The Commonwealth of Nations is an association of independent states, which includes Great Britain and many of its former dominions, colonies and protectorates. The countries that are members of this union do not have political power one above the other. It began in 1887, in 1926 the Balfour Declaration was adopted, and the status of the Commonwealth was fixed on December 11, 1931 (by the Statute of Westminster). After that, the Commonwealth resembled a kind of union of countries united with Great Britain by a personal union.

How it all started

The foundation was laid back in the 19th century, and in the early thirties of the 20th century, a statute was adopted defining the rights of a member state of the organization. According to a 1931 document, the British monarch is the head of every country that has recognized the Statute of Westminster and is part of British Commonwealth nations.

At the same time, the document established legal status Dominions, and put into effect the decisions of the 1926 and 1930 conferences. As a result, the dominions were recognized as virtually independent states, completely equal with Britain, the laws of England also could not apply to them without their consent.

In 1947, the situation changed: with the transformation of India into a republican country and the consequent refusal to recognize the British monarch as head of state, the foundations of unification had to be radically revised. The name has changed, as well as the goals of the organization - priority has become humanitarian missions, educational projects, etc.

On this moment the countries belonging to the Commonwealth of Nations (numbering 53) demonstrate a different approach to government. Of these, only 16 are Commonwealth realms that recognize Elizabeth II as head of state.

Member states

The path to the situation in the 21st century was long. States joined and left the union, suspended membership and renewed it (the example of Fiji, whose membership was suspended by the union due to problems with democracy in the country, is especially indicative here).

However, the process is still going on, shaping and reshaping the modern Commonwealth of Nations. The list of countries is given according to the information on the official website:

  • Antigua and Barbuda;
  • Bangladesh;
  • Botswana;
  • Canada;
  • Fiji (reinstated as a full member on 26 September 2014);
  • Guyana;
  • Kenya;
  • Malawi;
  • Malta;
  • Namibia;
  • Nigeria;
  • Rwanda;
  • Seychelles;
  • Solomon islands;
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis;
  • Tonga;
  • Uganda;
  • Vanuatu;
  • Australia;
  • Barbados;
  • Brunei;
  • Cyprus;
  • Ghana;
  • India;
  • Kiribati;
  • Malaysia;
  • Mauritius;
  • Nauru;
  • Pakistan;
  • Saint Lucia;
  • Sierra Leone;
  • South Africa;
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines;
  • Trinidad and Tobago;
  • Great Britain;
  • Zambia;
  • Bahamas;
  • Belize;
  • Cameroon;
  • Dominica;
  • Grenada;
  • Jamaica;
  • Lesotho;
  • Maldives;
  • Mozambique;
  • New Zealand;
  • Papua New Guinea;
  • Samoa;
  • Singapore;
  • Sri Lanka;
  • Swaziland;
  • Tuvalu;
  • Tanzania.

The countries of the Commonwealth of Nations are united not only by treaties and acts, but also culturally and linguistically: in 11 countries, English is one of the official languages, and in the other 11 it is the sole official language.

Commonwealth Government

As indicated on the official website, this is a voluntary association of countries with common values. Queen Elizabeth II formally heads the British Commonwealth of Nations (the list of member countries of this organization is one of the largest in the world), while the current administrative leadership is carried out by the Secretariat.

According to the form of government within the union, the distribution is as follows: 32 states are republics, 5 are national monarchies, and 16 recognize the head of the British queen, represented in each country by the governor general. However, it does not perform any formal functions or responsibilities.

Business

The Commonwealth of Nations list of countries is impressive - states are divided into four different categories, according to the World Bank classification (the ranking is updated annually, reflecting the gross national income per capita for the previous year). Of these, 11 are high-income, 14 are upper-middle, 18 are lower-middle, and 10 are low level GNI.

The countries of the Union are leaders in many industries around the world: examples include the extraction of precious stones and metals, information Technology, tourism.

Formation of the Commonwealth

The first member countries of the association were Great Britain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa. They joined the Commonwealth of Nations in 1931. Pakistan and India joined the union in 1947. Sri Lanka - in 1948. Together they form a list of states - the oldest members of the association.

Ghana joined in 1957.

In the sixties, the British Commonwealth of Nations received a new replenishment: Nigeria (1960), Sierra Leone and Tanzania (1961), Uganda (1962), Kenya (1963), Zambia (1964) joined the union. ). Next - Guyana, Botswana and Lesotho (1966), Swaziland (1968)

Bangladesh joined in 1972, Papua New Guinea in 1975.

