[...]
>>lots about fugitives
>>anti discrimination definitions
>>smoking/drinking allowed in the open and in advertising
>>labeling of food
>>security rules for toys, cars, el. equipment, food, food preparation...
>>
>>you might spend a few H just reading
>>
>>http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/index.htm
>>
>>if you understand a smattering of german, in
>>http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/EG-Richtlinie
>>is a list of wildy different topics, no idea how it was selected.
>>
>>Yes you can argue it helps make sure you don't get nasty surprizes in law when switching countries, any islands of "freedom" from rules found elsewhere are eradicated. Hopefully Herbert's BuSab will rescue us from a world government.
>
>
>Thank you for taking the time to collect that. You have answered my basic question. Obviously my perception of the EU as an economic coalition was too limiting, even today.

But the moment you hear about a 'EU minister of foreign affairs' (as an example) cooperation has gone too far. That's my POV.