European Union

1. European Union

2. Demographics Birth rate: 1.05% -- 10.5 births/1,000 population; [2005] Death rate: .96% -- 9.6 deaths/1,000 population [2005] Net migration rate: .36% -- 3.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population [2005] Marriage rate: .48% -- 4.8 marriages/1,000 population [2005] Divorce rate: .2% -- 2.0 divorces/1,000 population [2005] Infant mortality rate: .45% -- 4.5 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy: total population: 78.9 years -male: 75.8 years -female: 81.9 years fertility rate: 1.52 children born/woman Live Births outside marriage: 33.0% of total live births Age structure: (2006 est.) *0-14 years: 16.03% (male 37,608,010/female 35,632,351) *15-64 years: 67.17% (male 154,439,536/female 152,479,619) *65 years and over: 16.81% (male 31,515,921/female 45,277,821)

3. History of the European Union 1946- Winston Churchill gives speech at the University of Zürich, calling for a "United States of Europe" 1949- Formation of the Council of Europe 1950- Robert Schuman presented his proposal for the creation of an integrated Europe. This proposal, known as the "Schuman Declaration", is considered to be the beginning of the creation of what is now the European Union. 1951- Treaty of Paris forms the European Coal and Steel Community. Six founding countries: Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, West Germany, France, Italy 1954- French National Assembly refuses to ratify the European Defense Community treaty 1957- Treaty of Rome establishes the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) 1960- Britain and other OEEC members who didn't belong to the EEC formed an alternative association, the European Free Trade Association 1963- Charles DeGaulle vetoes Britain’s membership in the EEC. DeGaulle vetoes another attempt at membership in 1967. 1966- Luxembourg compromise 1967- EEC, ECSC and Euratom merge into the European Community 1972- Ireland, Denmark and Norway hold referenda on whether to join

4. History (continued) 1973- Britain successfully joins the EU. 1979- First direct elections for the European Parliament 1981- Greece joins the EU 1985- Greenland leaves the union after home rule and a referendum 1985- Schengen treaty: open borders within EU without passports 1986- Portugal and Spain join the EU 1986- Single European Act signed in Luxembourg 1992- Maastricht Treaty 1993- Criteria were drawn and established at the European Council in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Copenhagen Criteria) 1997- Treaty of Amsterdam 1995- Austria, Sweden and Finland (with Åland) are admitted 2001- Treaty of Nice 2003- Treaty of Accession signed in Athens 2007- Bulgaria and Romania join the EU 2007—Treaty of Lisbon 2008—Treaty of Lisbon rejected by Ireland

5. Constitution Treaty of Paris – 1951 Treaties of Rome – 1957 Single European Act – 1986 Maastricht Treaty – 1992 Amsterdam Treaty – 1997 Nice Treaty – 2001 Constitution - 2004

6. The Treaty of Paris (1951) created the European Steel and Coal Community (ESCC). • The Treaties of Rome (1957) established the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC) • The Single European Act (1986) introduced measures aimed at achieving an internal market and greater political cooperation. • The Maastricht Treaty (1992) established EU citizenship and the European Monetary Union (EMU). • The Amsterdam Treaty (1997) introduced measures to reinforce political union and prepare for enlargement towards the East. • The Nice Treaty (2001) defined the institutional changes necessary for enlargement. • And finally, the Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe seeks to simplify and synthesize previous treaties within a single, clear, foundational document for the European Union.

7. Treaty of Paris • The Treaty of the European Steel and Coal Community, the first and founding instrument of the European Union and the EU Constitution, defines the main European institutions, albeit in a initial form. It was signed on 18 April 1951 and came into force on 25 July 1952.

8. Treaties of Rome • Following the success of the ESCC (and the failure of the European Defence Community), these two communities initiated the organization of the economic and atomic energy areas. The Treaty of the European Economic Community (EEC) and Treaty of the European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC) were both signed on 25 March 1957 and came into force on 1 January 1958.

9. Schengen Agreement, 1985

10. The Single European Act • Apart from minor modifications, this Treaty was the first profound and wide-ranging constitutional reform of the EU since the 1950s. The SEA introduced measures aimed at achieving an internal market (for instance, harmonization) plus institutional changes related to these (such as a generalization of qualified majority voting and a cooperation procedure involving the European Parliament). It also provided legal form for European Political Cooperation (EPC). The SEA was signed in February 1986 and came into force on 1 July 1987.