And finally, Namibia (1990), Mozambique and Cameroon (1995), Rwanda (2009) completes the list of countries.

Population

In terms of population, the Commonwealth of Nations has 2.2 billion people. India is expected to lead with 1236.7 million. Pakistan, Nigeria and Bangladesh, which are approximately on the same level, are far behind it - 179.2 million, 168.8 million and 154.7 million, respectively. In fourth place, oddly enough, is Great Britain (all numbers and data are taken from the official website of the Commonwealth) - its population, according to the latest data, is 62.8 million people.

The vast area is inhabited by only 34.8 million, and mainland Australia belongs to 23.1 million people.

Health care and longevity

But in the field of health and well-being, everything is quite expected - the largest average in Australia and Singapore (82 years), Canada and New Zealand (81 years), the UK, Cyprus and Malta (80 years). In last place is Sierra Leone - only 45 years old (according to 2012).

The same country leads in terms of mortality of children and newborns, as well as mothers (according to data for 2010-2012). Moreover, Sierra Leone is a state with one of the highest birth rates in the Commonwealth.

Mozambique and Rwanda

For decades, various acts have been adopted and other documents have been drawn up that regulate the actions of the association, what is possible and what is not possible in it. There is no single document, like a constitution. The basis for entry is a connection with Great Britain - the road to membership in the Commonwealth is open to former colonies, protectorates and dominions. There were, however, two exceptions to this rule: Mozambique, a former colony of Portugal, and Rwanda, a former colony of Belgium and Germany.

The first one is one of the poorest countries in the world. Mozambique is a state that is part of the Commonwealth of Nations "not by right, but by grace." He got into the composition after all the neighbors-members of the association made a request to join Mozambique (this is one of the theories).

The background is as follows: after gaining independence in 1975, major reforms were carried out, and most of the Portuguese settlers were expelled. A civil war began, accompanied by serious casualties among the population and migration a large number refugees.

The war ended only in 1992 - no wonder that the country was in decline. Membership in the Commonwealth is generally beneficial for the state - this statement is true for Rwanda, which also managed to survive hard times (including genocide).

Role and goals in relation to its members

Today, the countries of the British Commonwealth of Nations conduct their activities in two directions - the dissemination of the principles and norms of democracy and the promotion of development. It is the second largest, after the UN, international union. English plays a very important unifying role, especially since now this language has become one of the ways of business communication.

Great Britain and others carry out various humanitarian missions within the framework of the union, provide support in the economic and other spheres. Although formally all member countries of the Commonwealth are independent, such assistance contributes to the influence of those who provide it to those who need it.

Britain's role within the union

Throughout history, from the formation of the association and beyond, the role and attitude of Great Britain towards this union has changed. In the first half of the 20th century, it was mentioned only as Over time, the priorities of politicians shifted towards the European Union, which looked very promising. However, in light of recent trends in the EU, the idea of ​​strengthening and developing ties may look more and more attractive, given how extensive the list of states that forms the Commonwealth of Nations is.

In support of this course, the behavior of Great Britain towards Australia can also be interpreted. In this country, supporters of the republican form of government have a very strong positions, and talk of leaving the Commonwealth is a regular occurrence.

Visits to Australia by members of the British royal family, as well as the wedding in 2011 of Prince William and Kate Middleton played a role in enhancing the prestige According to statements made by British diplomats in 2011, these visits negated the possibility of Australia becoming a republic in the near future.

The visit of Queen Elizabeth II and also the royal wedding fueled the interest of Australians, however, officials also said that Australian society in the future will strive to get out of the power of the queen, even if this power is only symbolic.

The British Foreign Office said in a statement that demographic changes in the country are leading to a reduction in the number of citizens who somehow feel their connection with England. At the same time, a large percentage of the population believes that the creation of a republic is an integral stage in the formation of a state.

Some other countries that are members of the Commonwealth of Nations, however, support the idea of ​​closer cooperation. Similar proposals have already been made, but they did not receive the support of the majority due to fears of British imperial ambitions.

The probability of integration is still low - too different level development is not conducive to complementarity of products produced, rather, countries at a lower level compete because they produce the same or similar goods. Nevertheless, they benefit from the support of the more developed. A serious disadvantage of the Commonwealth, however, is that it does not have strong mechanisms for influencing its members - the only option is to suspend membership in the organization.

COUNTRY TYPOLOGY. FORMS OF GOVERNMENT

BRITISH COMMONWEALTH

States within the Commonwealth . This is a special form state structure in member countries of the Commonwealth (British), which recognize the head of state of the Queen of Great Britain.


