1. The action is the n. 2009-1-CY1-GRU06-00492-5 (Coordinator country is Cyprus). www.ambiance-eu.blogspot.com/

2. The history of the EU 1945 -1959: A peaceful Europe – the beginnings of cooperation The roots of the European Union lie in the Second World War. After the war, Europe is split into East and West. West European nations create the Council of Europe in 1949. It is a first step towards cooperation between them, but six countries want to go further. 9 May 1950: French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman presents a plan for deeper cooperation. Later, every 9 May is celebrated as 'Europe Day'. The founding fathers of the European Union were: Konrad Adenauer Sir Winston Churchill Alcide de Gasperi Walter Hallstein Jean Monnet Robert Schuman Paul Henri Spaak Altiero Spinelli

3. 18 April 1951 Based on the Schuman plan, six countries sign a treaty to run their heavy industries (coal and steel) under a common management. Founding member states: Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. 25 March 1957 The six countries sign the Treaty of Rome, creating the European Economic Community (EEC): people, goods and services can move freely across borders.

4. 1960 – 1969: A period of economic growth August 1961 The communist authorities in East Germany build a wall across Berlin to prevent their citizens from escaping to a freer life in the West. 30 July 1962 The EU starts its ‘common agricultural policy’ giving the countries joint control over food production. 20 July 1963 The EU signs a deal to help 18 former colonies in Africa. The EU is the world’s biggest provider of development assistance to poorer countries. Its aid is linked to respect for human rights. 1 July 1968 The six remove customs duties on goods imported from each other, allowing free cross-border trade for the first time. They also apply the same duties on their imports from outside countries.

5. 1970 – 1979: A growing community 24 April 1972 The EU’s first plan for a single currency dates from 1970. To maintain monetary stability, EU members decide to allow their currencies to fluctuate against each other only within narrow limits. This exchange rate mechanism (ERM), created in 1972, is a first step towards the introduction of the euro. The fight against pollution intensifies in the 1970s. The EU adopts laws to protect the environment. 1 January 1973 Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom formally enter the EU. Member States: Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. New Member States: Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom. 10 December 1974 EU leaders set up the European Regional Development Fund. Its purpose is to transfer money from rich to poor regions to improve roads and communications, attract investment and create jobs. 7–10 June 1979 EU citizens directly elect the members of the European Parliament for the first time. Previously they were delegated by national parliaments.

6. 1980 – 1989: The changing face of Europe – the fall of the Berlin Wall In summer 1980, shipyard workers in the Polish city of Gdansk strike for more rights. Other strikes follow across the country until the government capitulates and Solidarność is created as an independent trade union. The government gradually reasserts its power and imposes martial law in December 1981, ending Poland’s brief encounter with people power. 1 January 1981 Greece joins the EU. Its military regime was overthrown and democracy restored in 1974. Member States: Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom. New Member State: Greece. 28 February 1984 The EU adopts the ‘Esprit’ programme in 1984 as the first of many research and development programmes it has since funded.

7. 1 January 1986 Spain and Portugal enter the EU, bringing membership to 12. Member States: Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, Ireland, United Kingdom and Greece. New Member States: Spain and Portugal. 17 February 1986 Although customs duties disappeared in 1968, there are still differences in national regulations. The Single European Act of 1986 launches a six-year programme to sort these out. 15 June 1987 The EU launches the ‘Erasmus’ programme to fund university students wishing to study for up to a year in another European country. The collapse of communism is symbolized by the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Germany is united after more than 40 years, and its eastern part joins the EU (October 1990).

8. 1990 – 1999: A Europe without frontier 7 February 1992 The Treaty on European Union is signed in Maastricht, setting clear rules for the future single currency. Under the treaty, the name ‘European Union’ officially replaces ‘European Community’. 1 January 1993 The single market is established: the free movement of goods, services, people and money is now reality. 1 January 1995 Austria, Finland and Sweden join the EU. In October 1990, Germany was unified and therefore former East Germany became part of the EU. Member States: Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, Ireland, United Kingdom, Greece, Spain and Portugal. New Member States: Austria, Finland and Sweden. 26 March 1995 The Schengen Agreement takes effect in Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Portugal. Travellers of any nationality can travel between all these countries without any passport control at the frontiers.

9. 17 June 1997 The Treaty of Amsterdam is signed and it builds on the achievements of the treaty from Maastricht, laying down plans to reform EU institutions and to concentrate more resources on employment and the rights of citizens. 13 December 1997 EU leaders start the process of membership negotiations with Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. Cyprus and Malta are also included. 1 January 1999 The euro is introduced in 11 countries for commercial and financial transactions only. Notes and coins will come later. The euro countries are Belgium, Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal and Finland. Denmark, Sweden and the United Kingdom decide to stay out.

10. 2000 – today: A decade of further expansion 1 January 2002 Euro notes and coins arrive; notes are the same for all countries; coins have one common face, while the other carries a national emblem. All circulate freely. 31 March 2003 The EU takes on peace-keeping operations in the Balkans, firstly in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and then in Bosnia and Herzegovina. EU-led forces replace NATO units. 1 May 2004 The Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia join the EU. Cyprus and Malta also become members. Member States: Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, Ireland, United Kingdom, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Finland and Sweden. New Member States: Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia. Candidate Countries: Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey.

11. 29 October 2004 The 25 EU countries sign a Treaty establishing a European Constitution. It has to be ratified by all 25 countries before it can come into force. When citizens in both France and the Netherlands voted 'No' to the Constitution in referendums in 2005, EU leaders declared a "period of reflection". The Kyoto Protocol, an international treaty to limit global warming and cut emissions of greenhouse gases, comes into force. The EU has taken the lead in efforts to reduce the impact of climate change but the United States didn’t sign the protocol.

12. 1 January 2007 Bulgaria and Romania join the EU, bringing the number of member states to 27 countries. Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Turkey are also candidates for future membership. Member States: Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, Ireland, United Kingdom, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Finland, Sweden, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia. New Member States: Bulgaria and Romania. Candidate Countries: Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Turkey.. 13 December 2007 The EU countries sign the Treaty of Lisbon that makes the EU more democratic, efficient and transparent, and thereby able to tackle global challenges such as climate change, security and sustainable development. 01 December 2009 The Treaty of Lisbon comes into force, after being ratified by each of the 27 Member States.

13. Example of good practises born with united Europe 1) TRAVELLING, LIVING AND WORKING IN EUROPE The first right of a European citizen is the right to travel, work and live anywhere in the Union (Treaty of Maastricht). 2) TRAVELLING IN EUROPE European citizens can obtain a European health insurance card, which helps cover medical costs if they fall ill while in another country. 3) WORKING IN EUROPE The citizens of any country in the EU can work in any Member State and they are subject to the same legislation and benefit from the same advantages as national employees.

14. 4) STUDYING IN EUROPE The EU has passed a directive establishing a system of mutual recognition of higher education qualifications. 5) POLITICAL RIGHTS IN EUROPE Under the Maastricht Treaty, every citizen of the Union has the right to vote and to stand as a candidate in local elections in his country and in elections to the European Parliament. 6) FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS IN EUROPE The Treaty of Amsterdam strengthened the concept of fundamental rights and introduced a procedure for taking action against an EU country that violates its citizens’ fundamental rights. It also extended the principle of non-discrimination related to nationality, gender, race, religion, age and sexual orientation.

15. Wave Network SEE-ECN Vicolo Luigi Lavista, 3 85100 Potenza Tel. 0971.23300 Fax 0971-21124 E-mail: euro-net@memex.it Web portal: www.synergy-net.info It is member of the following networks: