For those trying to protect Germany: let me remind you for what reason the European Community was formed --> to avoid another WW. 
EU as an instituion sucks. Don't think its only good for poorer countries, cuz it doesn't. Since we have a common market, our weaker firms have to compete richer countries' firms. And it is the poorer ones who had to harmonize our legal, burocratic, etc. sytems to join, which also sucks for us. The EU gives money NOT to grow grape, corn, etc...so the EU15 (rich group) can preserve its privilages of growing them. Plus a hungarian agriculterer get 30% of subsidy that of a french. The situation is a LITTLE more complicated than rich countries give money for poor countries.
Overall, you are right, but given the fact that besides the 15, nobody GIVES money but only receives it and of the 15, Germany pays the big lump of the money, you are wrong.
And, the hungarian farmer only gets 30% because Hungary doesn't pay anything near France and also the prices are much lower in Hungary.
And, another fact, EVERY country in the EU had huuuuge adoptions to make, and EU law is basically total bullshit, thinks of the law that cucumbers have to be straight, or that every hill 120m above sea level needs a lift.

EU makes stupid laws just to make laws, to justify itself. The EU would be better off with just the core countries, the only thing that pays off is what you stated above, that the market has grown a lot for big companies that sell worldwide. They can sell without additional taxes or currency related problems inside the EU, but that doesn't pay for smaller businesses all over the EU, even in Germany or France or GB.