European Union

The EU… not always as big as it is today! WWI and WWII - a number of European leaders in the late 1940s became convinced that the only way to establish a lasting peace was to foster economic cooperation: the idea being that countries who trade with one another become economically interdependent and so more likely to avoid conflict. 1950 - French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman proposed integration of the coal and steel industries of Western Europe. 1951 - six countries founded the European Coal and Steel Community to foster this cooperation: Belgium Germany France Italy Luxembourg The Netherlands

Over time, more and more countries decided to join the European Coal and Steel Community, and treaties were signed. In 1957, the European Union was founded. It reached its current size of 28 member countries with the accession Croatia on July 1, 2013. http://europa.eu/about-eu/countries/member-countries/index_en.htm

A Few Facts Brussels, Belgium less than one-half the size of the U.S. Brussels, Belgium is the capital Headquarters are located in Brussels (Belgium), Luxembourg, and Strasbourg (France) The EU will continue to grow as an increasing number of countries express interest in membership. These countries can be divided into candidate countries and potential candidate countries. Candidate countries are in the process of integrating EU legislation into national law, while potential candidate countries do not yet fulfill the requirements for EU membership. Brussels, Belgium

Joining the EU Becoming a member of the EU is a complex procedure which does not happen overnight. Once an applicant country meets the conditions for membership, it must implement EU rules and regulations in all areas. Any country that satisfies the conditions for membership can apply. These conditions are known as the ‘Copenhagen criteria’: 1) a free-market economy, 2) a stable democracy and the rule of law, and 3) the acceptance of all EU legislation, including of the euro.

24 OFFICIAL LANGUAGES Bulgarian French Maltese Croatian German Polish Czech Greek Portuguese Danish Hungarian Romanian Dutch Irish Slovak English Italian Slovene Estonian Latvian Spanish Finnish Lithuanian Swedish

Three Pillars - major areas of cooperation - The European Union European Community domain (focus is economic issues such as trade, jobs, money, etc. ) Common foreign and security policy Police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters The European Union has three major areas of cooperation—known as the three pillars. The major focus of the first pillar is economic issues such as trade, jobs, money, etc., but some non-economic domestic issues are also acted upon in a cooperative fashion. The second pillar focuses on developing common policies for dealing with non-EU members, and for expanding security cooperation against outside threats—including foreign terrorists. The third pillar is about increased police cooperation. For instance, someone committing a crime in one country can’t expect to cross the border into a different EU country and get away with it. Also, police departments across Europe often share information about criminals and their activities. The Treaties

The Court of Justice – upholding the law – 28 independent judges, one from each EU country 4Rules on how to interpret EU law 4Ensures EU laws are used in the same way in all EU countries 4Decides EU laws and budget together with Council of Ministers 4Democratic supervision of all the EU’s work The third pillar also includes common EU courts that decide cases dealing only with EU laws and regulations, but not the laws of individual countries.

Other EU Headquarters Luxembourg Strasbourg, France

The euro – a single currency for Europeans Can be used everywhere in the euro area 4coins: one side with national symbols; one side common 4notes/bills: no national side Question: Can you name something dealing with the European economy that has happened since the EU was formed? Answer: A common currency—the euro. EU countries using the euro EU countries not using the euro

back (country specific) front French coins back (country specific) http://web.cortland.edu/flteach/flteach-euro.html

“Schengen” an area shared by 26 European countries that have abolished passport or any other type of border control in-between their internal borders allows free movement within these 26 EU countries No police or customs checks at borders between most EU countries; freedom to move. Controls strengthened at EU external borders. More cooperation between police from different EU countries. You can buy and bring back any goods for personal use when you travel between EU countries. http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/go/s chengen-fact-sheet.html At first, someone might think that the EU has made life more complicated and increased the number of regulations, but it has also simplified many things and offered individuals more freedom in certain areas. FYI… All European Union countries, except Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania and the United Kingdom, are members of the Schengen Borders Agreement. In addition, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein are also members of the Schengen Borders Agreement (but they are not European Union members).

The EU symbols The European anthem The European flag Europe Day, May 9 Consider these images. What does the future of Europe have in store? Do you think the European Union will ever become something like the United States of Europe? Why or why not? Divide students into small groups and have them discuss the above questions. Also have them compare the functions of the EU and the US, Have groups create a Venn diagram showing the EU and the US as the major circle. They should list functions unique to each, and note similarities in the intersecting area. Report back to the class, creating a large Venn diagram on the board or screen for all to see. Europe Day, May 9 The motto: United in Diversity 

EU Symbols The European Flag The European Anthem Europe Day The 12 stars in a circle symbolize the ideals of unity, solidarity and harmony among the peoples of Europe. Blue represents the sky of the Western world, the stars are the peoples of Europe in a circle, a symbol of unity; the number of stars is fixed. The European Anthem "Ode to Joy" - The melody used to symbolize the EU comes from the Ninth Symphony composed in 1823 by Ludwig Von Beethoven. Europe Day The ideas behind the European Union were first put forward on May 9, 1950 by French foreign minister Robert Schuman. This is why May 9 is celebrated as a key date for the EU. The EU Motto "United in Diversity" is the motto of the European Union. It signifies how Europeans have come together, in the form of the EU, to work for peace and prosperity, while at the same time being enriched by the continent's many different cultures, traditions and languages.

Remember… The member countries of the European Union share a common currency (the euro) and a common government.