THE EUROPEAN UNION Lesson 1 Why should students in the United States study Europe and the European Union?

Partners in Global Leadership The EU and U.S. work together: Fighting terrorism and transnational crime Advancing global trade liberalization Combating piracy and intellectual property violations Promoting peace, freedom and the rule of law

The EU and the U.S. Are helping restore peace and stability in Afghanistan. Work together in the Middle East Quartet to advance the peace process. Agree with each other on many policies, and others tend to follow.

Shared Values and Responsibilities Freedom & Democracy Support free elections, good governance, human rights, and the rule of law around the world Security Fight terrorism, limit the spread of nuclear weapons, and work for global peace Development Jointly provide 80% of global development assistance – a larger share of it in times of disaster and conflict

A Dynamic Transatlantic Economy EU and U.S. together account for 40% of total global trade. The intertwined economies employ 12-14 million workers on both sides of the Atlantic. Europe is by far the most significant source of foreign investment in the US economy.

In the U.S. European companies are the leading foreign investors in the U.S. The UK, Germany, France, and the Netherlands – top four sources of jobs created by foreign investment in the United States. BMW’s assembly plant is South Carolina’s largest private sector employer.

In the EU American companies invest far more in EU countries than in Asia. U.S. businesses make 5 times the profit in the Netherlands - alone - as they make in China. In 2005, EU investments in Texas alone surpassed all U.S. investments in China and Japan, combined.

Future of Transatlantic Relations The EU and U.S. face common challenges that are global in origin and impact. With global challenges, come global responsibilities.

Future of Transatlantic Relations The EU and U.S. are natural partners and lead in four key areas: Promoting peace, human rights and democracy worldwide. Confronting global challenges. Fostering prosperity and opportunity. Advancing strategic cooperation on energy security and environmental issues.

“We [the United States and the European Union] are not geopolitical or strategic rivals. We do not pursue different visions of global order, based on competing values. Ours is a win-win relationship. The US has a lot to gain from upgrading its relations with the EU, and vice versa.” A NEW ATLANTICISM FOR THE 21st CENTURY José Manuel Durao Barroso, President of the European Commission 26 March 2010

THE EUROPEAN UNION How did Europe transition from a period of conflict to a period of sustained peace?

The Treaties – Basis for democratic cooperation built on law 1958 The treaties of Rome: The European Economic Community (EEC) The European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM) 1952 The European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) 2009 Treaty of Lisbon 1987 The Single European Act 2003 Treaty of Nice 1993 Treaty on European Union – Maastricht 1999 Treaty of Amsterdam

Founders – International Cooperation New ideas for lasting peace and prosperity… Konrad Adenauer Alcide De Gasperi Winston Churchill Robert Schuman Jean Monnet

European Coal and Steel Community 1952: European Coal and Steel Community In the aftermath of World War II, the aim was to secure peace among Europe’s victorious and vanquished nations and bring them together as equals, cooperating within shared institutions. Based on a plan by French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman. Six founding countries – Belgium, the Federal Republic of Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands – signed a treaty to run heavy industries (coal and steel) under common management. Jean Monnet and other leaders with the first “European” ingot of steel

1958: Treaty of Rome The six founding countries expanded cooperation to other economic sectors, creating the European Economic Community (EEC) – or “common market.” As a result, people, goods, services, and capital today move freely across the Union. Signing of the Treaty of Rome, 1957

1952 Founding Members Belgium France Germany Italy Luxembourg Netherlands

1973 Denmark Ireland United Kingdom

1981 Greece

1986 Portugal Spain

Poland’s Solidarity Party gains legal status 1989 Fall of the Berlin Wall sets the stage for unifying Europe and EU enlargement + Poland’s Solidarity Party gains legal status

1995 Austria Finland Sweden

2004 Cyprus Czech Republic Estonia Hungary Latvia Lithuania Malta Poland Slovakia Slovenia

2007 Bulgaria Romania

Candidate Countries Potential Croatia former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Iceland Turkey Potential Albania Bosnia & Herzegovina Kosovo under UN Security Council Resolution 1244 Montenegro Serbia

Enlargement – from 6 to 27 countries 1952 1973 1981 1986 2007 1990 1995 2004

Over 50 Years of EU Integration Enlargement has: Inspired reforms and consolidated common principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, while enabling market-oriented economic reforms. Enhanced the EU’s weight in the world and made it a stronger and more attractive international partner. “Enlargement has been a success story for the European Union and Europe as a whole. It has helped to overcome the division of Europe and contributed to peace and stability throughout the continent.” European Council Declaration Dec. 15, 2006 1957 2009 Member States 6 27 Population 174 million 500 million Languages 4 23

The Big Enlargement – healing the division of Europe Fall of Berlin Wall – end of Communism in Central and Eastern Europe EU economic help begins: PHARE program 1989 1993 Criteria set for a country to join the EU: • democracy and rule of law • functioning market economy • ability to implement EU laws 1998 Formal negotiations on enlargement begin 2002 Copenhagen summit agrees enlargement 2004 10 new EU members: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia 2007 Bulgaria and Romania join the EU © Reuders Candidates: Croatia, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Iceland, Turkey

taking Europe into the 21st century The Lisbon treaty – taking Europe into the 21st century The Treaty will make the European Union: More efficient Simpler processes, full-time president for the Council. More democratic Stronger role for the European Parliament and national parliaments, "Citizens Initiative", Charter of Fundamental Rights. More transparent Clarifies who does what, greater public access to documents and meetings. More united on High Representative for Foreign Policy. the world stage More secure New possibilities to fight climate change and terrorism, secure energy supplies.

Celebrating the European Union - A Half Century of Change and Progress Since the creation of the EU half a century ago, Europe has enjoyed the longest period of peace in its history. European political integration is unprecedented in history. EU enlargement has helped overcome the division of Europe – contributing to peace, prosperity, and stability across the continent. A single market and a common currency benefit companies and consumers. EU has united the citizens of Europe – while preserving Europe’s diversity. European Union United in diversity

THE EUROPEAN UNION How does the structure of government within the EU compare with the structure of government in the United States?

Promoting the common interest Three key players The European Commission Promoting the common interest

The EU Institutions European Council (Summit) European Parliament Council of the EU European Commission Court of Justice Court of Auditors Committee of the Regions Economic and Social Committee European Investment Bank European Central Bank Agencies

European Commission President José Manuel Barroso 27 Commissioners, each responsible for specific policy areas, representing the common European perspective. Proposes legislation and enforces laws. Negotiates trade agreements. Manages Europe’s multilateral development cooperation. European Commission President José Manuel Barroso

Council of the European Union EU’s main decision-making body, comprised of ministers of 27 Member States, representing each Member State’s point of view. Decides on foreign policy issues. Council presidency rotates among Member States every six months.

European Parliament Voice of European citizens. Members elected for five-year terms. With the Council, passes EU laws and adopts EU budgets. Approves EU Commissioners.

European Court of Justice Highest EU judicial authority. Ensures all EU laws are interpreted and applied correctly and uniformly. Can act as an independent policy maker but unlike the U.S. Supreme Court, the ECJ can only deal with matters covered by the Treaties.

How EU laws are made Citizens, interest groups, experts: discuss, consult Commission: makes formal proposal Parliament and Council of Ministers: decide jointly National or local authorities: implement Commission and Court of Justice: monitor implementation

The European Parliament Decides EU laws and budget together with Council of the European Union Provides democratic supervision of all the EU’s work Number of members elected in each country (January 2010) 17 Austria Finland 13 Latvia 8 Romania 33 Belgium 22 France 72 Lithuania 12 Slovakia 13 Bulgaria 17 Germany 99 Luxembourg 6 Slovenia 7 Cyprus 6 Greece 22 Malta 5 50 Spain 22 Czech Republic Hungary 22 Netherlands 25 Sweden 18 Denmark 13 Ireland 12 Poland 50 United Kingdom 72 6 Estonia Italy 72 Portugal 22 Total 736

The European Political Parties Number of seats in the European Parliament per political group (January 2010) Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe 84 European People’s Party (Christian Democrats) 265 Greens/European Free Alliance 55 Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Socialists and Democrats Democrats 184 European Conservatives and Reformists 54 Europe of Freedom and Democracy 32 European United Left - Nordic Green Left 35 Total : 736 Non-attached members 27

Council of the European Union 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 the European Union number of votes per country Germany, France, Italy and the United Kingdom 29 Spain and Poland 27 Romania 14 Netherlands 13 Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary and Portugal 12 Austria, Bulgaria and Sweden 10 Denmark, Ireland, Lithuania, Slovakia and Finland 7 Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Luxembourg and Slovenia 4 Malta 3 Total: 345 “Qualified majority” needed for many decisions: 255 votes and a majority of member states From 2014: 55% of the Member States with 65% of the population

Summit of the European Council Summit of heads of state and government of all EU countries Held at least 4 times a year Sets the overall guidelines for EU policies President: Herman Van Rompuy

The European Commission promoting the common interest Proposes new legislation Manages and implements EU policies and budget Guardian of the treaties Represents the EU on the international stage 27 independent members, one from each EU country

The European Court of Justice upholding the law Rules on how to interpret EU law Ensures EU countries apply EU laws in the same way 27 independent judges, one from each EU country

The European Court of Auditors getting value for your money Checks that EU funds are used properly Can audit any person or organization dealing with EU funds 27 Independent members

The European Central Bank managing the euro Ensures price stability Controls money supply and decides interest rates Works independently from governments

Civil servants working for the EU Commission employs about 23,000 permanent civil servants and 11,000 temporary or contract workers

Other EU institutions about 10,000 employed Permanent civil servants Selected by open competitions Come from all EU countries Salaries decided by law EU administration costs €15 per EU citizen per year