1. THE EUROPEAN UNION Lesson 1
Why should students in the United States study Europe and the European Union?

2. Partners in Global Leadership
The EU and U.S. work together:
Fighting terrorism and transnational crime
Advancing global trade liberalization
Combating piracy and intellectual property violations
Promoting peace, freedom and the rule of law

3. The EU and the U.S.
Are helping restore peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Work together in the Middle East Quartet to advance the peace process.
Agree with each other on many policies, and others tend to follow.

4. Shared Values and Responsibilities
Freedom & Democracy
Support free elections, good governance, human rights, and the rule of law around the world
Security
Fight terrorism, limit the spread of nuclear weapons, and work for global peace
Development
Jointly provide 80% of global development assistance – a larger share of it in times of disaster and conflict

5. A Dynamic Transatlantic Economy
EU and U.S. together account for 40% of total global trade.
The intertwined economies employ million workers on both sides of the Atlantic.
Europe is by far the most significant source of foreign investment in the US economy.

6. In the U.S. European companies are the
leading foreign investors in the U.S.
The UK, Germany, France, and the Netherlands – top four sources of jobs created by foreign investment in the United States.
BMW’s assembly plant is South Carolina’s
largest private sector employer.

7. In the EU
American companies invest far more in EU countries than in Asia.
U.S. businesses make 5 times the profit in the Netherlands - alone - as they make in China.
In 2005, EU investments in Texas alone surpassed all U.S. investments in China and Japan, combined.

8. Future of Transatlantic Relations
The EU and U.S. face common challenges that are global in origin and impact.
With global challenges, come global responsibilities.

9. Future of Transatlantic Relations
The EU and U.S. are natural partners and lead in four key areas:
Promoting peace, human rights and democracy worldwide.
Confronting global challenges.
Fostering prosperity and opportunity.
Advancing strategic cooperation on energy security and environmental issues.

10. “We [the United States and the European Union] are not geopolitical or strategic rivals. We do not pursue different visions of global order, based on competing values. Ours is a win-win relationship. The US has a lot to gain from upgrading its relations with the EU, and vice versa.”
A NEW ATLANTICISM FOR THE 21st CENTURY José Manuel Durao Barroso,
President of the European Commission
26 March 2010

11. THE EUROPEAN UNION
How did Europe transition from a period of conflict to a period of sustained peace?

12. The Treaties – Basis for democratic cooperation built on law
1958 The treaties of Rome:
The European Economic Community
(EEC)
The European Atomic Energy Community
(EURATOM)
1952 The European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC)
2009
Treaty of Lisbon
1987 The Single European Act
2003 Treaty of Nice
1993 Treaty on European Union – Maastricht
1999 Treaty of Amsterdam

13. Founders – International Cooperation
New ideas for lasting peace and prosperity…
Konrad Adenauer
Alcide De Gasperi
Winston Churchill
Robert Schuman
Jean Monnet

14. European Coal and Steel Community
1952:
European Coal and Steel Community
In the aftermath of World War II, the aim was to secure peace among Europe’s victorious and vanquished nations and bring them together as equals, cooperating within shared institutions.
Based on a plan by French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman.
Six founding countries – Belgium, the Federal Republic of Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands – signed a treaty to run heavy industries (coal and steel) under common management.
Jean Monnet and other leaders with
the first “European” ingot of steel

15. 1958:
Treaty of Rome
The six founding countries expanded cooperation to other economic sectors, creating the European Economic Community (EEC) – or “common market.”
As a result, people, goods, services, and capital today move freely across the Union.
Signing of the Treaty of Rome, 1957

16. 1952 Founding Members Belgium France Germany Italy Luxembourg
Netherlands

17. 1973
Denmark
Ireland
United Kingdom

18. 1981
Greece

19. 1986
Portugal
Spain

20. Poland’s Solidarity Party gains legal status
1989
Fall of the
Berlin Wall
sets the
stage for
unifying
Europe and
EU enlargement +
Poland’s Solidarity Party gains legal status

21. 1995
Austria
Finland
Sweden

22. 2004 Cyprus Czech Republic Estonia Hungary Latvia Lithuania Malta
Poland
Slovakia
Slovenia

23. 2007
Bulgaria
Romania

24. Candidate Countries Potential
Croatia
former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Iceland
Turkey
Potential
Albania
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Kosovo under UN
Security Council Resolution 1244
Montenegro
Serbia

25. Enlargement – from 6 to 27 countries
1952
1973
1981
1986
2007
1990
1995
2004

26. Over 50 Years of EU Integration
Enlargement has:
Inspired reforms and consolidated common principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, while enabling market-oriented economic reforms.
Enhanced the EU’s weight in the world and made it a stronger and more attractive international partner.
“Enlargement has been a success story for the European Union and Europe as a whole. It has helped to overcome the division of Europe and contributed to peace and stability throughout the continent.”
European Council Declaration Dec. 15, 2006
Member States 6 27
Population 174 million 500 million
Languages 4 23

27. The Big Enlargement – healing the division of Europe
Fall of Berlin Wall – end of Communism in Central and Eastern Europe
EU economic help begins: PHARE program
1989
1993
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 enlargement
2004
10 new EU members: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia
2007
Bulgaria and Romania join the EU
© Reuders
Candidates:
Croatia, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Iceland, Turkey

28. taking Europe into the 21st century
The Lisbon treaty –
taking Europe into the 21st century
The Treaty will make the European Union:
More efficient Simpler processes, full-time president for the Council.
More democratic Stronger role for the European Parliament and national parliaments, "Citizens Initiative", Charter of Fundamental Rights.
More transparent Clarifies who does what, greater public access to documents and meetings.
More united on High Representative for Foreign Policy.
the world stage
More secure New possibilities to fight climate change and terrorism, secure energy supplies.

