EBC Press Release
March 22, 2007

EBC Joins in Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the European Union

The European Business Council in Japan (EBC) is delighted to join the celebrations on 25th
March 2007 of the 50th Anniversary of the signing of the Treaties of Rome.
These Treaties established the “European Economic Community” and paved the way for a
new era of peace and stability in the region. The six founding Member States set out toboost prosperity through competition in an internal market without borders, enabling thefree movement of people, services, capital and goods. Ultimately this led to the creation ofthe European Union we have today, whose 491 million people in 27 Member States
together share the benefits of increased economic integration and security, growth and jobs.
European business has long been a strong supporter of the European project and contributor
to its goals. It has greatly gained from the creation of the internal market, from the size ofthat market, from the common currency and from the uniform rules that the EuropeanUnion now offers to all companies operating within its borders. While many challenges
remain in ensuring the continuing vigour and strength of the Union, companies in Europe,
from both home and abroad, today have much to celebrate.
About the EBC:The European Business Council (EBC) is the trade policy arm of the 18 European nationalchambers of commerce and business associations in Japan. Established in 1972, the EBC
works to improve the trade and investment environment for European companies in Japan.
The EBC currently represents more than 3,000 local European companies and individuals
who are members of their national chambers of commerce. Some 350 of these companies
participate directly in the EBC’s 29 sector-based committees.
For more information, please contact:
European Business Council (EBC)
Tel: +81-3-3263-6222
E-mail: ebc@gol.com

EBC Press Release
March 22, 2007

EBC、欧州連合 50 周年記念式典に参加

欧州ビジネス協会（EBC）は、2007 年 3 月 25 日に開かれるローマ条約の調印 50 周年記念式典に参加することを喜ばしく思います。ローマ条約は「欧州経済共同体」を設立し、欧州の平和と安定の新時代への道を開きました。6 カ国の原加盟国は、人やサービス、資本、モノの自由な移動を可能にする、国境のない域内市場における競争を通じ繁栄を後押しすることを目指しました。これはやがて現在の欧州連合の創設へとつながり、今では 27 の加盟国の 4 億 9100 万人の人々が、経済統合・安全保障・経済成長・雇用の拡大の恩恵に共に与っています。欧州企業はかねてから、この欧州プロジェクトの強力なサポーターであり、その目標への貢献者となってきました。欧州企業は、域内市場の創設、域内市場の規模、共通の通貨、そして、欧州連合が現在、域内で活動するすべての企業に適用する統一規則から恩恵をこうむってきました。欧州連合の継続的な活力と強みを確保する面で依然多くの課題が残っているとはいえ、欧州で活動する企業は、欧州企業・外国企業を問わず、この記念すべき日を大いに祝うべきです。

EBCについて：
欧州ビジネス協会（EBC）は欧州 18 ヶ国の在日商工会議所・ビジネス協会にとっての通商政策部門であり、1972 年に設立されて以来、在日欧州企業にとっての通商・投資環境の改善を目指し、活動を続けている。EBC の会員は法人と個人を合わせ現在 3000 を超しているが、会員はすべて各国の商工会議所に所属し、日本で活動している。会員企業の中で約 350 社が、EBC の 29 の産業別委員会に直接参加している。
詳細についてのお問い合わせ先：
欧州ビジネス協会（EBC）
電話: +81-3-3263-6222 E メール: ebc@gol.com

EBC Press Release
March 22, 2007

Background notes:
The Rome Treaties were ratified by six founding Member States: Belgium, France,Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and The Netherlands.
Today the 27 Member States of the European Union are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary,Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal,Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom.
There are currently three official candidate countries: Croatia, FYROM (the FormerYugoslav Republic of Macedonia) and Turkey.

Main Indicators for EU-27
Population 2007

491.2 million

GDP 2006

10,895 billion euro

GDP per capita 2006

22,153 euro

FDI Inflows 2005* excluding intra EU-25 flows

69,789 million euro

FDI Outflows 2005* excluding intra EU-25 flows

152,541 million euro* data for EU-25 only (excludes Romania and Bulgaria)
Source: Eurostat, European Commission

EU’s real GDP growthYearReal GDP (%growth)

2003

2004

2005

2006

1.3% 1.3% 2.5% 1.8%

Source: Source: Eurostat, European Commission