Editing History of the European Union (section)

== 2008–2016: European crisis ==
{{Main|European debt crisis|European migrant crisis|Great Recession in Europe}}
However, trouble developed with existing members as the [[eurozone]] entered its first recession in 2008.<ref>[http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1231409822.27/ EU data confirms eurozone's first recession] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101230075057/http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1231409822.27/ |date=30 December 2010 }}, EUbusiness.com, 8 January 2009</ref> Members cooperated and the ECB intervened to help restore economic growth and the euro was seen as a safe haven, particularly by those outside such as Iceland.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1223856121.86 |title=European leaders agree crisis rescue at summit |publisher=Eubusiness.com |access-date=2 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013134028/http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1223856121.86 |archive-date=13 October 2008}}</ref><ref name="Oakley17">Oakley, David and Ralph Atkins (17 September 2009) [http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/0cf1c0ee-a3b5-11de-9fed-00144feabdc0.html Eurozone shows its strength in a crisis], [[Financial Times]]</ref><ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/jan/30/iceland-join-eu Iceland to be fast-tracked into the EU], the Guardian</ref> With the risk of a default in [[European debt crisis|Greece, Ireland, Portugal and other members in late 2009–10]], eurozone leaders agreed to provisions for loans to member states who could not raise funds. Accusations that this was a U-turn on the EU treaties, which rule out any bail out of a euro member in order to encourage them to manage their finances better, were countered by the argument that these were loans, not grants, and that neither the EU nor other Member States assumed any liabilities for the debts of the aided countries. With [[Greek government-debt crisis|Greece struggling to restore its finances]], other member states also at risk and the repercussions this would have on the rest of the eurozone economy, a loan mechanism was agreed. The crisis also spurred consensus for further economic integration and a range of proposals such as a [[European Monetary Fund]] or federal treasury.<ref>Willis, Andrew (25 March 2010) [http://euobserver.com/9/29773 Eurozone leaders agree on Franco-German bail-out mechanism], EU Observer</ref><ref>[http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/article/190221-eurozone-overhaul Eurozone overhaul] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100214114000/http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/article/190221-eurozone-overhaul |date=14 February 2010 }} Die Zeit on [[Presseurop]], 12 February 2010</ref><ref name="EMF 1">[http://euobserver.com/9/29623 Plans emerge for 'European Monetary Fund'] EU Observer</ref>

The European Union received the [[2012 Nobel Peace Prize]] for having "contributed to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and [[human rights in Europe]]."<ref>{{citation|url=https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2012/|title=The Nobel Peace Prize 2012|publisher=Nobelprize.org|date=12 October 2012|access-date=12 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{citation|title=Nobel Committee Awards Peace Prize to E.U.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/13/world/nobel-peace-prize.html?_r=0|work=New York Times|date=12 October 2012|access-date=12 October 2012}}</ref> The [[Nobel Committee]] stated that "that dreadful suffering in [[World War II]] demonstrated the need for a new Europe [...] today war between Germany and France is unthinkable. This shows how, through well-aimed efforts and by building up mutual confidence, historical enemies can become close partners."<ref>{{citation|url=https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2012/press.html|title=The Nobel Peace Prize for 2012|publisher=Nobelprize.org|date=12 October 2012|access-date=12 October 2012}}</ref> The Nobel Committee's decision was subject to considerable criticism.<ref name="Gaspers FPC">{{cite web |url=http://fpc.org.uk/fsblob/1521.pdf |title=The European Union and the Nobel Peace Prize: A Criteria-Based Assessment |last=Gaspers |first=Jan |date=December 2012 |access-date=19 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203121231/http://fpc.org.uk/fsblob/1521.pdf |archive-date=3 February 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On 1 July 2013, Croatia [[2013 enlargement of the European Union|joined the EU]], and on 1 January 2014 the French [[Indian Ocean]] territory of [[Mayotte]] was added as an outermost region.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2012:204:0131:0131:EN:PDF|title=EUROPEAN COUNCIL DECISION of 11 July 2012 amending the status of Mayotte with regard to the European Union|work=europa.eu}}</ref>