The European Union Notes c. Analyze the importance of Europe’s coastal location, climatic characteristics, and river systems regarding population, economic development, and world influence.
Quick Facts The EU is a confederation in Europe that allows the individual countries to retain their own governments while cooperating on other issues. There are currently 28 member nations in the EU The EU was primarily a western European organization prior to 1989 because of communism in the Soviet Union. The EU often tries to work together when dealing with world affairs & won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012.
Recent History of the EU 2007 Criteria set for a country to join the EU: democracy and rule of law functioning market economy ability to implement EU laws Formal negotiations on enlargement begin Copenhagen summit agrees enlargement 10 new EU members: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia 1992 1998 2002 2004 Bulgaria and Romania join the EU Candidates Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey © Reuders 2013 Croatia joins the EU
Current EU Info The Lisbon Treaty=most recent treaty The intention of this treaty is to make the EU: More efficient More democratic More transparent More united on the world stage More secure Challenges facing the EU now Globalization Demographics Climate change
Benefit 1: The Euro EU countries using the euro EU countries not using the euro Can be used everywhere in the euro area Coins: one side with national symbols, one side common Notes: no national side
Benefit 2: Single Economy Four freedoms of movement: goods services people capital © Getty Images The single market has led to: significant reductions in the price of many products and services, including internet access and airfares. 40% drop in price of phone calls from 2.8 million new jobs
Benefit 3: 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
Benefit 4: Expanded education Over 2 million young people have studied or pursued personal development in other European countries with support from EU programmes: Comenius: school education Erasmus: higher education Leonardo da Vinci: vocational training Grundtvig: adult education Youth in Action: voluntary work and non-formal education © Getty Images
Benefit 5: Environmental Action Pollution knows no borders – joint action needed EU action has helped bring: 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
The EU in 5 minutes Crash Course in the EU Video