EUROPEAN UNION

ANGELA CYRIL ADIVOSO

BRIEF BACKGROUND ON EU It is an economic and

political partnership between 28 European countries.

Built during the aftermath of World War II

Promotes economic interdependence among countries.

The result was the

establishment of European Economic Community in 1958 starting with the six European countries:

1. Italy 2. Germany3. Luxembourg4. Netherlands5. France6. Belgium

BRIEF BACKGROUND ON EU The cooperation in economy spread in other

areas such as development aid, and environment, and as a reflection the name change to European Union in 1993.

Cooperation in soft politics evolved to cooperation in higher politics; cooperation in policy making areas.

It is base on the rules of law and every policies undergo discussions and is agreed by all Member States.

BRIEF BACKGROUND ON EU To make more improvements with their

economy, they launched the single European currency known as Euro.

Human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights: these are the core values of the EU.

The abolition of border controls allowed people to travel freely, and it becomes easier for people to live and work abroad in Europe.

European Borders

EU SYMBOLS

EU SYMBOLS The 12 stars in the flag symbolizes the the

ideals of unity, harmony, solidarity among the people of Europe.

The European anthem comes from the Ninth Symphony composed in 1823 by Ludwig Van Beethoven.

EU Motto: "United in diversity" is the motto of the European Union.

- signifies the prosperity and peace amidst their difference in cultures, traditions, and languages.

THE ECONOMY The EU's economy — measured in terms of

the goods and services it produces (GDP) — is now bigger than the US's: EU GDP in 2014: €13,920,541 million

With 7% of the world’s population, their trade eith the world accounts for 20% of global exports and imports

Data shows that Men has most employment than women.

Education, training & youth The new Erasmus+, programe is designed to

tackle youth unemployment by improving young people's skills and employability.

A total budget – €14.7 Billion for youth.

It will help over 4 million youths to study, train, gain work experience or volunteer abroad.

It will also help over 125,000 organisations to work with counterparts abroad on innovating and modernising teaching and youth work practices.

Language in Europe The EU promotes the linguistic and cultural

diversity of its peoples. It does so by supporting the teaching and learning of their languages.

The EU’s ambitious goal is to enable citizens to be fluent in two languages in addition to their mother tongue.

The EU institutions work with 23 official languages.

EUROPEAN UNION MEMBER STATE

There are over 28 Member States in European Union, 5 candidate countries, and two potential candidates.

28 MEMBER STATES1. Austria (1995)

2. Belgium (1958)

3. Bulgaria (2007)

4. Cyprus (2004)

5. Croatia (2013)

6. Czech Republic (2004)

7. Denmark (1973)

8. Estonia (2004)

9. Finland (1995)

10. France (1958)

11. Germany (1958)

12. Greece (1981)

13. Hungary (2004)

14. Ireland (1973)

15. Italy (1958)

16. Latvia (2004)

17. Lithuania (2004)

18. Luxembourg (1958)

19. Malta (2004)

20. Netherlands (1958)

21. Poland (2004)

22. Portugal (1986)

23. Romania (2007)

24. Slovakia (2004)

25. Slovenia (2004)

26. Spain (1986)

27. Sweden (1995)

28. United Kingdom (1973)

EUROPEAN UNION

5 CANDIDATE COUNTRIES

1. Albania2. The former Yugoslav Republic of

Macedonia3. Montenegro4. Serbia5. Turkey

2 POTENTIAL CANDIDATES1. Bosnia and Herzegovina

2. Kosovo - This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/99 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence

EU ENLARGEMENT For the past 50 years, the Member States of

EU grew from 6 to 28 countries.

But not all countries can join. The organization has standards pertaining to its enlargement policy.

- The Treaty on European Union states that any European country may apply for membership if it respects the EU's democratic values and is committed to promoting them.

EU ENLARGEMENT But countries must meet certain criteria: Political – must have stable government

respecting human rights and rule of law

Economy – must have a competitive nature and can cope with the economic pressure within EU.

Legal - must accept EU law and practice – especially the major goals of political, economic and monetary union.

EU ENLARGEMENT The membership has three stages:1. EU will offer the prospect of membership to

the country.

2. Then the country will be an official candidate for membership.

3. The candidate country will undergo formal membership negotiations, wherein they reform internal policies and laws to better fit the EU law and practice.

EU INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES There are 14 major institutions in EU and 3 of

the main institutions are headed by a President.

The three main institutions are:• European Parliament• European Commission• European Council

EU INSTITUTIONS AND BODIESEuropean Parliament – has three main role: legislative, supervisory, and budgetary. “The law-making body” The President is elected by the Members of

the European Parliament. They have 751 MEMBERS in the Parliament. Current President: Martin Schulz 2014-2017 Office location - Strasbourg, France/ Brussels,

Belgium; Luxembourg

EU INSTITUTIONS AND BODIESEuropean Council - defines the general political direction and priorities of the European Union. Sets foreign and security policies. The president is elected by the Council for a

two and half year term. The president of the Council represents EU in security and foreign issues.

