They are not the same, however to be in EASA one requires to be in the EU, any state can adopt EASA, the EU 'makes the rules', Brits will not like that one bit
So if the EU makes the rules then how come 60+ y/o pilots can operate in and/or /overfly most EU countries except France and Italy?
Is this much the same as Mad Cow Disease, France (not the EU) blockaded British beef transits long after EU had lifted the ban whilst France had their own Mad Cows all along?