11. Maastricht Treaty • The Treaty on European Union initiated the road to political and economic and monetary union. It was drafted at a historic juncture in which the reunification of Germany and the fall of the Soviet block made necessary a re-thinking of the European project. Among several significant innovations, such as EU citizenship and the EMU, the Treaty of Maastricht created the so-called three pillar structure. It was signed on 7 February 1992 and came into force on 1 November 1993.

12. Amsterdam Treaty • Enlargement towards the East plus several pending issues on the EU agenda prompted the negotiation of the Treaty of Amsterdam just four years after the conclusion of the Treaty of Maastricht. Negotiations, however, took place in a much less optimistic climate. The Treaty of Amsterdam opened the way towards reinforced or closer cooperation but it failed to resolve institutional issues created by the forthcoming enlargement. It was signed on 2 October 1997 and came into force on 1 May 1999.

13. Nice Treaty • The Nice Treaty dealt mainly with the institutional adaptations required for the expansion of the Union to 25 Member States. These issues remained unresolved with the Treaty of Amsterdam and they provided the background for the one of the most difficult negotiations in the history of the Union. The Treaty was signed on 26 February 2001 and came into force on 2 February 2003.

14. Constitution • Towards the end of the 20th century, it became clear for a large number of European leaders that the EU required a re-foundation and renovation. From an initial agenda that included the distribution of competencies, simplification and the incorporation of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, the Convention on the Future of Europe produced a fully-fledged proposal for a Constitution or Constitutional Treaty for Europe. Italian and Irish Presidencies had led the negotiation and final approval of this document. On 29 October 2004, the Heads of State or Government of the 25 Member States and the 3 candidate countries signed the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe which will then need to be ratified by all 25 member states of the enlarged Union.

15. Rejected? • The constitutional treaty opened a period of ratification to be finished by October 2006. To date, 18 member states have already ratified the Treaty, either by parliamentary procedures or by referendum, 2 countries have expressed their rejection and the remaining member states either have their process on hold or they still have not decide the ratification procedure. (Bulgaria and Romania which entered the EU in January 2007 already ratified the constitution before accession.) After the rejection of the text by French and Dutch citizens, member states agreed on convoking a Reflection Period.

16. European Court of Justice • located in Luxembourg • consists of 15 judges-one from each state and the president of the Court • appointed for 6 years • Single European Act established a junior Court of First Instance in 1989 • ensure that EU law is properly applied and to resolve disputes between governments, EU institutions, and citizens over that law • works by unanimity unlike the U.S. Supreme Court • all member states are obliged to accept its rulings and powers which are stated in the Treaties of Paris and Rome • decisions are not subject to appeal • increasingly large caseload

17. Types of Proceedings for the Court of Justice -actions for failure to fulfill obligations under the treaties (Commission vs. member state) -actions by one member state against another -actions on grounds of failure to act (against Council or Commission) -references from national courts for preliminary rulings to clarify the meaning and scope of Community law -claims for damages against the Community Judiciary Court of Justice Full court of 15 judges 2 chambers with 5 judges 4 chambers with 3 judges Court of First Instance Staff cases Actions in the field of competition law Actions under antidumping law Actions under the ECSC Treaty

18. Political Culture A political culture can be defined as "The orientation of the citizens of a nation toward politics, and their perceptions of political legitimacy and the traditions of political practice.” Parochial - Where citizens are only remotely aware of the presence of central government, and live their lives near enough regardless of the decisions taken by the state. Subject - Where citizens are aware of central government, and are heavily subjected it's decisions with little scope for dissent. Participant - Citizens are able to influence the government in various ways and they are affected by it. These three 'pure' types of political culture can combine to create the 'civic culture', which mixes the best elements of each.

19. European Integration ACP Countries- 78 African, Caribbean, and Pacific region countries CFSP- Common Foreign and Security Policy; a pillar of the EU Coreper- permanent representatives of the states Council of Europe- founded in 1949, in Strasbourg EC- European Community, incorporates EEC, ECSC, and Euratom ECB- European Central bank ECJ- European Court of Justice ECOSOC- European and Social Committee composed of employers, and employees ECSC- European Coal and Steel Community EEA- European Economic Area EEC- European Economic Community EFTA- European Free Trade Association EMU- Economic and Monetary Union EP- European Parliament Euratom- area of nuclear energy Euro- currency Eurocorps- France and Germany joint military European Research and Coordinating Agency- greater corporation in research European Social Fund- help train unemployed people Europol- police authority Maastricht- treaty on the EU Nice- prepare for the majority voting PHARE- European assistance SEA- Single European Act WEU- Western European Union

