Europe Day On the 9th of May annually is Europe Day, but this year the celebration in the UK is slightly different because on the on the 23rd of June people of voting age will be voting in the UK whether to say in or leave the European Union.

What is the European Union? The European Union - often known as the EU - is an economic and political partnership involving 28 European countries. It began after World War Two to foster economic co-operation, with the idea that countries which trade together are more likely to avoid going to war with each other. It has since grown to become a "single market" allowing goods and people to move around, basically as if the member states were one country. It has its own currency, the euro, which is used by 19 of the member countries, its own parliament and it now sets rules in a wide range of areas - including on the environment, transport, consumer rights and even things like mobile phone charges.

How it works

The European Union: 500 million people – 28 countries Member States of the European Union Candidate countries and potential candidates 5

Founders of the European Union New ideas for lasting peace and prosperity… Konrad Adenauer Alcide De Gasperi Winston Churchill Robert Schuman Jean Monnet

The EU symbols The motto: United in diversity The European anthem The European flag Europe Day, 9 May

24 official languages Български Čeština dansk Deutsch eesti keel Ελληνικά English español français Gaeilge hrvatski Italiano latviešu valoda lietuvių kalba magyar Malti Nederlands polski português Română slovenčina slovenščina suomi svenska 8

Enlargement: from six to 28 countries

The big enlargement: uniting east and west 1989 Fall of Berlin Wall – end of Communism EU economic help begins: Phare programme 1992 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 to a big enlargement of 10 new countries 2004 Ten new EU members: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia 2007 Bulgaria and Romania join the EU 2013 Croatia joins on 1 July 10

Candidate countries and potential candidates Country Area (x 1000 km²) Population (millions) Wealth (gross domestic product per person) Bosnia and Herzegovina 51 3.8 7 600 Montenegro 14 0.6 10 900 Kosovo under UN Security Resolution 1244 11 1.8 : The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 25 2.1 9 100 Albania 28 2.9 7 500 Serbia 77 7.2 Turkey 783 76.7 13 800 The 28 EU countries together 4 272 507.4 25 700

The treaties – basis for democratic cooperation built on law 1952 The European Coal and Steel Community 1958 The treaties of Rome: • The European Economic Community • The European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM) 1987 The European Single Act: the Single Market 1993 Treaty on European Union - Maastricht 1999 Treaty of Amsterdam 2003 Treaty of Nice 2009 Treaty of Lisbon 12

The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights Binding for all the EU's activities 54 articles under 6 titles: Dignity Freedoms Equality Solidarity Citizens’ rights Justice 13

EU population compared to the rest of the world Population in millions (2015) 14

EU surface area compared to the rest of the world Surface area (x 1000 km²) 15

How rich is the EU compared to the rest of the world? Size of economy: GDP in trillions of euro (2013) Wealth per person: GDP per person (2013)

How does the EU spend its money? 2015 EU budget: € 145.3 billion = 1.02 % of gross national income Global Europe: including development aid 6 % Other, administration Smart and inclusive growth: jobs, competitiveness, regional development 46 % Security and citizenship, justice 2 % Sustainable growth – natural resources: agriculture, environment 40 %

Climate change – a global challenge To stop global warming, EU leaders decided in 2014 to: reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 % by 2030, compared to 1990 raise the share of renewable energy to 27 % by 2030 (wind, solar, hydro power, biomass) increase energy efficiency by 27 % by 2030 18

The single market: freedom of choice Four freedoms of movement: goods services people capital The single market has led to: significant reductions in the price of many products and services, including airfares and phone calls more choice for consumers 2.8 million new jobs 19

Free to move ‘Schengen’ No police or customs checks at borders between most EU countries Controls strengthened at the EU’s external borders More cooperation between police from different EU countries Buy and bring back any goods for personal use when you travel between EU countries

Going abroad to learn Erasmus+ Every year, more than 400 000 young people study or pursue personal development in other European countries with the support of the EU’s Erasmus+ programme for education, training, youth and sport.

An area of freedom, security and justice EU Charter of Fundamental Rights Joint fight against terrorism Cooperation between police and law- enforcers in different EU countries Coordinated asylum and immigration policies Civil law cooperation

The EU – a major trading power % of global exports goods (2012) % of global exports services (2012)

The EU is the biggest provider of development aid in the world The EU provides over half of all development aid Official development aid, billion € (2013)

Protecting consumers' rights As a consumer you are protected by basic laws all over the EU, even when you travel or shop online Clear labelling Health and safety standards Unfair practice in contracts prohibited Passengers’ rights, such as compensation for long delays Help to resolve problems

The 23rd of June 2016 The date above will be a very important time not just for the EU but also for Great Britain. Whether we decide to stay a part of the EU will be down to the citizens of the UK