29. Celebrating the European Union - A Half Century of Change and Progress
Since the creation of the EU half a century ago, Europe has enjoyed the longest period of peace in its history.
European political integration is unprecedented in history.
EU enlargement has helped overcome the division of Europe – contributing to peace, prosperity, and stability across the continent.
A single market and a common currency benefit companies and consumers.
EU has united the citizens of Europe – while preserving Europe’s diversity.
European Union
United in diversity

30. THE EUROPEAN UNION
How does the structure of government within the EU compare with the structure of government in the United States?

31. Promoting the common interest
Three key players
The European
Commission
Promoting the common interest

32. The EU Institutions European Council (Summit) European Parliament
Council of the EU
European Commission
Court of Justice
Court of Auditors
Committee of the Regions
Economic and Social Committee
European Investment Bank
European Central Bank
Agencies

33. European Commission President José Manuel Barroso
27 Commissioners, each responsible for specific policy areas, representing the common European perspective.
Proposes legislation and enforces laws.
Negotiates trade agreements.
Manages Europe’s multilateral development cooperation.
European Commission President José Manuel Barroso

34. Council of the European Union
EU’s main decision-making body, comprised of ministers of 27 Member States, representing each Member State’s point of view.
Decides on foreign policy issues.
Council presidency rotates among Member States every six months.

35. European Parliament Voice of European citizens.
Members elected for five-year terms.
With the Council, passes EU laws and adopts EU budgets.
Approves EU Commissioners.

36. European Court of Justice
Highest EU judicial authority.
Ensures all EU laws are interpreted and applied correctly and uniformly.
Can act as an independent policy maker but unlike the U.S. Supreme Court, the ECJ can only deal with matters covered by the Treaties.

37. How EU laws are made
Citizens, interest groups, experts: discuss, consult
Commission: makes formal proposal
Parliament and Council of Ministers: decide jointly
National or local authorities: implement
Commission and Court of Justice:
monitor implementation

38. The European Parliament
Decides EU laws and budget together with Council of the European Union
Provides democratic supervision of all the EU’s work
Number of members elected in each country (January 2010) 17
Austria
Finland 13
Latvia 8
Romania 33
Belgium 22
France 72
Lithuania 12
Slovakia 13
Bulgaria 17
Germany 99
Luxembourg 6
Slovenia 7
Cyprus 6
Greece 22
Malta 5 50
Spain 22
Czech Republic
Hungary 22
Netherlands 25
Sweden 18
Denmark 13
Ireland 12
Poland 50
United Kingdom 72 6
Estonia
Italy 72
Portugal 22
Total
736

39. The European Political Parties
Number of seats in the European Parliament per political group
(January 2010)
Alliance of Liberals and
Democrats for Europe 84
European People’s Party (Christian Democrats)
265
Greens/European Free Alliance 55
Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Socialists and Democrats Democrats
184
European Conservatives and Reformists 54
Europe of Freedom and Democracy 32
European United
Left - Nordic Green Left 35
Total : 736
Non-attached members 27

40. Council of the European Union voice of the member states
One minister from each EU country
Presidency: rotates every six months
Decides EU laws and budget together with Parliament
Manages the common foreign and security policy

41. Council of the European Union number of votes per country
Germany, France, Italy and the United Kingdom 29
Spain and Poland 27
Romania 14
Netherlands 13
Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary and Portugal 12
Austria, Bulgaria and Sweden 10
Denmark, Ireland, Lithuania, Slovakia and Finland 7
Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Luxembourg and Slovenia 4
Malta 3
Total:
345
“Qualified majority” needed for many decisions: 255 votes and a majority of member states
From 2014: 55% of the Member States with 65% of the population

42. Summit of the European Council
Summit of heads of state and government of all EU countries
Held at least 4 times a year
Sets the overall guidelines for EU policies
President: Herman Van Rompuy

43. The European Commission
promoting the common interest
Proposes new legislation
Manages and implements
EU policies and budget
Guardian of the treaties
Represents the EU on the
international stage
27 independent members, one from each EU country

44. The European Court of Justice
upholding the law
Rules on how to interpret EU law
Ensures EU countries apply EU laws in the same way
27 independent judges, one from each EU country

45. The European Court of Auditors getting value for your money
Checks that EU funds are
used properly
Can audit any person or
organization dealing with
EU funds
27 Independent members

46. The European Central Bank
managing the euro
Ensures price stability
Controls money supply and decides interest rates
Works independently from governments

47. Civil servants working for the EU
Commission employs about 23,000 permanent civil servants and 11,000 temporary or contract workers

48. Other EU institutions about 10,000 employed
Permanent civil servants
Selected by open competitions
Come from all EU countries
Salaries decided by law
EU administration costs €15 per EU citizen per year