20. Statistics *Institution sites: Brussels, Luxembourg, Strasbourg *Monetary Authority: European Central Bank *27 Member States *Currency: Euro *23 official Languages *Area: 4,324,782 km² (7th) *Population:497,198,740 (3rd) *114 people/square km *Gdp: $14.712 trillion  (1st)

21. Statistics Cont. *Life Expectancy: 78 years total population 75.8 for males 81.9 for females *Sex Ratio: .96 males/ female *Major Imports: oil, electrical machinery, office machines *Major Exports: road vehicles, electrical machinery, industrial machinery

22. 1923 • The Austrian Count Coudenhove Kalergi founded the Movement Pan-Europe  • 1926 • First Paneuropean Congress, held in Vienna. • 1929 • Aristide Briand, French prime minister, called for a federation of European nations in a celebrated speech in the presence of League of Nations Assembly.   • 1946 • Winston Churchill calls for a United States of Europe • The European Federalists Union is established in Paris. • 1948 • OEEC was established to administer and organize the dellivery of the Plan Marshal's massive economic aid.   • The International Co-ordination of Movements for the Unification of Europe Committee, chaired by Winston Churchill, meets in the Hague.  • 1949 • Foundation of  the NATO. History

23. 1950 • Schuman Declaration • Robert Schuman, the French Foreign Minister, proposes that France and Germany and any other European country wishing to join them pool their Coal and Steel resources    • 1951 • A meeting to consider the creation of a European Community of Defence is held in Paris. Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg and Germany attend the meeting alongside six observer countries - the United States, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. • The Treaty of Paris, establishing the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), is signed.   • 1952 • The Six (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands) sign in Paris the European Defence Community (EDC) Treaty • The ECSC Treaty enters into force. Jean Monnet is appointed President of the High Authority. • 1955 • The Council of Europe adopts as it emblem the blue flag with 12 golden stars on it.

24. 1957 • The treaties establishing the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) are signed by Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands in Rome - from then on referred to as the Treaty of Rome. • 1958 • A conference held in Stresa (Italy) lays down the basis of a common agricultural policy (CAP). • The European Court of Justice is set up in Luxembourg. • 1959 • Austria, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, decide to establish a European Free Trade Association (EFTA). • 1960 • The Organisation for European Economic Cooperation (OEEC) becomes the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). • 1963 • French President General Charles de Gaulle doubts the political will of the United Kingdom to join the community - giving rise to his famous "non" to British membership of the EEC. • 1966 • Luxembourg Compromise. France, after operating an "empty chair" policy for seven months, resumes its place in the Council in return for retention of the unanimity vote when major interests are at stake.

25. 1966 • Luxembourg Compromise. France, after operating an "empty chair" policy for seven months, resumes its place in the Council in return for retention of the unanimity vote when major interests are at stake. • 1967 • The United Kingdom re-applies to join the Community, followed by Ireland, and Denmark. General de Gaulle is still reluctant to accept British accession. • 1972 • Denmark, Ireland, and the United Kingdom sign the treaties of accession to the European Communities. • A referendum is held in Norway on the country joining the European Communities. The majority is unfavourable to accession. • 1975 • At a meeting of the European Council in Rome, ministers decide to establish a European Parliament elected by universal suffrage. • 1979 • Spanish accession negotiations formally open in Brussels. • The European Monetary System enters into force. • The first elections to the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage are held.

26. 1981 • Greece joins the European Communities. • 1984 • The draft Treaty on the establishment of the European Union (Spinelli draft) is passed by the European Parliament by a large majority. • 1985 • The new Commission takes office with Jacques Delors, a Frenchman, as its President. • The Schengen Agreement on the elimination of border controls is signed by Belgium, Germany, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands in Schengen (Luxembourg). • 1986 • The Single European Act, modifying the Treaty of Rome and extending majority voting, is signed. • Spain and Portugal join the European Communities. • 1988 • Margaret Thatcher gave a eurosceptic speech at the College of Europe in Bruges (Belgium). • 1989 • The fall of the Berlin Wall

27. 1991 • The collapse of communism peaked in 1991 with the Soviet Union break-up.  • The disintegration of Yugoslavia brought the war again to our continent. • A European Council Summit is held in Maastricht. It reaches an agreement on the draft treaty on the European monetary union.  • 1992 • The Treaty on the European Union is signed in Maastricht by the Foreign and Finance Ministers of the Member States. • 1994 • The Norwegian referendum rejects accession to the European Union. • 1995 • Austria, Finland and Sweden become members of the European Union. • 1997 • The Treaty of Amsterdam was  signed by the Foreign Ministers of the fifteen member countries of the European Union. • The European Council meets in Amsterdam and reaches a consensus on a draft treaty for a new phase of economic and monetary union and adopts a resolution on growth and employment.

