UNIT 4: THE EUROPEAN UNION

THE EUROPEAN UNION TODAY

1. WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION?

The European Union (EU) is an economic and political organization formed by twenty-eight democratic
European countries. It has a population of almost 500,000,000.
Economically, the countries of the European Union share common rules about agriculture, transport,
fishing and industry. Many European Union countries use the euro as their official currency.
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Politically, the citizens of any country in the EU can live, study or work in any other country in the EU. EU
citizens who have emigrated to another EU country, can vote and be candidates in municipal elections
there. EU citizens can also participate in the European Parliamentary elections.
The countries of the European Union have adopted joint measures to protect the environment, fight
crime and terrorism, defend equality among men and women and protect the rights of consumers.

UNIT 4: THE EUROPEAN UNION

2. HOW THE EUROPEAN UNION BEGAN

In 1945, at the end of World War II, several European countries decided to collaborate. They wanted to
avoid future wars and to improve the economic development of Europe.
A few years later, in 1957, Germany, Italy, Belgium,
the Netherlands, Luxembourg and France signed the
Treaty of Rome and the European Economic
Community (EEC) constitution. As a result, a
common market was created. In other words, when
products from these six countries were sold in any
of the five other countries, there was no tax or tariff
to pay.
Later in 1992, the members of the European Economic Community signed the Treaty of Maastricht. This
treaty marked the creation of the European Union.
In December, 2007, the Treaty of Lisbon was signed by thirteen member states. This Treaty amended
the two previous treaties, and now comprises the constitutional basis of the EU.
Since 1992, the European Union has grown steadily. Now, there are twenty-eight member countries or
states. Spain joined the EU in 1986.

3. SYMBOLS
The European Union has symbols that identify it: a flag,
an anthem and Europe Day. The flag is blue with
twelve gold stars in a circle. The stars represent
solidarity and harmony between the European people.

The European Union anthem does not have lyrics. The

melody is the Ode to Joy from Beethovens Ninth
Symphony.

Europe Day is celebrated on 9th May. On this day, people are encouraged to
learn more about the institutions of the European Union.

QUESTIONS:
1. List four characteristics of the European Union.
2. Why were the treaties of Rome and Maastricht important to the European Union?
3. Describe the symbols of the European Union.
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THE INSTITUTIONS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

The main institutions are the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union, the European
Commission, and the Court of Justice.

1. THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

The European Parliament approves European laws and co-ordinates economic policies. It controls all
the institutions of the European Union.
The European Parliament is elected every five years. Its members are called Members of the European
Parliament (MEPs). MEPs are elected directly by EU citizens in each member state.
The parliament also has a president who directs the activities of the parliament and is present at the
sessions.

Meetings of the European Parliament are held in Strasbourg (France) and Brussels (Belgium) (Video)

2. THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

The Council of the European Union approves
European laws, co-ordinates economic policies
and directs security, defence and foreign policy.
The Council is made up of ministers from each
member state. Each state takes turns presiding
over the Council for six months. Ministers from
the areas being discussed attend council
meetings. For example, the ministers of
agriculture meet to discuss agricultural issues.

3. THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION

The European Commission is what we call the government of the European Union.
It works in the same way as a countrys national government. It proposes new laws and policies, and
applies established rules and regulations as directed by the Parliament and Council. The European
Commission must also guarantee European laws and treaties.
The commissioners represent each of the member states. There are twenty-seven commissioners
including one that acts as president.
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4. THE COURT OF JUSTICE AND THE COURT OF

AUDITORS
The Court of Justice upholds European laws.
The Court of Justice is made up of judges and advocate generals.
There is one judge from each member state. Eight advocate
generals are chosen by the governments of the EU member
states.

The Court of Auditors controls the money that the European Union uses. It ensures that EU money is
used correctly.

QUESTIONS:
1. Define the following terms.
Members
Commissioners:
The Court of Auditors
Advocate generals
The European Commission:
2. Make a chart showing the five institutions of the European Union.

3. What does The European Parliament do? What does The Council of the European Union do?
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UNIT 4: THE EUROPEAN UNION

THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

1. EU CITIZENS
One of the achievements of the European Union is
its success in bringing the citizens of different
member states closer together, both culturally
and educationally.
For example, EU citizens can travel, live and work
in any member state. In addition, they have a
European health card. This means that when a
citizen is in a different member state, he or she
receives cheaper health care than a visitor from
outside of the EU.
Many professional and university qualifications are recognized in more than one member state. This
allows the exchange of students between states. The Erasmus program, for example, enables citizens to
work and study in any state of the Union.

2. THE EUROZONE
In 1999, eleven member states of the European Union decided to adopt the euro as their official
currency.
The eurozone included Belgium,
Germany, Spain, France, Ireland,
Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands,
Austria, Portugal and Finland. In

2001, Greece joined the group. Then

in 2002, the twelve countries of the
eurozone started circulating the first
bank notes and coins.
The Central European Bank defines
and implements policies related to
the euro.
Some countries of the European
Union still use their own currencies,
such as Sweden, Denmark and the
United Kingdom.
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3. THE SINGLE MARKET

The single market is one of the
greatest achievements of the
European Union. This has
eliminated borders and custom
controls between the EU states.
This means that EU citizens and
merchandise can circulate freely
within the EU.
There are taxes on all products
made outside of the EU. As a
result, goods made inside the EU
are cheaper.
There are also initiatives to recognize all educational and professional qualifications across the EU for
lawyers, doctors, plumbers and electricians. However, some professional sectors, such as the police and
the armed forces, are only recognized in the individual state.

4. THE GROWTH OF THE EU

The EU has grown significantly since it began. In 1958, there were only six member states. By 2011,
there were twenty-seven. This number may continue to grow as there are candidate countries such as
Croatia, Turkey and Macedonia, who want to join the EU.
Any democratic European country that agrees to respect the treaties and laws of the Union can join the
EU. However, for a new member state to be admitted, all of the EU states must agree.

QUESTIONS:
1. What is the eurozone? Which countries are in the eurozone? Which countries are not?
2. What are the advantages of the single market for EU citizens?

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UNIT 4: THE EUROPEAN UNION

ACTIVITIES:
1. Look at the map. Complete the activities.

2. Copy and complete the table about the institutions of the European Union.

3. Read sentences a to c. Decide if you support or oppose each idea. Then have a class debate.
a. The EU should increase the number of countries that make up the European Union.
b. There should not be any European institutions.
c. The European Union should not have a single market.
4. Read the following text from the Treaty of Rome. Answer the questions below.
Art. 1. By this Treaty, the signing countries establish among themselves a
European Economic Community.
Art. 2. The Community shall have as its task, by establishing a common market
and progressively approximating the economic policies of Member States, to
promote throughout the Community a harmonious development of economic
activities between the states belonging to it.
Treaty of Rome (Adaptation)
a. What countries signed the Treaty of Rome? In what year?
b. What was the purpose of creating the European Economic Community?
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UNIT 4: THE EUROPEAN UNION