In 1931, Great Britain, which began to lose dependent territories, united its former and present colonies as part of the British Commonwealth of Nations, since 1947 it became known as the Commonwealth.

By the beginning of 2007, the Commonwealth included 53 independent states and territories dependent on Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand, in which 1.7 billion people lived (30% of the world population).

The head of the Commonwealth is the Queen of Great Britain. Most member countries of the Commonwealth republics (32), 6 - monarchies(Brunei, Lesotho, Malaysia, Swaziland, Samoa, Tonga), 16 countries recognize the Queen of Great Britain as head of state, i.e. formally are constitutional monarchies. The Commonwealth includes formally equal countries, but differing in level economic development, ethnic, religious composition of the population.

Member countries of the Commonwealth have single state language- English, similar systems of legislation, education, public service. All states that are members of the Commonwealth have full sovereignty in their internal and external affairs. commonwealth does not have a single constitution, no union-treaty agreements, no official attributes; it does not appear on international arena(for example, in the UN, in any international actions, etc.). The decisions of its annual conferences are not valid for a country that did not vote for them.

Members of the Commonwealth may be excluded from its composition for actions contrary to the charter (military coups, violation of human rights, civil wars ), and also have an unconditional right of unilateral exit. So, in 1972, the Commonwealth withdrew Pakistan, was re-admitted in 1989, expelled in 1999 and re-admitted in 2004. In 1961, expelled for the policy of apartheid South Africa, which re-entered in 1994. Fiji was expelled in 1987, membership was renewed in 1997, suspended in 2006, expelled in 1995 Nigeria, then re-adopted in 1999, excluded in 2002 by Zimbabwe.

The Commonwealth funds and organizes for its members international programs for the protection environment, education, scientific and technical cooperation, takes measures to increase mutual trade, etc.

Member countries of the British Commonwealth

№

Countries - members of the Commonwealth

head of state

Year of entry

Notes

1.

Antigua and Barbuda

Queen Elizabeth II

1981

2.

Australia

Queen Elizabeth II

1931

Dependent Territories: Fr. Norfolk, Territory of the Coral Sea Islands, Heard and McDonald Islands, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, about. Christmas, Ashmore and Cartier Islands

3.

Bahamas

Queen Elizabeth II

1973

4.

Bangladesh

The president

1972

5.

Barbados

Queen Elizabeth II

1966

6.

Belize

Queen Elizabeth II

1981

7.

Botswana

The president

1966

8.

Brunei

Sultan

1984

9.

Great Britain

Queen Elizabeth II

Dependent Territories: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territories, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Hendenson, about. St. Helena and administratively subordinate islands of Tristan da Cunha and Christmas, South. George and Yuzh. Sandwich Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands

10.

Vanuatu

The president

1980

11.

Ghana

The president

1957

12.

Guyana

The president

1966

13.

Gambia

The president

1965

14.

Grenada

Queen Elizabeth II

1974

15.

Dominica

The president

1978

16.

Samoa

head of state for life - Chief Malietoa Tanumafili II

1970

17.

Zambia

The president

1964

18.

Zimbabwe

The president

1980

Membership suspended in 2002, expelled in 2003

19.

India

The president

1947

20.

Cameroon

The president

1995

21.

Canada

Queen Elizabeth II

1931

22.

Kenya

The president

1963

23.

Cyprus

The president

1961

24.

Kiribati

The president

1979

25.

Lesotho

King

1966

26.

Mauritius

The president

1968

27.

Malawi

The president

1964

28.

Malaysia

Sultan

1957

29.

Maldives

The president

1982

30.

Malta

The president

1964

31.

Mozambique

The president

1995

32.

Namibia

The president

1990

33.

Nauru

The president

1968

34.

New Zealand

Queen Elizabeth II

1931

Tokelau, as well as self-governing states in free association with New Zealand - the Cook Islands and Niue

35.

Nigeria

The president

1960

Deleted in 1995, re-adopted in 1999.

36.

Pakistan

The president

1989

Withdrew in 1972, re-adopted in 1989, expelled after the military coup in 1999, re-adopted in 2004.

37.

Papua New Guinea

Queen Elizabeth II

1975

38.

Swaziland

King

1968

39.

Seychelles

The president

1976

40.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Queen Elizabeth II

1979

41.

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Queen Elizabeth II

1983

42.

Saint Lucia

Queen Elizabeth II

1979

43.

Singapore

The president

1965

44.