28. 1999 • The single currency, the euro, was launched on 1 January. Eleven member states adopted the new currency but three countries - Denmark, Sweden, and the UK - decided to defer a decision. The new currency has not been a resounding success - in its first year its value fell by about 30% in relation to other leading currencies. • The Cologne European Council adopts the first European Union common strategy, which concerns Russia, and declarations on Kosovo and on the strengthening of European common foreign and security policy, and designates Mr Javier Solana Madariaga High Representative for the CFSP and Secretary-General of the Council. • After a scathing report suggesting corruption and mismanagement in the European Commission, all 20 commissioners and the president, Jacques Santer, were forced to step down • 2000 • The opening session of the Ministerial Intergovernemental Conferences for accession negotiations of Malta, Romania, Slovakia, Latvia, Lithuania and Bulgaria, is held in Brussels. • 2001 • Following the December 2000 European Council meeting held in Nice, France, a new Treaty amending the Treaty on European Union and the Treaties establishing the European Communities, is signed (Treaty of Nice).

29. Single European Act 1986 • signed in Luxembourg and The Hague • came into force on 1 July 1987 • first modification of the fundational treaties of the European Communities • ratified the European Council • included diverse initiatives to promote integration in the spheres of social rights (health and the workers' security), research and technology, and  environment.

30. European Coal and Steel Community • The European Union grew out of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), which was founded in 1951 • The ECSC was established by the Treaty of Paris • Members of the ECSC included Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, West Germany, France, and Italy. • Pooled the steel and coal resources of the member states. • On May 9, 1950 Schuman proposed a plan for an organized union of Europe. Proposal was called the “Schuman Declaration” It started the process of the formation of a unified Europe. • May 9th is now celebrated as Europe Day

31. ECSC Cont.. • Jean Monnet was the first president of the ECSC • Monnet focused on dismantling the steel cartels and gaining international credibility • In 1952 the six member nations agreed on the European Defense Community, but the French President delays and ultimately rejects the proposal. • The Treaty of Rome was signed in 1957 setting up the European Economic Community. It aimed to create a common market and free movement of labor and capital. • The first year success of the EEC causes the creation of the European Court of Justice in 1958 • In 1960, a competing Union of Europe was created, the European Free Trade Association. Its members were Austria, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK

32. EEC and Formation of the EU • In 1961, Britain Denmark and Ireland apply to join the EEC • In 1963, French President Charles de Gaulle vetoes British membershipdue to Britain’s close ties with the United States • In 1967, Treaty creating a single Council and a Commission for the three communities comes into effect • In 1968, the European Customs union was completed • Britain, Ireland, and Denmark receive acceptance into the European Community in 1973 • In 1979, the European Monetary System introduced Ecu and a common exchange rate throughout Europe. This would eventually lead to the implementation of the Euro. • In 1981, Greece becomes the EC’s 10th member.

33. Among other internal issues are fiscal and democratic accountability Revision of the Stability and Growth Pact rules, and the future budget of the Common Agricultural Policy. Last December the Intergovernmental Conference determined how it would allocate the budget of the EU for the next seven years. EU members agreed to fix the common budget to 1.045% of the European GDP. UK Prime Minister Tony Blair agreed to review the British rebate, negotiated by Margaret Thatcher in 1984, despite a promise to the contrary made to the UK Parliament. French President Jacques Chirac declared that this increase in budget will permit Europe to "finance common policies" such as the Common Agricultural Policy or the Research and Technological Development Policy.

34. Member Countries *Austria (EUR) *Belgium (EUR) *Bulgaria *Cyprus *Czech Republic *Denmark *Estonia *Finland (EUR) *France (EUR) *Germany (EUR) *Greece (EUR) *Hungary *Ireland (EUR) *Italy (EUR) *Latvia *Lithuania *Luxembourg (EUR) *Malta *Netherlands (EUR) *Poland *Portugal (EUR) *Slovakia *Slovenia * Romania *Sweden *Spain (EUR) *United Kingdom

35. Under Consideration • Croatia • Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia • Turkey

36. * All of the original languages of the individual countries remain the official languages; there are 23. Cultural Facts * The EU leaves education as a responsibility of individual states. However, he EU funds educational, vocational and citizenship-building program which encourage EU citizens to take advantage of opportunities which the EU offers its citizens to live, study and work in other countries. *The European Union member-states co-operate militarily in various ways. Many member states are also members of NATO, and there is a defense organization called the Western European Union. However, the memberships of the EU, WEU and the NATO European countries are not the same. Indeed, some EU member states are constitutionally committed to remain neutral on defense issues. Since the EU is such a large and diverse confederation of countries they will many different cultures and ideals.

