Pro-European is a subjective term applied to a person who supports the European Union (EU) and/or further European integration, specifically in the context of political argument over the current and future status of the EU and its policies.

Antonyms include eurosceptic, anti-European and the pejorative Europhobe.

The Pro-European approach

Many pro-Europeans believe that strength in unity is particularly important in today's multipolar world. They argue that a united and independent Europe has become increasingly necessary, while a politically divided one would bring disadvantages in many areas, including economic, cultural, political, social, scientific, diplomatic and military.

Pro-European arguments often refer to what they see as the benefits of the EU to its member states, but such 'cost / benefit' assessments are not generally the only arguments to motivate them, as they also feel they belong to a community of people with common bonds.

Although pro-Europeans may not be satisfied with every aspect of the present organization and workings of the EU institutions, they generally argue that the solution to any remaining problems lies not in destroying what has been built, but in pushing for improvements in terms of unity, transparency and democracy.

Pro-European political parties in the United Kingdom

• Liberal Democrats
• Labour Party

'Pro-European' vs 'Pro-EU'

Some people have argued that it is too simplistic to conflate the terms 'Europe' and 'EU'. It is argued that the term 'pro-European' should refer to someone who is in favour of European co-operation and cultural interchange in the wider geographical sense (which many eurosceptics claim to be), while 'pro-EU' should be reserved for those who specifically support the co-operative political structure of the European Union. Despite this distinction, 'pro-EU' and 'pro-European' are used interchangeably in informal speech to refer to someone who is positive about the European Union.

See also

• Britain in Europe
• Young European Movement
• Europeanist
• Europhile

External links

International

• European Union
• EU Benefits

United Kingdom specific

• Britain in Europe
• Young European Movement
• New Europe - Pro-European, against the Euro
• European Movement