Copyright 2007 – Biz/ed The European Union 1 All photographs and graphics courtesy of European Commission Audiovisual Library
Copyright 2007 – Biz/ed The European Union
Copyright 2007 – Biz/ed The EU, USA and Japan Comparison between Japan-EU-USA population, share of world GDP, share of world trade
Copyright 2007 – Biz/ed Institutions
Copyright 2007 – Biz/ed Political EU Parliament – Currently 785 MEPs. Based in France, Belgium and Luxembourg –Passes laws, monitors budget, monitors EU institutions EU Council – Ministerial representations from each member state –Passes laws, approves EU budget, co-ordination of economic policies, develops foreign policy, co-ordinates anti-crime strategies EU Commission – 20 Commissioners appointed by each member state every 5 years –Proposes legislation, implements EU policies, law enforcement, international co-ordination
Copyright 2007 – Biz/ed Financial European Central Bank – inflation target of less than 2% per year, sets short term interest rates for the whole eurozone area, –Implements and monitors Eurozone monetary policy European Investment Bank – ‘owned’ by member states. Raise finance through financial markets, –Invest in projects to promote aims of EU – large scale projects Court of Auditors – monitors legality and efficiency of EU income and expenditure
Copyright 2007 – Biz/ed Legal Court of Justice – one judge from each member state –Interprets and applies EU legislation
Copyright 2007 – Biz/ed Member States pre-Enlargement
Copyright 2007 – Biz/ed Member States Map reproduced with permission from
Copyright 2007 – Biz/ed Enlargement - New Members Cyprus Cyprus Czech Republic Czech Republic Estonia Estonia Hungary Hungary Latvia Latvia Lithuania Lithuania Malta Malta Poland Poland Slovakia Slovakia Slovenia Slovenia
Copyright 2007 – Biz/ed Activities
Copyright 2007 – Biz/ed Agriculture CAP – Common Agricultural Policy –Sustainablility –Food Quality –Animal Welfare –Food Safety –Control –Farmers welfare/incomes –Employment in agriculture
Copyright 2007 – Biz/ed Fisheries CFP – Common Fisheries Policy –Conservation of fish stocks –Aid to fishing industry to cope with changing circumstances –Monitor supply and demand for fish –Negotiate with non-EU members on fishing issues
Copyright 2007 – Biz/ed Regions European Regional Development Fund European Social Fund European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance –Aims to encourage development of poorer regions –Increase employment opportunities –Encourage new industry to locate in areas of structural decline –Develop infrastructure in poorer regions –Encourage new training methods and facilities
Copyright 2007 – Biz/ed Finance/Economics Euro – monitor introduction and development Tax Harmonisation – reduce differentials in tax regimes throughout the single market to aid competition and transparency Single Market – free movement of goods, services, labour and capital between member states
Copyright 2007 – Biz/ed Eurozone 2001 Members of the Eurozone, UK, Denmark and Norway currently outside the zone