1. European Union The Block Besir Besler Maxime Vignon

2. EU BlockB.Besler & M.Vignon2 Building the European Union –Treaties Inside the Union –Structure –Cultures –Enlargement The EU Block –Figures –Conflicts –SWOT analysis

3. EU BlockB.Besler & M.Vignon3 I. Origins and Evolution

4. EU BlockB.Besler & M.Vignon4 EU Member Countries Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, UK Candidate countries Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey Others Iceland, Norway, Russia, Switzerland, Ukraine

5. EU BlockB.Besler & M.Vignon5 The Treaty of Paris was seen as foundational in bringing together Europe in peace after the Second World War and having established European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) by (West) Germany, France, Italy and the Benelux (Belgium-Netherlands- Luxembourg) countries

6. EU BlockB.Besler & M.Vignon6 The first full customs union was originally known as the European Economic Community (EEC) established by the Treaty of Rome in 1957.

7. EU BlockB.Besler & M.Vignon7 By Merger Treaty all three European Communities (ECSC, EC, and Eurotom) were gathered together

8. EU BlockB.Besler & M.Vignon8 The Maastricht Treaty led to the creation of the European Union and was the result of separate negotiations on monetary union and on political union. The treaty also created the Euro, and introduced the three-pillar structure.

9. EU BlockB.Besler & M.Vignon9 The Amsterdam Treaty meant a greater emphasis on citizenship and the rights of individuals, more democracy in the shape of increased power for the European Parliament.

10. EU BlockB.Besler & M.Vignon10 The primary purpose of the Treaty of Nice was to reform the institutional structure to withstand the Enlargement of the European Union

11. EU BlockB.Besler & M.Vignon11 European Constitution, signed in 2004 but has not yet come to pass, intended to create a constitution for the European Union

12. EU BlockB.Besler & M.Vignon12 II. Inside the European Union

13. EU BlockB.Besler & M.Vignon13 The Three Pillars of the EU

14. EU BlockB.Besler & M.Vignon14 The ECB Supranational instit. The Euro (€) Decision-making process + Lack of feedback + Inappropriate objectives = Cost of stability

15. EU BlockB.Besler & M.Vignon15 Cultures and Enlargement Major influences The Constitution flop Debate on nuclear Enlargement criteria Turkey Montenegro

16. EU BlockB.Besler & M.Vignon16 III. The European Block

17. EU BlockB.Besler & M.Vignon17 - The Union ……..a common single market consisting of a customs union and a single currency managed by the European Central Bank - In 1985, the Schengen Agreement was signed to abolish passport control, customs checks, and many of the EU's internal borders, creating a single space of mobility for EU citizens to live, travel, work and invest - The European Union's activities cover all areas of public policy, from health and economic policy to foreign affairs and defence. However, the extent of its powers differs greatly between areas - Depending on the area in question, the EU may therefore resemble - a federation (e.g. on monetary affairs, agricultural, trade and environmental policy, economic and social policy), - a confederation (e.g. on home affairs) - an international organisation (e.g. in foreign affairs).

18. EU BlockB.Besler & M.Vignon18 Growth: - Even though the EU economy has a low growth rate it is expected to grow further over the next decade as more countries join the union - especially considering that the new member states are usually poorer than the EU average. It's economic growth has been below that of the United States most years since 1990.

19. EU BlockB.Besler & M.Vignon19 Currency: The Euro was introduced to world financial markets as an accounting currency in 1999 and launched as physical coins and banknotes in 2002 US to Euro - Last 5 years

20. EU BlockB.Besler & M.Vignon20 The effects of Euro lowered exchange rate risks the removal of bank transaction charges financial markets are expected to be far more liquid and flexible Improved macroeconomic stability differences in prices - in particular in price levels - should decrease about the possible dangers of adopting a single currency for a large and diverse area

21. EU BlockB.Besler & M.Vignon21 Unemployment: - Unemployment provides one of the most important challenges for economic policymakers in Europe over the next ten years. - The unemployment rate in the European Union in January 2006 was 8.5%, this compares this compares with 4.1% in Japan and 5.1% in the United States. Unemployment Rate (%) Euro Zone ______ vs. US.______

22. EU BlockB.Besler & M.Vignon22 Trade:

23. EU BlockB.Besler & M.Vignon23

24. EU BlockB.Besler & M.Vignon24 Impact of Blocks Trade increases Natural Gas Steel Farm subsidies EU’s SWOT

25. EU BlockB.Besler & M.Vignon25 Questions and Comments ?