1. The European Union aka The EU
an organization of 27 European countries focused on close cooperation in trade, economic, political & social issues

3. History of the EU
For centuries, Europe was the scene of frequent and bloody wars. From 1870 to 1945, France and Germany fought each other three times. A number of European leaders became convinced that the only way to secure a lasting peace between their countries was to unite them economically and politically.
The first goal was to create economic cooperation because countries that trade with one another are economically interdependent (they depend on each other for economic success) and will thus avoid fighting.
After WWII- “European Coal and Steel Community” (ECSC) formed by 6 countries : Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, France, Germany, Italy
1957- Treaty of Rome creates the “European Economic Community” (EEC)
1984-establishment of the “European Union”
2007–Bulgaria & Romania join the EU = membership up to 27 countries.

4. EUROPEAN UNION

5. EU Details The EU has developed into a huge single market.
EU key term – a single market is a type of trade bloc which is composed of a free trade area for goods with common policies on product regulation, and freedom of movement of the businesses, goods and services. Among the member states, they remove physical borders and taxes barriers to the maximum extent possible.
EU key term – trade bloc – an agreement between states, regions, or countries, to reduce barriers to trade between the participating regions. The most well known trade bloc is NAFTA, between the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Some opponents of trade blocs believe that such agreements are detrimental to global free trade.

6. EU KEY TERMS Common Market Supranational Cooperation
a group of countries that acts as a single market, without trade barriers between member countries
EU common market is founded on the famous "four freedoms", the free movement of persons, services, goods and capital.
Supranational Cooperation
a form of international cooperation in which countries give up some control of their affairs as they work together to achieve shared goals
Supra means “over” or “on top of.”
The government of the EU stands above the governments of its members. As a result, the EU has been able to remove many barriers that once made travel among its members difficult. Members of the EU have “open” borders with each other. Many also use the same form of money.
EU countries use supranational cooperation to work toward shared goals, but they remain separate countries. While they are united in some ways, they are divided in others.

7. EU Details continued…
The EU has the euro as its common currency; however, not all member countries choose to use the euro for their money.
The EU also helps its member countries with development aid and environmental policy.
The EU actively promotes human rights and democracy and has strong goals for fighting climate change in the world.
Thanks to the removal of border controls between EU countries, it is now possible for people to travel freely within most of the EU. It has also become much easier to live and work in another EU country.

8. European Union & the Euro
The symbol for the euro is € euro = US $
The United Kingdom's currency is the pound sterling and it has no plans to adopt the euro in the future. The UK negotiated an opt-out from the part of the Maastricht Treaty that required it to adopt the common currency,
EU countries using the euro: 1.Austria, 2.Belgium, 3.Cyprus, 4.Estonia, 5.Finland, 6.France, 7.Germany, 8.Greece, 9.Ireland, 10.Italy, 11.Luxembourg, 12.Malta, 13.Netherlands, 14.Portugal, 15.Slovakia, 16.Slovenia 17.Spain
 EU countries not using the euro: 1.Bulgaria, 2.Czech Republic, 3.Denmark, 4.Hungary, 5.Latvia, 6.Lithuania, 7.Poland, 8.Romania, 9.Sweden, 10.United Kingdom
Denmark, Sweden and the United Kingdom do not currently use the euro. Seven countries that have entered the EU since 2004 are committed to adopting the euro when they are ready.

9. EU Countries using the EURO
BLUE   = EU Eurozone (17)
GREEN  = EU states obliged to join the Eurozone (8)
BROWN = EU states with an opt-out on Eurozone participation (2)
YELLOW  = States outside the EU with issuing rights (3)
PURPLE   = Other non-EU users of euro (4)

10. European Union & the Euro
The euro is the currency for around 330 million people in 17 countries. The symbol for the euro is €.
1 euro = US $
The euro notes are identical in all countries but each country issues its own coins with one common side and one side displaying a distinctive national emblem. All the notes and coins can be used in all EU countries that have adopted the euro, including many of their overseas entities.

11. What groups exist within the EU?
How does it work?
To make things happen, EU countries set up bodies to run the EU and adopt its legislation.
The main ones are:
the European Parliament
(representing the people of Europe);
the Council of the European Union
(representing national governments);
the European Commission
(representing the common EU interest).

12. Why join the EU? What results have been achieved so far?
Going abroad to learn
A greener Europe
Fighting climate change
Euros in your pocket
Equal chances
Freedom, security & justice for all
Jobs and growth
Exporting peace and stability
What results have been achieved so far?
Frontier-free travel and trade, the euro (the single European currency), safer food and a greener environment, better living standards in poorer regions, joint action on crime and terror, cheaper phone calls, millions of opportunities to study abroad …

13. Joining the EU Becoming a member of the EU does not happen overnight.
An applying country must satisfy the conditions for membership. These conditions are known as the ‘Copenhagen criteria’ and include a free-market economy, a stable democracy and the rule of law, and the acceptance of all EU legislation, including of the euro.
A country wishing to join the EU submits a membership application to the Council, which asks the Commission to assess the applicant’s ability to meet the Copenhagen criteria. If the Commission’s opinion is positive, the Council must then agree upon a negotiating mandate. Negotiations are then formally opened on a subject-by-subject basis.
Once an applying country meets the membership conditions, it must implement EU rules and regulations in all areas.

14. EU KEY TERMS Centripetal Force Centrifugal Force
-Forces that pull together
a force that unites
people and countries
Centrifugal Force
-Forces that push apart
a force that divides
people and countries

15. EU & THE ECONOMY Economic Centripetal Economic Centrifugal
Forces in the EU
The creation of a common market allows goods and workers to move freely between EU countries
The adoption of a common currency united the EU
shared economic goals such as creating jobs, developing resources, and making improvements that encourage trade unite the EU
Economic Centrifugal
Forces in the EU
Western European members of the EU are wealthier than those in Central and Eastern Europe
workers in Western Europe are paid higher wages than those in Central and Eastern Europe. Living costs are higher in Western Europe as well.
workers in Western Europe worry about losing jobs to poorer EU countries
Not all EU countries adopted the common currency, the euro.

16. EU & POLITICS Political Centripetal Forces in the EU
work together on issues they all share, such as environmental problems
the EU encourages Europeans to think of themselves as citizens
EU works to strengthen Europe’s role in the world and give EU members more power in world affairs
Political Centrifugal
Forces in the EU
expected to give up some power to the EU and carry out decisions that it does not agree with; some countries want to make own decisions about defense and foreign affairs
As the size of the EU increases, so have the differences among the nations and peoples
fear that national identities will get lost in the push for a more united Europe

17. EU & CULTURE Cultural Centripetal Forces in the EU
common European cultural identity; motto-“United in Diversity”
Flag, Anthem, Europe Day May 9th
Easier travel
Learn new languages
EU chooses one or two cities to be a European Capital of Culture.
Cultural Centrifugal
Forces in the EU
Many languages are spoken in the EU=hard to communicate
extra work for the EU government-every speech and document must be translated into 20 languages
National pride
competition and rivalry between countries
Cultural Traditions banned
(Czech food illegal)