Solomon Islands

Queen Elizabeth II

1978

45.

Sierra Leone

The president

1961

46.

Tanzania

The president

1961

47.

Tonga

King

1973

48.

Trinidad and Tobago

The president

1962

49.

Tuvalu

Queen Elizabeth II

1978

50.

Uganda

The president

1962

51.

Fiji

The president

1997

Left in 1987, re-admitted in 1997, membership suspended in 2006 after a military coup

52.

Sri Lanka

The president

1948

53.

South Africa

The president

1994

Withdrew in 1961, re-adopted in 1994.

54.

Jamaica

Queen Elizabeth II

1962


(English) Commonwealth of Nations), abbreviated as simply commonwealth(English) The Commonwealth listen)) - uniting mainly countries that were formerly part of the British Empire. These countries, located on five continents, are connected with Great Britain by a common historical past and common declared values, such as democracy, equality, human rights and freedoms. Despite the difference in social, political and economic structure, the members of the Commonwealth are pursuing a course towards the development of friendly relations and comprehensive cooperation, recognizing the British monarch as the symbolic head of their unity.

History of the Commonwealth of Nations.

The modern Commonwealth of Nations was founded in 1949, but its roots date back to the late 19th century. As early as 1884, British diplomats began to speak of the British Empire as the Commonwealth of Nations. Despite the name change, this organization was then still not a voluntary association of equal states, which it is today. The colonial territories were still under the complete control of Britain.

In the twentieth century, colonies with a predominantly European population - Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa, was granted the status of dominions - actually independent states, while they became members of the British Commonwealth of Nations. When India and Pakistan gained independence in 1947, and Sri Lanka a year later, they agreed to join the existing group of five states in order to get to know their experience more closely. government controlled. After the republican form of government was established in India and it ceased to obey the British monarchy, it was necessary to radically revise fundamental principles organizations. The "British Commonwealth of Nations" was renamed the "Commonwealth of Nations", and the Declaration of London adopted in 1949 marked the beginning of the existence of the organization in its modern form as a voluntary association of free and independent states.

During the second half of the twentieth century, numerous British colonies gained independence and almost all of them decided to join the Commonwealth of Nations. The number of members of the organization has grown from eight countries to 53. The last two countries to join, Mozambique and Rwanda, had no prior ties to the British Empire. However, not all countries participate continuously in the Commonwealth. When a republican form of government was proclaimed in South Africa in the early 1960s, the new government's bid was rejected due to human rights violations. After the end of the apartheid regime, South Africa was allowed to renew its membership in 1994. Pakistan withdrew in 1972 to protest the Commonwealth's recognition of Bangladesh as an independent state, but rejoined the organization in 1989. Due to human rights violations, Zimbabwe's membership was suspended in 2002. The Gambia left the Commonwealth in 2013, calling this organization an institution of neo-colonialism, but returned four years later, on February 8, 2018. Finally, in 2016, the Maldives announced its decision to withdraw from the Commonwealth due to the organization's interference in internal affairs.

Goals and objectives of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Initially, the purpose of creating the Commonwealth of Nations was to maintain the stability of the system international trade, built by the British Empire, and later it helped to ensure a smooth transition from colonial trade and economic relations to new capitalist ones. During cold war The Commonwealth was used by Britain as an additional channel to counter the communist movements in their former colonies in the Third World. Today, the Commonwealth is a kind of international forum in which the highly developed economies (such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Singapore, and New Zealand) and many of the world's poorer countries seek to reach agreement on the basis of consensus.

The Commonwealth Heads of State meeting in Singapore in January 1971 adopted a declaration of principles confirming the organization's commitment to international peace and order, promoting personal freedom, promoting equality and countering discrimination; the fight against poverty, ignorance and disease; development of international trade and cooperation. The Commonwealth's current priorities, as stated in the 2003 Azorok Declaration, are the promotion of democracy, good governance, human rights, gender equality and a more equitable distribution of the benefits of globalization.

Membership Criteria.

The existing membership criteria are defined in the Kampala Communiqué adopted at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. This document removed the requirement that applicants must have been part of the British Empire in the past. In fact, two Commonwealth members, Mozambique and Rwanda, have never been part of the British Empire.

