EUROPEAN UNION

INTRODUCTION:
The European Union (EU) is an economic and political entity and confederation of 27 member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) and the European Economic Community (EEC), formed by six countries in 1951 and 1958 respectively. In the intervening years the EU has grown in size by the accession of new member states and in power by the addition of policy areas to its remit. The Maastricht Treaty established the European Union under its current name in 1993. The latest amendment to the constitutional basis of the EU, the Treaty of Lisbon, came into force in 2009. The EU operates through a system of supranational independent institutions and intergovernmental negotiated decisions by the member states. Important institutions of the EU include the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, the European Council, the Court of Justice of the European Union, and the European Central Bank. The European Parliament is elected every five years by EU citizens. The EU has developed a single market through a standardised system of laws which apply in all member states. Within the Schengen Area (which includes 22 EU and 4 non-EU states) passport controls have been abolished. EU policies aim to ensure the free movement of people, goods, services, and capital, enact legislation in justice and home affairs, and maintain common policies on trade, agriculture, fisheries and regional development. A monetary union, the eurozone, was established in 1999 and is composed of 17 member states. Through the Common Foreign and Security Policy the EU has developed a limited role in external relations and defence. Permanent diplomatic missions have been established around the world. The EU is represented at the United Nations, the WTO, the G8 and the G-20. With a combined population of over 500 million inhabitants, or 7.3% of the world population, the EU, in 2011, generated a nominal gross domestic product (GDP) of 17.6 trillion US dollars, representing approximately 20% of the global GDP when measured in terms of purchasing power parity.

BASIC INFORMATION ON THE EUROPEAN UNION

The EU is a unique economic and political partnership between 27 European countries that together cover much of the continent.

It was created in the aftermath of the Second World War. The first steps were to foster economic cooperation: the idea being that countries who trade with one another become economically interdependent and so more likely to avoid conflict. Since then, the EU has developed into a huge single market with the euro as its common currency. What began as a purely economic union has evolved into an organisation spanning all policy areas, from development aid to environment. It has delivered half a century of peace, stability, and prosperity, helped raise living standards, and launched a single European currency. Thanks to the abolition of border controls between EU countries, people can travel freely throughout most of the continent. And it's also become much easier to live and work abroad in Europe. The EU is based on the rule of law. This means that everything that it does is founded on treaties, voluntarily and democratically agreed by all member countries. These binding agreements set out the EU's goals in its many areas of activity. One of its main goals is to promote human rights both internally and around the world. Human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights: these are the core values of the EU. Since the 2009 signing of the Treaty of Lisbon, the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights brings all these rights together in a single document. The EU's institutions are legally bound to uphold them, as are EU governments whenever they apply EU law. The single market is the EU's main economic engine, enabling most goods, services, money and people to move freely. Another key objective is to develop this huge resource to ensure that Europeans can draw the maximum benefit. As it continues to grow, the EU remains focused on making its governing institutions more transparent and democratic. More powers are being given to the directly elected European Parliament, while national parliaments are being given a greater role, working alongside the European institutions. In turn, European citizens have an ever-increasing number of channels for taking part in the political process.

HISTORY
THE FOUNDING FATHERS OF THE EU:
The following visionary leaders inspired the creation of the European Union we live in today. Without their energy and motivation we would not be living in the sphere of peace and stability that we take for granted. From resistance fighters to lawyers, the founding fathers were a diverse group of people who held the same ideals: a peaceful, united and prosperous Europe. Beyond the founding fathers described below, many others have worked tirelessly

towards and inspired the European project. This section on the founding fathers is therefore a work in progress.

Konrad Adenauer

Sicco Mansholt

Joseph Bech

Jean Monnet

Johan Beyen

Robert Schuman

Winston Churchill

Paul-Henri Spaak

Alcide De Gasperi

Altiero Spinelli

Walter Hallstein

1945 - 1959
A peaceful Europe the beginnings of cooperation The European Union is set up with the aim of ending the frequent and bloody wars between neighbours, which culminated in the Second World War. As of 1950, the European Coal and Steel Community begins to unite European countries economically and politically in order to secure lasting peace. The six founders are Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. The 1950s are dominated by a cold war between east and west. Protests in Hungary against the Communist regime are put down by Soviet tanks in 1956; while the following year, 1957, the Soviet Union takes the lead in the space race, when it launches the first man-made space satellite, Sputnik 1. Also in 1957, the Treaty of Rome creates the European Economic Community (EEC), or Common Market

1960 - 1969
The Swinging Sixties a period of economic growth The 1960s sees the emergence of 'youth culture, with groups such as The Beatles attracting huge crowds of teenage fans wherever they appear, helping to stimulate a cultural revolution and widening the generation gap. It is a good period for the economy, helped by the fact that EU countries stop charging custom duties when they trade with each other. They also

agree joint control over food production, so that everybody now has enough to eat - and soon there is even surplus agricultural produce. May 1968 becomes famous for student riots in Paris, and many changes in society and behaviour become associated with the so-called 68 generation.

