The European Union By: Shashank Kanojia And James Andrews

History of the EU 1950 – French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman presents plan for a comprehensive European cooperation, including Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg 1951 – European Coal and Steel Community 1957 – Treaty of Rome signed, creating the European Economic Community (EEC), or Common Market 1962 – Common Agricultural Policy begins, joint control over food production 1963 – The EU signs first big international agreement, a deal to help 18 former colonies located in Africa 1968 – The six founding countries remove custom duties on goods imported from each other

History of the EU 1973 – The six countries become nine when Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom enter the organization 1974 – European Regional Development Fund is enacted, transferring money from the richer regions to the poorer ones to improve infrastructure 1979 – EU citizens directly elect the members of the European Parliament for the first time, previously being elected by national parliaments 1981 – Greece is admitted into the EU 1986 – Portugal and Spain are admitted into the EU 1986 – Single European Act allows for free trade across EU borders

History of the EU 1992 – The Maastricht Treaty is signed, formally creating the EU 1993 – Single Market is introduced, with four freedoms being established: free movement of goods, services, people, and money 1995 – Austria, Sweden, and Finland admitted to the EU 1995 – Travellers of any nationality can travel freely between borders without a passport while in Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Portugal 1997 – Treaty of Amsterdam, builds on Maastricht, gives more power to the people 1999 – The Euro is introduced in 11 countries, including Belgium, Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, and Finland

History of the EU 2002 – Euro notes and coins arrive onto the market, making commerce easier throughout 2004 – Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia, and Slovakia are admitted into the EU 2004 – The 25 EU countries sign a treaty that establishes a European Constitution 2007 – Bulgaria and Romania are admitted into the EU 2007 – The Treaty of Lisbon aims to make the EU more democratic, efficient, and transparent, making it able to combat climate change, security issues, and sustainable development

Government of the EU Capitals: Brussels (Belgium), Strasbourg (France), Luxembourg There is no established constitution in existence Although in 2004 the then 25 members of the EU decided on having a Constitution, it hasn’t been made official because each state must approve it. Treaty on European Union (TEU) [7th February, 1992]- establishes the European Union as a supranational state. There are 27 member states.

Current Leaders of EU José Manuel Barroso heads the EU executive as President of the European Commission- new comm. Every 5 years. Herman Van Rompuy is the current President of the European Council- rotates every 6 months Vassilios Skouris, from Greece, is President of the Court of Justice- renewable term of 3 years. Jerzy Buzek is the President of the EU Parliament- Elections every 5 years.

European Commission The EU’s Executive arm- responsible for implementing the decisions of the Parliament and the Council. Consists of 27 members, one from each country- Commissioners are nominated by home governments and approved by qualified majority voting in the Council. The European Commission has 4 main roles: 1. To propose Legislation to Parliament and the Council 2. To manage and implement EU policies and the budget. 3. To enforce European law (along with the Court of Justice) 4. To represent EU on international stage by negotiating agreements between the EU and other countries. Independent of National Governments- Job is to represent and uphold interests of EU as a whole.

The European Council The main decision-making body in the EU. It represents the member states and meetings are attended by one minister from each of the EU’s national governments. Each minister represents his/her national government. The Council has 6 key roles: 1. To pass European laws- jointly with the EU parliament in many policy areas. 2. To coordinate the broad economic policies of the member states. 3. To conclude international agreements between EU and other countries. 4. To approve EU’s budget, jointly with the European Parliament. 5. To develop EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP)- Council has limited role here as national governments have ultimate authority in these matters.

The European Council 6. To coordinate cooperation between the national courts and police forces in criminal matters. Decisions in the council are taken by vote- votes are determined by the population of the member state with relation to the EU as a whole. If country has bigger population, then has more votes. Germany, France, Italy and the United Kingdom:29 Spain and Poland:27 Romania:14 The Netherlands:13 Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary and Portugal:12 Austria, Bulgaria and Sweden:10 Denmark, Ireland, Lithuania, Slovakia and Finland:7 Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Luxembourg and Slovenia:4 Malta:3 TOTAL345

European Court of Justice Court of Justice set up under the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) treaty (1952) Its job is to make sure EU legislation is interpreted and applied in the same way in all EU countries, so law is equal for everyone. – Also make sure EU member states and institutions do what law requires- court has power to settle disputes bet. EU member states, institutions, businesses, and individuals. Composed of one judge per member state (27), and is assisted by 8 advocates general. The 5 most common types of cases are: – 1. References for a preliminary ruling. – 2. Actions for failure to fulfill an obligation – 3. Actions for annulment – 4. Actions for failure to act Actions for damages.

European Parliament The Parliament is elected by the citizens of the EU to represent their interests- Elections held every 5 years. Members of EU Parliament (MEPs) sit in 7 Europe-wide Political groups. Parliament based in 3 places: Brussels (Belgium), Luxembourg, and Strasbourg (France). Parliament has 3 main roles: – 1. Passing European Laws- With the Council in many policy areas. – 2. Parliament exercises democratic supervision over other EU institutions, in particular the Commission. It has power to approve/reject Commissioners, and has right to censure Commission as a whole – 3. The Power of the Purse: Can influence EU spending because it shares with the Council authority over EU budget.

European Parliament Number of seats per country (2009 – 2014 parliamentary term) Austria17Latvia8 Belgium22Lithuania12 Bulgaria17Luxembourg6 Cyprus6Malta5 Czech Republic22Netherlands25 Denmark13Poland50 Estonia6Portugal22 Finland13Romania33 France72Slovakia13 Germany99Slovenia7 Greece22Spain50 Hungary22Sweden18 Ireland12United Kingdom72 Italy72TOTAL736 Number of seats per country (2009 – 2014 parliamentary term)

Current Event In recent years Turkey has tried to join the EU, and Northern Cyprus, where the Turkish Cypriots occupy the land, has been historically backed by the Turkish government. Northern Cyprus is only acknowledged by Turkey, thereby making it a blemish on their road to becoming an EU country Northern Cyprus gained “independence” from Cyprus in a coup d’etat in 1974 The Turkish Army currently occupies North Cyprus to protect them from the Cyprian forces

Current Event As of 2005 Turkey was finally allowed into the ascension negotiations, after decades of waiting, in which there must be certain guidelines met for Turkey to be allowed to join the EU Turkey must meet the Copenhagen criteria: A stable Democratic government, protecting the rights of all citizens, including minorities Existence of a functioning Market Economy, able to cope with competitive pressures and market forces within the Union Able to achieve the political, economic, and monetary goals of the EU, and the governmental ability to apply them

Current Event Questions Do you think the “Turkey” question can mean trouble for the European Union? Do you allow unrest between the internal members, or just disregard all enemies of the Union? Are the rules and regulations too strict now to allow new members into the Union? What happens to those countries that do not share common governments or markets, but wish to still participate in the Union?