The fact remains that even in its present condition, the EU fails to cover the same geographic territory as the Roman Empire did in any of its history. It would be just as plausible to claim that an Islamic caliphate is the prophesied ten horns. Or, that a renewed Russian empire with Orthodoxy is the manifestation of the ten horns.
I agree, but we must add in the Nations he conquers in Dan. 11:40-43. Ever hear of the European Neighborhood Policy? Its an agreement between the E.U. and Israel, but also between every nation on the Mediterranean Coastline, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco. Their goals as stated (wiki shows it all) is to try to develop closer ties with these nations and the maybe see some of the nations someday as worthy to become partners (join the E.U.). These agreements ran from 2007-2013 and from 2014-2020 or in 7 year cycles.
In Dan. 8:9 we see this Little Horn conquers towards the east, south and Israel. So, he's going to conquer Turkey (Seleucus) and Egypt (all of North Africa according to Dan. 11) trying to be brief, but these scriptures below ties it all together.
Dan 11:40 And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the
king of the north(A.C.) shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and
he shall enter into the countries(not just Israel, he conquers Turkey, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan to get at Israel, the big prize) , and shall
overflow and pass over.
41
He shall enter also into the glorious land(Israel), and
many countries shall be overthrown(This is THE MANY of Dan. 8:25 and 9:27): but
these shall escape out of his hand, even
Edom, and
Moab, and the chief of the children of
Ammon.
( So, he is not allowed to conquer Central & Southern Jordan, where the children of Israel flee unto in the Petra/Bozrah area)
42 He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of
Egypt shall not escape.
43 But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of
Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.
So, you are very perceptive, the E.U. by itself can not be a Beast until it fulfills what the other Beasts fulfilled, conquering Israel and the Mediterranean Sea Region. So, add in Turkey to the above nations and that is Old Rome circa 117 AD.
Of course they can't be a Beast until they go forth conquering.