37. Maastricht Treaty Signed on Feb. 7 1992 Entered into “force” on Nov. 1 1993 under the Delors Commission Treaty lead to the creation of the Euro and introduced the three-pillars structure Three pillars are: Pillar 1: European Community Pillar 2: Common Foreign and Sec Policy Pillar 3: Police and Judicial Cooperation

38. Pillar 1 • Community pillar concerns are: economic, social, and environmental policies • Examples: • Customs Union and Single Market • Common Agriculture • Common Fisheries Policy • EU competition law • EU Citizenship

39. Pillar 1 • Education and Culture • Trans-European Network • Consumer protection • Health Care • Research • Environmental law • Social policy • Immigration

40. Pillar 2 • Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) pillar concerns foreign policy and military matters • Examples/Foreign Policy: • Human Rights • Democracy • Foreign aid

41. Pillar 2 • Security policy: • European Security and Defense Policy • EU battle groups • European Rapid Reaction Force • Peacekeeping

42. Pillar 3 • Police and Judicial Co-operation in Criminal Matters (PJCC) pillar concerns co-operation in the fight against crime. • This pillar was originally named Justice and Home Affairs • Examples: • Drug trafficking and weapons smuggling • Terrorism • Organized crime

43. Ratification of Treaty • Difficulties in various states • A referendum in France only narrowly supported it, with 51.05% in favor, and Denmark rejected the original treaty

44. Formation of the European Union Cont... • In 1985, Jacques Delors becomes president of the European Commission • In 1986, Portugal and Spain join the EC and the European flag is unveiled • In 1987, The Single European Act enters into force. • In 1990, Britain enters the ERM • In 1991, Maastricht turns the Community into a Union • In 1992, The UK is forced out of the ERM • In 1993, The Treaty on European Union comes into effect • In 1995, Borders come down as a result of the Schengen pact • In 1997, The Amsterdam Treaty is signed • In 1998, negotiations with Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovenia for their membership in the EU • In 1999, all 20 commisioners of the EU resign after accusations of fraud and mismanagement surface • In 2002, the Euro becomes the official currency of Europe

45. European Constitution • Plans for a European constitution suffer a setbackafter the heads of government cannot agree on the text of the constitution in 2003. • In 2004, The EU enlarges and a new constitution is signed. • Constitution faces another setback after France and The Netherlands vote no.( though referendums )

46. Since the EU is such a large and diverse confederation of countries they will have to deal with membership, structure, procedures and policies. Problems concerning these matters arise from national ambitions, such as France wanting to play a leadership role in the EU and competing with Great Britain; but that is an older struggle. The more current issues are civil issues much like what the U.S. is facing now. Some of the current civil issues involve abortion, abandonment. Which would be highly controversial since Europe is more liberal than the U.S., but the Vatican is located in Europe.

47. Among other internal issues are fiscal and democratic accountability Revision of the Stability and Growth Pact rules, and the future budget of the Common Agricultural Policy. EU members agreed to fix the common budget to 1.045% of the European GDP. UK Prime Minister Tony Blair agreed to review the British rebate, negotiated by Margaret Thatcher in 1984, despite a promise to the contrary made to the UK Parliament. French President Jacques Chirac declared that this increase in budget will permit Europe to "finance common policies" such as the Common Agricultural Policy or the Research and Technological Development Policy.

48. Had it been ratified, the treaty would have entered into force on November 1, 2006. However, as of May 2006, Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain had ratified the constitutional treaty. The two countries due to join the European Union in 2007, Bulgaria and Romania, have already accepted the constitutional treaty too, ratifying their accession treaty.

49. Judicial Branch • Top is The Court of Justice • one judge per member state • Jobs: • The preliminary ruling procedure • Proceedings for failure to fulfil an obligation • Actions for annulment • Actions for failure to act

50. Executive Branch • Headed by European Commission • Jobs: • Proposing new legislation • Implementing EU policies and the budget • Enforcing European law • Representing the EU on the international stage