They only meet 4 times a year or in some cases when they need to address a pressing issue.

Current President: Donald Tusk 2014-2017 Office location: Brussels, Belgium

EU INSTITUTIONS AND BODIESEuropean Commission – propose new laws to Parliament, manages EU policies and allocation of budget, enforcer of EU law, represents EU internationally. The candidates are selected by the EUROPEAN

COUNCIL. On the other hand, the EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT vote for the presidential position of the EUROPEAN COMMISSION.

Carries the day-to-day job of the EU. Current President: Jean-Claude Juncker 2014-

2019 Office Location: Brussels, Belgium

EU INSTITUTIONS AND BODIESCouncil of the European Union – gathers the voice of EU member governments, adopting EU laws and coordinating EU policies. The presidential position is on a six months

rotating basis among the EU countries. The members of this Council are Government Ministers from each EU country. these ministers commit their government to follow the policies agreed on the meetings.

This council cooperate with the three main EU institutions in making policies.

Location: Brussels, Belgium

EU INSTITUTIONS AND BODIESOther EU intitutions and bodies: Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) European Central Bank (ECB) European Court of Auditors (ECA) European External Action Service (EEAS) European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) Committee of the Regions (CoR) European Investment Bank (EIB) European Ombudsman European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) Interinstitutional bodies

Money and the EUHOW IS EU FUNDED?- EU receives a percentage of each Member

Country’s Gross National Income, from import duties outside EU, and from the taxes levied by each country.

- The euro – used every day by some 338.6 million Europeans. Euro becomes a convenience to anyone travelling abroad or shopping online on websites based in another EU country.

TRIVIA!!!Why won’t United Kingdom use Euro as its currency?- They do not like to abdicate the control of

their own interest rate policy. Which would happen if they join the Eurozone.

- UK would have a problem with pounds sterling exchange rate.

- UK has a problem with meeting the euro convergence criteria, which includes maintaining a debt-to-GDP ratio that limits British Fiscal Policy.

HISTORY: The Founding Fathers of EU Konrad Adenauer | Joseph Bech | Johan Willem

Beyen | Winston Churchill | Alcide De Gasperi | Walter Hallstein | Sicco Mansholt | Jean Monnet | Robert Schuman | Paul-Henri Spaak | Altiero Spinelli

They inspired the creation of EU. Most of them are freedom fighters, lawyers, etc.

They might be different in some aspects but they all agreed in building a peaceful, unified, and prosperous Europe.

HISTORY: A peaceful Europe – the beginnings of cooperationFROM 1945 – 1959 The historical roots lies after the Second World War to

prevent killings among the countries.

But during the Cold War period, Europe was divided into West and East Europe for forty years.

It is the West Europe who created the Council of Europe in 1949.

In 9 May1950, French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman presented a plan deeper cooperation in Europe. May 9 is celebrated today as “Europe Day”.

HISTORY: A period of economic growth FROM 1960-1969 July 1962 – the common agricultural policy

gave countries control over their food production. Farmers are paid same price as their produce.

The ‘Beatle mania’ also happened in this time. It created gaps between youth and adults.

HISTORY: A growing communityFROM 1970-1979 The use of Euro as EU currency started. To maintain monetary stability, EU members

decide to allow their currencies to fluctuate against each other only within narrow limits.

Cooperation in fighting pollution flourished among Member States.

HISTORY: The changing face of Europe – the fall of the Berlin WallFROM 1980-1989 Berlin wall collapses and Germany opened its

borders to the EU countries.

HISTORY: Europe without frontiersFROM 1990-1999 Yugoslavia break apart and conflicts erupted

in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina where ethnic groups such as Croats, Serbs, and Muslims fight in a bloody civil war.

The single market and its four freedoms are established: the free movement of goods, services, people and money is now a reality. 

Treaty of Amsterdam – gives right of citizens to employement.

HISTORY: Further expansionFROM 2000-TODAY The fight to terrorism dominated the security,

and foreign policy of EU. Peacekeeping operations in the Balkans. Implementation of Kyoto Protocol in EU. In 2008, a major financial crisis hits the world

economy. The problems start with mortgage loans in the United States. Several European banks also experience difficulties. The crisis leads to closer economic cooperation between EU countries.

REFERENCES:Retrived from: http://europa.eu/about-eu/index_en.htm

Retrived from: http://europa.eu/kids-corner/countries/flash/index_en.htm

Retrieved from: http://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/100314/why-doesnt-england-use-euro.asp