The European Union Some slides taken for Europa: Gateway to the European Union THE EUROPEAN UNION
The European Union: 500 million people – 28 countries Member states of the European Union Candidate and potential candidate countries
Area (1000 km²) Population (million) Wealth (gross domestic product per person) Bosnia and Herzegovina Montenegro Iceland Kosovo under UN Security Resolution : The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Albania Serbia Turkey The 28 EU countries together
How has crossing country borders in Europe become easier?
The euro – a single currency for Europeans EU countries using the euro (Lithuania from 1 January 2015) EU countries not using the euro Why the euro? No fluctuation risk and foreign exchange cost More choice and stable prices for consumers Closer economic cooperation between EU countries Can be used everywhere in the euro area Coins: one side with national symbols, one side common Notes: no national side
The single market: freedom of choice Since 1993: 2.5 million new jobs prices of phone calls and airfares halved Four freedoms of movement: goods services people capital © Getty Images
Free to move “Schengen”: No police or customs checks at borders between most EU countries 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 © Corbis
What does supra mean? In the context of the EU? -”above” or “over” - EU govn’t/laws are above the individual nation’s
Define Centripetal & Centrifugal Forces -Centripetal: forces that bring things together - Centrifugal: forces that divide things
Who was Robert Schuman & what were his suggestions to Europe?
Founding fathers New ideas for lasting peace and prosperity… Konrad Adenauer Robert Schuman Winston Churchill Alcide De Gasperi Jean Monnet
Enlargement: from six to 28 countries Eur. Coal & Steel Community EEC: Common Market (‘58) European Union (’93) 12 original members
Enlargement: from six to 28 countries
The EU symbols The European flag The European anthem Europe Day, 9 May The motto: United in Diversity Beethoven’s 9 th Symphony Schuman’s Speech 12 stars = 12 countries in 1993 (EU)
Economic Cooperation What are the centripetal & centrifugal Forces?
The euro – a single currency for Europeans EU countries using the euro (Lithuania from 1 January 2015) EU countries not using the euro Why the euro? No fluctuation risk and foreign exchange cost More choice and stable prices for consumers Closer economic cooperation between EU countries Can be used everywhere in the euro area Coins: one side with national symbols, one side common Notes: no national side
How does the EU spend its money? 2014 EU budget: €142.6 billion = 1.06% of gross national income Global Europe: including development aid 6% Other, administration 6% Smart and inclusive growth: jobs, competitiveness, regional development 45% Security and citizenship, justice 2% Sustainable growth – natural resources: agriculture, environment 42%
How many people live in the EU? Population in millions, million in total
GDP per inhabitant: the spread of wealth 2013 GDP per inhabitant Index where the average of the 28 EU countries is 100
How rich is the EU compared to the rest of the world? Size of economy: 2012 gross domestic product in trillions of euro Wealth per person: 2012 gross domestic product per person EU ChinaJapan RussiaUnited States India EU ChinaJapanRussiaUnited States India 1.33
Political Cooperation What are the centripetal & centrifugal Forces?
Improving health and the environment Pollution knows no borders – joint action needed EU action has helped bring us: Cleaner bathing water Much less acid rain Lead-free petrol Free and safe disposal of old electronic equipment Strict rules on food safety from farm to fork More organic and quality farming More effective health warnings on cigarettes Registration and control of all chemicals (REACH) © Van Parys Media
Three key players The European Parliament - voice of the people Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament The European Council and the Council - voice of the Member States Donald Tusk, President of the European Council The European Commission - promoting the common interest Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission
The European Parliament – voice of the people Number of members elected in each country Decides EU laws and budget together with the Council of Ministers Democratic supervision of all the EU’s work Austria - 18 Belgium - 21 Bulgaria - 17 Croatia - 11 Cyprus - 6 Czech Republic - 21 Denmark - 13 Estonia - 6 Finland - 13 France - 74 Germany - 96 Greece - 21 Hungary - 21 Ireland - 11 Italy - 73 Latvia - 8 Lithuania - 11 Luxembourg - 6 Malta - 6 Total Netherlands - 26 Poland - 51 Portugal - 21 Romania - 32 Slovakia - 13 Slovenia - 8 Spain - 54 Sweden - 20 United Kingdom - 73
Council of Ministers – voice of the member states One minister from each EU country Presidency: rotates every six months Decides EU laws and budget together with Parliament Manages the Common Foreign and Security Policy
Council of Ministers – number of votes per country 345Total: 3Malta 4Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Luxembourg and Slovenia 7Denmark, Ireland, Lithuania, Slovakia and Finland 10Austria, Bulgaria and Sweden 12 Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary and Portugal 13Netherlands 14 Romania 27Spain and Poland 29Germany, France, Italy and the United Kingdom “Qualified majority” needed for many decisions: 255 votes and a majority of member states (Based on population)
The European Commission – promoting the common interest 27 independent members, one from each EU country Proposes new legislation Executive organ Guardian of the treaties Represents the EU on the international stage
The Court of Justice – upholding the law 27 independent judges, one from each EU country Rules on how to interpret EU law Ensures EU laws are used in the same way in all EU countries
The European Court of Auditors: getting value for your money 27 independent members Checks that EU funds are used properly Can audit any person or organization dealing with EU funds
Cultural Cooperation What are the centripetal & centrifugal Forces?
The EU symbols The European flag The European anthem Europe Day, 9 May The motto: United in Diversity Beethoven’s 9 th Symphony Schuman’s Speech 12 stars = 12 countries in 1993 (EU)