1970 - 1979
A growing Community the first Enlargement Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom join the European Union on 1 January 1973, raising the number of member states to nine. The short, yet brutal, Arab-Israeli war of October 1973 result in an energy crisis and economic problems in Europe. The last right-wing dictatorships in Europe come to an end with the overthrow of the Salazar regime in Portugal in 1974 and the death of General Franco of Spain in 1975. The EU regional policy starts to transfer huge sums to create jobs and infrastructure in poorer areas. The European Parliament increases its influence in EU affairs and in 1979 all citizens can, for the first time, elect their members directly.

1980 - 1989
The changing face of Europe - the fall of the Berlin Wall The Polish trade union, Solidarnod, and its leader Lech Walesa, become household names across Europe and the world following the Gdansk shipyard strikes in the summer of 1980. In 1981, Greece becomes the 10th member of the EU and Spain and Portugal follow five years later. In 1986 the Single European Act is signed. This is a treaty which provides the basis for a vast six-year programme aimed at sorting out the problems with the free-flow of trade across EU borders and thus creates the Single Market. There is major political upheaval when, on 9 November 1989, the Berlin Wall is pulled down and the border between East and West Germany is opened for the first time in 28 years, this leads to the reunification of Germany when both East and West Germany are united in October 1990.

1990 - 1999
A Europe without frontiers With the collapse of communism across central and eastern Europe, Europeans become closer neighbours. In 1993 the Single Market is completed with the the 'four freedoms' of: movement of goods, services, people and money. The 1990s is also the decade of two treaties, the Maastricht Treaty on European Union in 1993 and the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1999. People are concerned about how to protect the environment and also how Europeans can act together when it comes to security and defence matters. In 1995 the EU gains three more new members, Austria, Finland and Sweden. A small village in Luxembourg gives its name to the Schengen agreements that gradually allow people to travel without having their passports

checked at the borders. Millions of young people study in other countries with EU support. Communication is made easier as more and more people start using mobile phones and the internet.

2000 2009
Further expansion The euro is the new currency for many Europeans. 11 September 2001 becomes synonymous with the 'War on Terror' after hijacked airliners are flown into buildings in New York and Washington. EU countries begin to work much more closely together to fight crime. The political divisions between east and west Europe are finally declared healed when no fewer than 10 new countries join the EU in 2004, followed by two more in 2007. A financial crisis hits the global economy in September 2008, leading to closer economic cooperation between EU countries. The Treaty of Lisbon is ratified by all EU countries before entering into force on 1 December 2009. It provides the EU with modern institutions and more efficient working methods.

2010 TODAY
A decade of opportunities and challenges The new decade starts with a severe economic crisis, but also with the hope that investments in new green and climate-friendly technologies and closer European cooperation will bring lasting growth and welfare.

MEMBER COUNTRIES OF UN
This section provides general information and basic facts and figures on all European countries. They are divided into 27 EU member countries Member states of the EU (year of entry)
Austria (1995) Belgium (1952) Bulgaria (2007) Cyprus (2004) Czech Republic (2004) Denmark (1973) Estonia (2004) Finland (1995) France (1952) Germany (1952) Latvia (2004) Greece (1981) Hungary (2004) Ireland (1973) Italy (1952)

Lithuania (2004) Luxembourg (1952) Malta (2004) Netherlands (1952) Poland (2004)

Portugal (1986) Romania (2007) Slovakia (2004) Slovenia (2004) Spain (1986)

Sweden (1995) United Kingdom (1973)

DECISION-MAKING IN THE EUROPEAN UNION

EU law is divided into 'primary' and 'secondary' legislation. The treaties (primary legislation) are the basis or ground rules for all EU action. Secondary legislation which includes regulations, directives and decisions are derived from the principles and objectives set out in the treaties.

