THE BASICS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION KEY WORDS

THE BASICS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

KEY WORDS • Supranational • Sovereign • Intergovernmental • Eurozone • Schengen • Candidate countries • Member states • Single market

WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? • Supranational organization sovereign nations come together to form a larger group • Nations give up some power and freedom to a higher authority (EU) • • Intergovernmental organization • Member states cooperate with eachother to create rules and laws based on common interests • Examples of common interest: trade regulation, health standards, safe border checks “The European Union is the world’s most successful invention for advancing peace. ” - John Bruton, Irish politician

THE BASICS Europe Day: May 9 The European Flag The European Anthem The Motto: United in Diversity

FOUNDERS OF THE EU

WHY WAS THE EU CREATED? • Peace • • Cooperation • • After WWII, many European nations wanted to ensure they would not enter a third war with eachother By working together to create policies, the nations would be forced to compromise and listen to eachother, thus promoting peace and decreasing animosity towards eachotehr Economics • Pooling together resources and eliminating barriers to trade created the world’s largest single market • Single market- allows free movement of goods, capital, services, and people

VIDEO: EU EXPLAINED IN 1 MINUTE

WHO IS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION?

MEMBER OR CANDIDATE? Member states- full members of the European Union, approved by other members of the EU and have the same rights ex. Germany, United Kingdom, Italy Candidate countries- countries who have applied to the EU for membership • the countries must make changes and negotiate with the EU before joining ex. Albania, Turkey, Serbia

5(ISH) INSTITUTIONS OF THE EU • European Parliament Approves legislation • Only directly elected body of the EU • • Council of the EU • • European Commission • • Proposes new laws and policies European Council • • Approves legislation Brings the leaders of each country together a few times a year Court of Justice • Ensures laws and policies meet the terms of the treaties

HOW DOES IT GET THINGS DONE?