1. Milan Jerečič

2. What is Union? The European Union (EU) is an economic and political union of independent member states which are located in Europe. The EU is based on European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community, formed in 1958.

3. Basic Characteristics The Maastricht Treaty established the European Union current name. There are 27 member states. Population of EU is about 500 mil. people. The currency is euro in most states, except for e.g. Czech, UK, Denmark, Poland, Sweden. Political centres are Brussels, Luxembourg and Strassbourg.

4. Anthem is Ode to Joy http://www.yo utube.com/wat ch?v=vXuhvzb Q5EI&feature= fvst http://www.yo utube.com/wat ch?v=vXuhvzb Q5EI&feature= fvst  Euro Flag

5. History The Union was established by 6 states (France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg) in 1952 and since then Union has broadened 6 times. First came UK, Ireland, Denmark in 1973. Secondly Greece in 1981 and after that Spain and Portugal in 1986. In 1995 came into Union Finland, Sweden and Austria. In 2004 came Czech, Slovakia, Slovenia, Poland, Hungary, Malta, Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Finally came Bulgaria and Romania.

6. Flag of members

7. Candidate Countries The Candidate countries are Croatia, Turkey, Macedonia, Iceland, Serbia and Montenegro. Norway and Switzerland: governments wanted to join, but people refused to do so in a plebiscite.

8. Targets The EU targets are to create a common market, an economic and monetary union, employment, competitiveness and improving living standards and environmental quality. To secure these objectives there are 4 conditions: free movement of goods, persons, services and capital.

9. The European Parliament building in Strasbourg, France  The Court of Justice in Luxembourg

10. Geography  The highest mountain is Mt. Blanc (4808) on France and Italy border.  If the Turkey came into union, the highest mountain would be Ararat (5166).  The largest lake is Vänern in the south of Sweden.  The longest river is Dunaj (2850 km).  The European Union occupies an area of ​ 4,3 million km ²

11. Overseas Departments  The Union also includes overseas departments, which have mainly:  France - Martinique, Reúnion, French Polynesia,  UK - Bermuda, British Virgin Island, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, St. Helena  Netherlands - Aruba, St. Eustatius, St. Maarten, Curacao  Denmark - Greenland

12. EURO  Launched in virtual form to pay on 1 st January 1999, while in the form of foreign exchange was introduced on 1 st January 2002 and replaced the formerly valid currency.  Euro replaced currencies like French Franc, German Mark, Italian Lira or Spanish Peseta.

13. Euro money  Since its introduction, the euro has been the second important value in international reserve currency after the U.S. dollar.

14. Sources  www.wikipedia.org www.wikipedia.org  www.europa.eu www.europa.eu  www.euractiv.cz www.euractiv.cz