The main criteria for admission to the Commonwealth are as follows:

  • the applicant country must, as a rule, have a historical constitutional association with an existing member of the Commonwealth, except in exceptional circumstances - in which case applications must be considered on an individual basis;
  • the applicant country must accept and comply with the core values, principles and priorities of the Commonwealth;
  • the applicant country must demonstrate commitment to: democracy and democratic processes; rule of law and independence judiciary; as well as the protection of human rights, freedom of expression and equality of opportunity;
  • the applicant country must accept the rules and conventions of the Commonwealth, such as the use in English as a means of intra-community communication and to recognize Queen Elizabeth II as Head of the Commonwealth.

Organization structure.

Head of the Commonwealth.

Until 1949, King George VI of the United Kingdom was the head of all eight members of the British Commonwealth. India, however, despite the establishment of a republican form of government, declared its desire to continue full membership in the Commonwealth. At the fourth conference of heads of government, the members of the organization decided to meet her halfway by adopting the London Declaration, in which they agreed that in the Commonwealth the king would be given a new role - not a common head, but "a symbol of the free association of independent states and as such the head of the Commonwealth."

The title "Head of the Commonwealth" has become part of the royal title in each of the 16 states that recognize the King of the United Kingdom as their monarch. However, the title is not hereditary - after the death of the monarch, the heir to the crown does not automatically become the head of the Commonwealth.

IN currently the title is eldest daughter George VI, Queen Elizabeth II. At the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, Charles, Prince of Wales was named her official successor.

Meeting of heads of government of the Commonwealth countries.

The main forum for decision-making of this organization is the Meeting of the Heads of Government of the Commonwealth countries, convened every two years. The heads of government of participating countries, including (among others) prime ministers and presidents, meet for several days to discuss issues of mutual interest. The Heads of Government Conference is the successor to the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Meetings, and earlier the Imperial and Colonial Conferences, held since 1887. Regular meetings of finance ministers, ministers of justice, ministers of health, etc. are also convened. Indebted members of the organization cannot send representatives to either the meeting of heads of government or ministerial meetings.

The head of government of the state hosting the Conference is called the current Chairman of the Commonwealth and retains this position until the next Conference. At the Heads of Government Meeting, held from 18 to 20 April 2018 in London, the Prime Minister of Great Britain was the Chairman-in-Office Theresa May and she will remain in that position until the next Meeting, due to be held in 2020 in Rwanda.

Commonwealth Secretariat.

The Commonwealth Secretariat is the main intergovernmental body and central institution of the Commonwealth of Nations. The secretariat was founded by decision of the Ministerial Council in June 1965 to promote cooperation among members; organizing high-level meetings of the Commonwealth countries; providing assistance and advisory support on policy development and its implementation in the member countries of the Commonwealth. The secretariat also provides technical support governments in order to promote the socio-economic development of their countries and promote the fundamental political values ​​of the Commonwealth.

The Commonwealth Secretariat has observer status in General Assembly United Nations. It is located at Marlborough House in London, UK, in a former royal residence granted to it by Queen Elizabeth II, Head of the Commonwealth.

The secretariat is headed General Secretary Commonwealth, which is elected by the heads of government of the Commonwealth for a term of four years, no more than twice. General Secretary and his two deputies supervise the work of eleven branches and three special units members of the Secretariat.

Commonwealth Games.

The Commonwealth Games are international sports competitions of member countries of the Commonwealth of Nations. The competition was first held in 1930 and has since been held every four years in different Commonwealth cities. The Commonwealth Games from 1930 to 1950 were known as the British Empire Games, from 1954 to 1966 the British Empire and Commonwealth Games, and from 1970 to 1974 the British Commonwealth Games. The 2018 Commonwealth Games were held from 4 to 15 April in the Gold Coast, Australia.

The host country must include at least 10 sports disciplines in the program of the games, including: athletics, badminton, boxing (men only), grass bowling, netball (women only), rugby sevens (men only), water sports sports, hockey, squash and weightlifting. In addition, the program of games may include sports such as archery, gymnastics, judo, rowing, basketball, cycling, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, triathlon.

Commonwealth Day.

Commonwealth Day is an annual holiday commemorating the anniversary of the Commonwealth of Nations. This day was first celebrated in 1902, on January 22, on the birthday of Queen Victoria and was then called Empire Day. Its original purpose was to be "a symbol of unity of feeling ... towards those ideals of freedom, justice and tolerance which the British Empire upholds throughout the world." In 1958, Empire Day was renamed Commonwealth Day, and in 1974 its date was moved to the second Monday in March.

Commonwealth Day is a public holiday in some Commonwealth countries, but not in the UK itself. On this day, a multi-denominational service is held at Westminster Abbey, usually attended by Queen Elizabeth II as head of the Commonwealth along with the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, as well as representatives from each member state. The Queen delivers an address to the Commonwealth countries, which is broadcast around the world.

