European Union A family of democratic countries committed to working together for peace and prosperity Sometimes called the United States of Europe It does not replace existing countries They do have a lot of things in common and they make decisions as a group Initial countries were Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands
History of the European Union Formed after World War II Europeans did not want that kind of killing and destruction again Started with six countries and it was mainly concerned with trade and commerce 27 countries now and 450 million people Europe is diverse, but it shares the values of democracy, freedom and social justice Come together with other countries as well
Fewer borders,more opportunities No passports needed to travel among EU countries Shop in other countries for cheaper goods without paying extra taxes One single currency, the Euro, allows shoppers to purchase merchandise throughout Europe Air travel, internet access, phone, and power are also cheaper due to fair competition among all the countries in the union
Greener Europe Environmentally conscious and they are working hard to protect the environment Strict rules for waste disposal Rivers and lakes are cleaner Kyota protocol works to reduce emissions Strict emissions on vehicles
Education and equal opportunites for all EU has opportunities for studies in other countries Bans discrimination of any kind Men and women have equal pay for equal work EU is a pioneer for women's rights
Euros This is the currency used by 12 of the countries in the union. 2/3 of the population This can be used in all the countries where the Euro is accepted Common design on one side and home country on the other
Jobs and prosperity Goal is to be the most knowledgeable and skilled in the world One third of budget is used to stimulate the economy and add jobs Training for unemployed and under qualified people Focusing on high tech jobs for the future
Freedom, security and justice Work together to battle terrorism Battle of cross border drug trafficking European arrest warrants EU makes it easier to solve border legal conflicts, like marriage and divorce
Peace and Stability War between the EU countries now is almost unthinkable due to the unity they developed They are trying to spread peace and prosperity They provide more humanitarian aid than anyone in Europe helping poor countries Protects other countries Wants to be a model for the rest of the world
A place in the Union Any European country can join, provided it has a stable democracy that guarantees the rule of law, human rights and the protection of minorities Must also have a functioning market economy and civil service capable of applying EU laws It sometimes takes up to 10 years to become a member They have a flag, national anthem, and EU day