1. Chapter 28: The Complexities of Regions
Development and expansion of the European Union
A region whose boundaries have changed and expanded over time
Dream of two Frenchmen, Robert Schuman and Jean Monnet
EU developed after WW2
Economic, social and political development
It was hoped that by joining European countries together they could rival the Soviet Union and the USA which dominated world trade at that time

2. Chapter 28: The Complexities of Regions
Timeline of events
1951: EU began
Treaty of Paris
Six original members were France, Belgium, West Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Luxembourg
ECSC (European Coal and Steel Community)
Free movement of coal, iron and steel
1957: ECSC was renamed as the EEC (European Economic Community)
Treaty of Rome

3. Chapter 28: The Complexities of Regions
Timeline of events (continued)
To increase trade between the countries by creating a common market
Aid economic development of the member states
The free movement of labour, capital and goods
Tariffs were eliminated
CAP (Common Agricultural Policy)
Euratom
Nuclear industry in Europe

4. Chapter 28: The Complexities of Regions
Timeline of events (continued)
1965: EEC it changed its name again to the EC (European Community) as it was now was not solely focused on economic issues but also social and political
Newly elected European Parliament
New laws
European Commission
EC legislation
European Court of Justice
Single market

5. Chapter 28: The Complexities of Regions
Timeline of events (continued)
1973: Ireland, Great Britain and Denmark joined the EC
1981: Greece joined the EC
1986: Spain and Portugal joined the EC
The Single European Act (SEA)
Schengen Agreement which abolished all major checks at all EU internal borders
1992: The Maastricht Treaty
EC to the EU
Monetary union

6. Chapter 28: The Complexities of Regions
Timeline of events (continued)
1995: Austria, Finland and Sweden joined the EU
1997: Amsterdam Treaty was signed
Enlargement as great numbers of countries applied to join the EU
2002: common currency - the euro
Now controlled by the European Central Bank
2003: The Nice Treaty
Charter of Fundamental Rights: this charter defines the civic, political, economic and social rights of EU citizens

7. Chapter 28: The Complexities of Regions
Timeline of events (continued)
2004: the largest single expansion in the history of the EU
2007: Bulgaria and Romania joined the EU
2010: today there are 27 member states of the EU
The EU is the largest most prosperous trading bloc in the world
Five enlargements to the EU
Some countries joining the EU were viewed as underdeveloped, e.g. Bulgaria

8. Chapter 28: The Complexities of Regions
Future of Europe and the European Union
Political union
EU is based on a strong political union between member states
CFSP (Common Foreign and Security Policy) was established by member states of the EU to deal with environmental, defence and international affairs
Peace-keeping role
Some areas of conflict
Neutrality of countries
Different political agendas
EU constitution

9. Chapter 28: The Complexities of Regions
Economic Union
EU has free movement of goods and people because of the elimination of all hidden barriers to trade
2004: ten new member states, some with less well developed economies, joined the EU
Cohesion is one of the biggest challenges for the EU as the 2004 enlargement cost €25 billion in taxation
Increased prosperity
More raw materials
Low cost of labour
Helps to reduce the ‘greying’ of the core EU countries

10. Chapter 28: The Complexities of Regions
Economic Union
Modernisation
Greater harmony and peaceful co-operation
New member states
Increased outward migration
Impacted on the receiver countries
Undercutting local salary rates
Bulk of structural funds for 2007–2013 have been allocated to improve the economies of the newer member states mainly located in Central and Eastern Europe

11. Chapter 28: The Complexities of Regions
Sovereignty
More countries look to join
Another concern for the EU is that the majority of the most recently elected members were former states of the USSR
Have found it hard to adjust to democratic processes of the EU
European Commission – it proposes new laws
European Parliament – democratic debate
Council of the EU – main decision-making body
European Council – political guidance to the EU

12. Chapter 28: The Complexities of Regions
Future tensions
Smaller states voice may not be heard if the EU continues to enlarge
Laws that affect all areas of people’s lives
Some member states nervous of the power of the EU, some people are not completely happy with the full integration that joining the EU has caused
EU could be defined as a ‘supranational union’

13. Chapter 28: The Complexities of Regions
The impact of the enlargement of the EU on one member state: Ireland
Contributed to taxes
Provided skills
Filled gap in the manual labour market
Supported the Irish economy and increased domestic demand for consumer goods
New businesses
Remittance money was sent home
Exploited in their work in Ireland
Racism and bullying in the workplace

14. Chapter 28: The Complexities of Regions
In 2006, 10 per cent of the population of Ireland was composed of foreign nationals
Polish people are the largest group of EU citizens living in Ireland and over 25,000 new work permits were issued to Polish people in Ireland in 2006
200,000 new PPS numbers were issued in Ireland to people from the 10 new member states that joined the EU in 2004 only two years after they joined
Increased cultural mixing

15. Chapter 28: The Complexities of Regions
In 2006, 10 per cent of the population of Ireland was composed of foreign nationals (continued)
Irish newspapers produced Polish editions, e.g. The Evening Herald
Mass is said in Polish in many churches
Multicultural families
Integration of students of different nationalities into the school community
Leaving Certificate examination available in their own native language