Commonwealth of Nations British Commonwealth of Nations- an association of independent states that were previously part of the British Empire, recognizing the British monarch as a symbol of free unity.
The Commonwealth includes (at the end of 2009): Great Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Malaysia, Singapore, Cyprus, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago , Uganda, Kenya, Zambia, Cameroon, Mozambique, Namibia, Malawi, Malta, Gambia, Botswana, Guyana, Lesotho, Barbados, Mauritius, Swaziland, Nauru, Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, Bangladesh, Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Dominica, Saint Lucia, Kiribati, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Zimbabwe, Belize, Antigua and Barbuda, Maldives, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Brunei, Vanuatu, Rwanda.
The British Commonwealth of Nations came to replace the British Empire, which since the beginning of the 20th century. began to gradually lose their colonies.
At first, overseas territories inhabited mainly by British colonists lost their character of colonies. The status of a dominion, that is, a self-governing territory, was received by Canada - from 1867, Australia - from 1901, New Zealand - from 1907. Subsequently, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and some other colonies with the local population became dominions. In 1931, a separate act of parliament replaced the term "empire" with the concept of Commonwealth (Commonwealth). The British Commonwealth of Nations was formed, that is, a union of formally equal states based on "common allegiance to the crown." In 1949-1952 in organizational structures The Commonwealth has undergone significant changes aimed at asserting the sovereignty of its members. The term "British" has been dropped from the name of the Commonwealth, and the principle of allegiance to the crown is mandatory. Since 1965 governing body The Commonwealth of Nations became a conference of its members. Under the Secretary General of the Commonwealth, a permanent secretariat began to function. He took over the functions of the former Cabinet of Ministers of Great Britain and the Commonwealth Office, which was liquidated after the formation of the secretariat.
The British Empire began to evolve since the time of the Balfour Declaration, which was proclaimed at the Imperial Conference in 1926 and was formalized in the Declaration of the Statute of Westminster in 1931.
During the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, the collapse of the British Empire was completed - and the Commonwealth of Nations was completely formalized, which united most of the former British possessions. Now main role head of the Commonwealth, which is now the queen, it became necessary to maintain relations between the Commonwealth countries among themselves and with the former mother country. The queen often played important role in restoring broken relations with the Commonwealth countries and smoothing out contradictions.
In 2007, secret documents were discovered showing that in 1956 French Prime Minister Guy Mollet and British Prime Minister Anthony Eden discussed the possibility of an alliance between Britain and France. At the same time, it was not excluded that Elizabeth II could become the head of state in France. [Source?]
As a constitutional monarch, Elizabeth II should not publicly express her political likes or dislikes. She has always complied with this rule, acting non-publicly - therefore her political views remain unclear. But there is evidence that the queen is leaning towards the so-called "One Nation" view. During the reign of Margaret Thatcher, it was known that the Queen was worried that her policies could lead to serious social problems. Margaret Thatcher is known to have once said: "The problem is that the Queen is the type of woman who can vote for the Social Democratic Party."

british automotive Rolls-Royce company today is working on the creation of a new coupe called Ghost. The company is positioning the new super car as the fastest car in the history of the "elite" brand.

The Commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary interstate association headed by. In addition to the UK itself, the composition includes almost all of its former colonies, protectorates, dominions, as well as Cameroon, Mozambique, Namibia and Rwanda. To date, there are 53 member countries of the Commonwealth of Nations in the world. The head of the Commonwealth is the monarch of Great Britain.

The basis of the Commonwealth is the recognition of the equal status of each of the states, independent of each other in any aspect of its internal or foreign policy, despite the fact that these states are brought together by a common allegiance to the Crown and free membership in the British Commonwealth of Nations.

British Dependent Territories - 14 countries that are under the sovereignty of Great Britain, however, are not part of the monarchy. Unlike the voluntary Commonwealth of Nations, these states and their territories are under British control. Before the introduction of the official term "Dependent territories of Great Britain" in 2002, these countries were called "colonies".

If you are, for example, then you will be asked the question, “Have you visited the UK, the Commonwealth countries or the British Dependencies in the last 10 years?”. If you have visited one of the countries below, you should indicate this on your UK visa application form.

Commonwealth countries

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British dependencies

  • Anguilla
  • Bermuda
  • British Antarctic Territory
  • British Indian Ocean Territory
  • British Virgin Islands
  • Cayman Islands
  • Falkland Islands

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