How EU decisions are made

The EUs standard decision-making procedure is known as 'Ordinary Legislative Procedure (ex "codecision"). This means that the directly elected European Parliament has to approve EU legislation together with the Council (the governments of the 27 EU countries). The Commission drafts and implements EU legislation.

EU Treaties
The European Union is based on the rule of law. This means that every action taken by the EU is founded on treaties that have been approved voluntarily and democratically by all EU member countries. The Treaty of Lisbon increased the number of policy areas where 'Ordinary Legislative Procedure' is used. The European Parliament also has more power to block a proposal if it disagrees with the Council.

Regulations, Directives and other acts

The aims set out in the EU treaties are achieved by several types of legal act. These legislative acts include regulations, directives, recommendations and opinions. Some are binding, others are not. Some apply to all EU countries, others to just a few.

POLICY AREAS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

The EU is active in a wide range of policy areas, from human rights to transport and trade. Click on a policy title below for a summary of what the EU does in that area, and for useful links to relevant bodies, laws and documents. Agriculture, fisheries and food

Environment EU institutions

Agriculture Fisheries Food Safety Business

Development and Cooperation Humanitarian aid Human rights Economy and finance

Institutional affairs Health

Competition Enterprise and Industry Internal Market Trade Culture, education and sport

Budget Economic and Monetary Affairs Fight against fraud Employment and social affairs

Public Health Justice and citizens rights

Citizenship Consumer protection Immigration Justice and Home Affairs Regions and local development

Audiovisual and Media Culture Education, Training, Youth Multilingualism Sport Customs and tax

Employment and Social Affairs Enlargement of the EU and foreign affairs Enlargement of the EU Foreign affairs and security policy Environment and energy

Regional Policy Science and technology

Customs Taxation Development and humanitarian aid

Information technology Research and Innovation Transport and travel

Climate action Energy

Transport

UN INSTITUTIONS AND OTHER BODIES

In the EU's unique institutional set-up:

the EU's broad priorities are set by the European Council, which brings together national and EU-level leaders directly elected MEPs represent European citizens in the European Parliament the interests of the EU as a whole are promoted by the European Commission, whose members are appointed by national governments governments defend their own countries' national interests in the Council of the European Union.

Setting the agenda The European Council sets the EU's overall political direction but has no powers to pass laws. Led by its President currently Herman Van Rompuy and comprising national heads of state or government and the President of the Commission, it meets for a few days at a time at least every 6 months. Law-making There are 3 main institutions involved in EU legislation:

The European Parliament, which represents the EUs citizens and is directly elected by them; The Council of the European Union, which represents the governments of the individual member countries. The Presidency of the Council is shared by the member states on a rotating basis. The European Commission, which represents the interests of the Union as a whole.

Together, these three institutions produce through the "Ordinary Legislative Procedure" (ex "co-decision") the policies and laws that apply throughout the EU. In principle, the Commission proposes new laws, and the Parliament and Council adopt them. The Commission and the member countries then implement them, and the Commission ensures that the laws are properly applied and implemented. Other EU institutions Two other institutions play vital roles:

the Court of Justice upholds the rule of European law the Court of Auditors checks the financing of the EU's activities.

The powers and responsibilities of all of these institutions are laid down in the Treaties, which are the foundation of everything the EU does. They also lay down the rules and procedures that the EU institutions must follow. The Treaties are agreed by the presidents and/or prime ministers of all the EU countries, and ratified by their parliaments. The EU has a number of other institutions and interinstitutional bodies that play specialised roles:

The European Economic and Social Committee represents civil society, employers and employees The Committee of the Regions represents regional and local authorities The European Investment Bank finances EU investment projects and helps small businesses through the European Investment Fund The European Central Bank is responsible for European monetary policy The European Ombudsman investigates complaints about maladministration by EU institutions and bodies The European Data Protection Supervisor safeguards the privacy of peoples personal data The Publications Office publishes information about the EU The European Personnel Selection Office recruits staff for the EU institutions and other bodies The European School of Administration provides training in specific areas for members of EU staff A host of specialised agencies and decentralised bodies handle a range of technical, scientific and management tasks The European External Action Service (EEAS) assists the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, currently Catherine Ashton. She chairs the Foreign Affairs Council and conducts the common foreign and security policy, also ensuring the consistency and coordination of the EU's external action.