European Union European Union

EU built on treaties

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE EU A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE EU The European Union has gone through many incarnations since its origins fifty-plus years ago.

European Coal and Steel Community European Coal and Steel Community * 1952: The basis of the EU began with the signing of the Treaty of Paris, establishing the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), to regulate European industry & improve commerce, post WWII. * The six founding states were Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and The Netherlands. *1957: the Treaties of Rome were signed by the six member states, forming: -The European Economic Community (EEC) -The European Atomic Energy Community (Euroatom) * These units worked concurrently with the ECSC. Treaties of Rome European Coal and Steel CommunityTreaties of Rome

The European Communities (EC) The European Communities (EC) n 1967: ECSC, EEC, and EuroAtom merged to form the basis of the EC. n 1973: the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Ireland joined the EC. n 1981: Greece joined. n 1986: Spain and Portugal joined.

Goals of the EC n To continue to improve Europe’s economy by regulating trade and commerce. regulating trade and commerce. n To form a single market for Europe's economic resources. n As these goals were accomplished, other goals were developed: goals were developed: n Environmental movements n Regulatory acts n Human rights concerns.

Single European Act Single European Act (SEA) Single European Act n SEA (1987): –An attempt to simplity the decision making process by extending ”qualified majority voting” (QMV) to new areas, replacing the need for unanimity. –A step forward in cooperation with the introduction of the SINGLE MARKET. –Single market is based on 4 freedoms: n The free movement of: –Goods –Capital –Services –People –The first ideas of an economic and monetary union are introduced, but no specific details.

THE EUROPEAN UNION 1992: the Maastricht Treaty was ratified, which rechartered the EC as the European Union.Maastricht Treaty

Basis of the EU The European Union is based on the rule of law and democracy. It is neither a new State replacing existing ones nor is it comparable to other international organisations. Its Member States delegate sovereignty to common institutions representing the interests of the Union as a whole on questions of joint interest. All decisions and procedures are derived from the basic treaties ratified by the Member States. The European Union is based on the rule of law and democracy. It is neither a new State replacing existing ones nor is it comparable to other international organisations. Its Member States delegate sovereignty to common institutions representing the interests of the Union as a whole on questions of joint interest. All decisions and procedures are derived from the basic treaties ratified by the Member States.

The 3 pillars of the EU The 3 pillars of the EU European Union First pillar European Communities Second pillar Common foreign and security policy Third pillar Police and Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters

Principal Objects of the EU n Establish European Citizenship n Ensure freedom, security, and justice n Promote economic and social progress n Assert Europe’s role in the world

Eastward enlargement n Copenhangen criteria 1993 Copenhangen criteria Copenhangen criteria 3 criteria 3 criteria –Political: democracy, rule of law, human rights, protection of and respect for minorities. –Economic: functioning market economy. –Legislative: ability to meet the requirements (legal and administrative) of EU membership (acquis communautaire).

1995 n Finland, Sweden, and Austria.

2004 country - date of EU application n Cyprus - 3 July 1990 n Malta - 16 July 1990 n Hungary - 31 March 1994 n Poland - 5 April 1994 n Slovakia - 27 June 1995 n Latvia - 13 October 1995 n Estonia - 24 November 1995 n Lithuania - 8 December 1995 n Czech Republic - 17 January 1996 n Slovenia - 10 June 1996

2007 n Bulgaria and Romania

Treaty of Lisbon Treaty of Lisbon (2009) Treaty of Lisbon n ”…enhancing the efficiency and democratic legitimacy of the Union…” n Amended and consolidated earlier treaties. n Expanded QMV in Council of EU. n EU Parliament became more powerful. n EU bill of right’s becomes legally binding.

Terms you must know! Intergovernmental- decision making power lies with individual member states. Intergovernmental- decision making power lies with individual member states. Supranational – decision making power is held by the organisation. Decisions made by majority. Supranational – decision making power is held by the organisation. Decisions made by majority. Federalism – the idea that political power is shared between the participant states and the federal level. Division of power is governed by a constitution. Federalism – the idea that political power is shared between the participant states and the federal level. Division of power is governed by a constitution.