The European Union
THE EUROPEAN UNION
50 Years of Peace, Prosperity and Partnership
The European Union
The European Union:
Since the creation of the EU half a century ago, Europe has enjoyed the longest period of peace in its 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 conditions for companies and consumers. EU has united the citizens of Europe while preserving Europes diversity.
European Union
The European Union
What is the European Union?
27
Member States
Combined population of EU Member States
490
million
Shared values: liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law.
Largest economic body in the world. Worlds most successful model for advancing peace and democracy.
Percent of worlds population Percent of global GDP
30
Worlds most open market for goods and commodities from developing countries.
55
Percent of combined worldwide Official Development Assistance
The European Union EU Institutions
European Commission
27 Commissioners, representing the European perspective, each responsible for a specific policy area.
EUs executive branch proposes legislation, manages Unions day-to-day business and budget, and enforces rules.
Negotiates trade agreements and manages Europes multilateral development cooperation.
Council of the European Union EUs main decision-making body, comprised of ministers of 27 Member States, representing Member States point of view. Decides on foreign policy issues.
European Commission President Jos Manuel Barroso (Portugal)
The European Union EU Institutions
European Parliament Voice of European citizens members elected for five-year terms. With the Council, passes EU laws and adopts EU budgets.
European Parliament in session
Approves EU Commissioners. 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 the ECJ can only deal with matters covered by the Treaties.
The European Union European Central Bank
The European Central Bank (ECB) is the central bank for Europe's single currency, the euro. The ECBs main task is to maintain the euro's purchasing power and thus price stability in the euro area. The euro area comprises the 16 European Union countries that have introduced the euro since 1999. The ECB operates independently from Member State governments.
The euro was introduced in 1999
The European Union
The uro
The European Union
The uro
In 1999, the euro area was established as a currency in eleven of the then fifteen EU Member States. Of the 27 EU Member States today, sixteen have adopted the euro. One of the striking benefits of a single European currency are low interest rates due to a high degree of price stability. The euro is as stable and credible as the bestperforming currencies previously used in the euro area countries.
The European Union
1951:
European Coal and Steel Community
In the aftermath of World War II, the aim was to secure peace among Europes 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
The European Union
1957:
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
The European Union
1951 Founding Members Belgium France Germany Italy Luxembourg Netherlands
The European Union
1973
Denmark Ireland United Kingdom
The European Union
1981
Greece
The European Union
1986
Portugal Spain
The European Union
1995
Austria Finland Sweden
The European Union
2004
Cyprus Czech Republic Estonia Hungary Latvia Lithuania Malta Poland Slovakia Slovenia
The European Union
2007
Bulgaria Romania
The European Union
Candidate Countries Croatia Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Turkey Potential Candidate Countries Albania Bosnia & Herzegovina
Montenegro
Serbia including Kosovo
under UN Security Council Resolution 1244
The European Union
Enlargement has:
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
Inspired reforms and consolidated common principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms, the rule of law, and market economy.
Enhanced the EUs weight in the world and made it a stronger and more attractive international partner.
1957 Member States Population Languages 6 174 million 4 2007 27 493 million 23
The European Union
Addressing Global Challenges
Trade European Commission represents all 27 EU Member States before the World Trade Organization.
Supports free trade and open markets, within the rules-based structure of the WTO, to promote growth and jobs in both industrialized and developing countries.
The world's most open market for products and commodities from developing countries 40% of all EU imports are from developing countries.
The European Union Economy
The economy of the European Union generates a GDP of over 12,279.033 trillion (US$16,228.23 trillion in 2010) according to the IMF, making it the largest economy in the world. The EU economy consists of a single market and the EU is represented as a unified entity in the WTO. The operation of the EU has an agreed budget of 141 billion for the year 2011, and 862 billion for the period 20072013
The European Union Imports & Exports
With just 7% of the worlds population, the EU's trade with the rest of the world accounts for around 20% of global exports and imports. The EU is the worlds biggest exporter and the second-biggest importer.
Around two thirds of EU countries total trade is done with other EU countries.
The United States is the EUs most important trading partner, followed by China. In 2005, the EU accounted for 18.1% of world exports and 18.9% of imports. European Union is the largest trader in agricultural products. Total trade in agricultural products amounted to almost 153 billion in 2007, split between EU imports of 77.4 billion and exports of 75.1 billion
The European Union
