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The European Union

The European Union. What is the EU ?. A “family” of 27 European countries. What is the EU: The Origins. The old dream of European brotherhood From enemies to “Family” From war to peace. What is the EU: The Origins. Making war unthinkable among Europeans

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The European Union

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  1. The European Union

  2. What is the EU ? • A “family” of 27 European countries

  3. What is the EU: The Origins • The old dream of European • brotherhood • From enemies to “Family” • From war to peace

  4. What is the EU:The Origins • Making war unthinkable among Europeans • Together managing main materials used in war: coal and steel

  5. What is the EU: Its birth • 9 May 1950: Schuman calls for a European Coal and Steel Community • 6 founding States decide to share and co-manage coal and steel.

  6. What is the EU: Its birth • The 6 founding States decide to share and co-manage other policy areas and to build up an economic union (Treaty of Rome, 1957) • Other members joined gradually in the following years

  7. A few facts • 27 Member States • Some European countries would also like to join • Others prefer not to join for the time being, like Norway and Switzerland

  8. A few facts • The EU is over 10 times the size of Japan

  9. A few facts • The total population of the EU countries is approximately 4 times the population of Japan. Almost 500 million

  10. What the EU means for its citizens • More and more laws that citizens have to follow are decided in Brussels, by the 27 Member States

  11. What the EU means for its citizens: examples Mobile phones EU laws pushing for: • Investment in research • Making mobile phones work all around Europe • Lower Prices Previously different systems in each country, a common one now.

  12. Principal objects of EU • EstablishEuropean Citizenship • Ensure freedom, security, and justice • Promoteeconomic and social progress • AssertEurope’s role in the world

  13. The EU is run by five institutions, each playing a specific role: • European Parliament • elected by the peoples of the MemberStates • Council of the Union • composed of the governments of theMember States • European Commission • driving force and executive body • Court of Justice • compliance with the law • Court of Auditors • sound and lawful management of the EU budget

  14. United Diversity • The people of the EU are all different but united as Europeans • These differences make up European culture • The EU has 23 official languages: Dobre rano ! God Morgen ! Goedemorgen ! Good morning ! Tere hommikust ! Hyvää huomenta ! Bonjour ! Guten Morgen ! Kalimera ! Jo reggelt ! Buon giorno ! Labrīt ! Labas Rytas ! L-Ghodwa t-tajba ! Dzień dobry ! Bom dia ! Dobre rano ! Dobro jutro ! Buenos días ! God Morgon !

  15. The EU Headquarters • Brussels, Belgium • Selected as the headquarters of the European Union because of its centralized location in Europe.

  16. Some historical developments • Completion of the single market in 1993, free movement of persons, goods, services and capital • No need to show passports inside Schengen area

  17. Some historical developments The Euro • A single European currency • Introduced in 2002 • 15 countries use the Euro today • Bank notes are illustrated with examples of European architecture • One side of the coins is different in each Euro country, the other is the same for all

  18. Some historical developments Enlargement: • The fall of the Iron Curtain • Reunification of Germany More countries joined the EU “family” in 2004 (+10 countries) and 2007 (+ Romania and Bulgaria) • This is how we came to be 27 Member States!

  19. More countries to join ? Some countries have declared that they want to join and are preparing for it, such as Turkey

  20. EU in the World:a trading power • EU is the main exporter in the world • EU is the second largest importer • EU is the third largest export market for Japan, and its third largest source of imports

  21. EU in the World Sharing the European way with the world • Culture of constant consultation and compromise • Global challenges to be handled together • Just as Japan and the EU will do with their partners at the G8

  22. Facing Climate Change • Situation of emergency • EU in a leading position  Responsibility of developed economies to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions  all have to participate  Helping the developing world

  23. Facing Climate Change Affordable, ambitious goal EU goals for 2020 • 20% of renewable energy • - 20 % of GHG emissions • - 30% if others do their part • Benefits from action • Lower dependency on imported energy • Better health for all • A new impetus for our economies

  24. EU in the World: top donor of development aid Development aid(Global solidarity) The EU provides 55% of total international aid Promotes peace, prosperity and stability in less-favoured parts of the globe E.g.: EU emergency and reconstruction help to Afghanistan

  25. The Lisbon Treaty • The functioning of the EU is based on Treaties, not on a constitution • Last Treaty agreed in Lisbon in December 2007 • For the first time, there will be an EU president • And a new EU “minister of Foreign Affairs”

  26. The Lisbon Treaty • Greater cooperation on more issues • More democracy and transparency • Fairer voting system and more efficient decision making

  27. The End.

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