The European Union

After the Second world the whole Europe was destroyed. Europeans were determined to prevent such killing and destruction ever happening again

A Frenchman, Jean Monnet, thought hard about this. He realised that there were two things a country needed before it could make war: iron for producing steel (to make tanks, guns, bombs and so on) and coal to provide the energy for factories and railways.

His idea was that the governments of France and Germany – and perhaps of other European countries too – should no longer run their own coal and steel industries. Instead, these industries should be organized by people from all the countries involved. They would sit around a table and discuss and decide things together. That way, war between them would be impossible!

Jean Monnet spoke about it to his friend Robert Schuman, who was a minister in the French government. Robert Schuman thought it was a brilliant idea

French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman presented a plan for deeper cooperation. 9 May th May is now celebrated as the birthday of the European Union

Six European Countries Decided to put their coal and steal industries together and to form a club they call European Coal and Steel Community 1951 France Germany Belgium Italy Luxembourg The Netherlands

This idea worked well and these countries got on well working together The European Economic Community In 1957 they started another club called With common market

Common market means: No border checks Countries can trade with one another just as if they were all one single country No trucks waiting No custom duties

Common market means: Countries can trade with one another just as if they were all one single country More food to eat More varied things in shops More money to spend

Other neighbouring countries saw the advantages and joined the EEC In 1992 the name was changed to the European Union Britain, Denmark and Ireland joined in Greece in 1981, Portugal and Spain in 1986, Austria, Finland and Sweden in In 1995 the EU had 15 members

Slovakia joined the EU on 1 May 2004 Together with other 9 countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, and Slovenia

Nowadays the European family is formed by 27 members. On 1 January 2007 Romania and Bulgaria joined the EU

The European Union

€ THE EURO In yearsgone by, each country in Europe had its own kind of money, or ´currencyIn years gone by, each country in Europe had its own kind of money, or ´currency ´. Now there is one single currency, the euro, which all EU countries can share if they wish.Now there is one single currency, the euro, which all EU countries can share if they wish.

Having one currency makes it easier to do business and to travel and shop all over the EU without having to change from one currency to another.. The euro, notes and coins, were introduced and came into use on 1 January 2002.

Dennmark, the UK and Sweden still use their own currency The new member states also use their national currency Slovakia plans to adopt € in 2009 States not using € 15 States using €

The environment The environment belongs to everyone, so countries have to work together to protect it. The EU has rules about stopping pollution and about protecting some endangered species of animals.

Jobs The EU tries to create new and better jobs for everyone who can work. It helps people to start new businesses and gives money to train people to do new kinds of work.

Freedom People living in the EU are free When crossing the borders between most EU countries, you no longer need a passport to live,workor study in any EU country they choose.

Eurofunds The EU helps regions that are in difficulty. It helps pay for new roads and railways, The EU provides financial support for farmers

The flag The number of stars on the European flag has nothing to do with number of member states. There are twelve stars because the number 12 is a traditional symbol of perfection and unity. The European Union has its own flag – the blue field with twelve gold stars in the circle

EU institutions the European Parliament (EP) represents the EU’s citizens and is directly elected by them; has 732 members and it has seat Strasbourg

the Council of the European Union represents the individual member states;Council of the European Union the European Commission seeks to uphold the interests of the Union as a whole, it has its seat in BrusselsEuropean Commission the Court of Justice makes sure that EU laws are respected everywhereCourt of Justice EU institutions

The original words are in German, but when used as the European anthem it has no words – only the tune. Europe has its own anthem – the Ode to Joy from Beethoven´s ninth symphony.