The European Union THE EUROPEAN UNION Peace Prosperity

The European Union THE EUROPEAN UNION Peace, Prosperity and Partnership

The European Union Celebrating the European Union: Change and Progress • Since the creation of the EU half a century ago, Europe has enjoyed the longest period of peace in its history. • European political integration is unprecedented in history. European Union United in diversity • 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 Europe’s diversity.

The European Union What is the European Union? 27 Member States Combined population of EU Member States 7 490 million 55 • Largest economic body in the world. • World’s most successful model for advancing peace and democracy. • A unique institution – Member States voluntarily cede national sovereignty in many areas to carry out common policies and governance. Percent of world’s population Percent of global GDP • Shared values: liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law. 30 Percent of combined worldwide Official Development Assistance • Not a super-state to replace existing states, nor just an organization for international cooperation. • World’s most open market for goods and commodities from developing countries.

The European Union EU Institutions European Commission • 27 Commissioners, representing the European perspective, each responsible for a specific policy area. • EU’s executive branch proposes legislation, manages Union’s day-to-day business and budget, and enforces rules. • Negotiates trade agreements and manages Europe’s multilateral development cooperation. Council of the European Union European Commission President José Manuel Barroso • EU’s main decision-making body, comprised of ministers of 27 Member States, representing Member State’s point of view. • Decides on foreign policy issues. • Council presidency rotates among Member States every six months.

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 unlike the U. S. Supreme Court, 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 ECB’s main task is to maintain the euro's purchasing power and thus price stability in the euro area. The euro was introduced in 1999 • The euro area comprises the 15 European Union countries that have introduced the euro since 1999. • The ECB operates independently from Member State governments.

The European Union United in Diversity - The €uro

The European Union The €uro € In 1999, the euro area was established as a currency in eleven of then fifteen EU Member States. € Of the 27 EU Member States today, fifteen 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 Europe’s victorious and vanquished nations and bring them together as equals, cooperating within shared institutions. Jean Monnet and other leaders with the first “European” ingot of steel • 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.

The European Union 1957: Treaty of Rome Signing of the 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.

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 November 1989 Fall of the Berlin Wall sets the stage for unifying Europe and EU enlargement

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 EU Integration 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. ” • Inspired reforms and consolidated common principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms, the rule of law, and market economy. • Enhanced the EU’s weight in the world and made it a stronger and more attractive international partner. European Council Declaration Dec. 15, 2006 1957 2007 6 27 Population 174 million 493 million Languages 4 23 Member States

The European Union The EU in the World The EU is a global player. Its soft power promotes stability, prosperity, democracy and human rights, delivers concrete results in the fight to eradicate poverty, and in achieving sustainable UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana, and EU Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner development.

The European Union Addressing Global Challenges • Peace & Security – Works for global peace and security alongside the United States and multilateral organizations – including NATO and the United Nations. – Undertakes humanitarian and peacekeeping missions and has provided military forces for crisis management around the globe. • Counterterrorism & Homeland Security – Taken steps to improve intelligence sharing, enhance law enforcement and judicial cooperation, curtail terrorist financing. – Boosts trade and transport security to support the struggle against terrorism.

The European Union Addressing Global Challenges • Democracy & Human Rights – Works globally for free elections and open democratic processes. – Fights racism and intolerance at home and abroad. – Campaigns globally against capital punishment. • Development Assistance & Humanitarian Relief – The EU and its Member States are the world’s largest aid donor, providing 55% of total official development assistance. – Provides billions of dollars in humanitarian aid to more than 100 countries in response to crises and natural disasters.

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 Addressing Global Challenges • Environmental Protection – A leader in global efforts to protect the environment, maintaining rigorous and comprehensive systems at home. – Plays a key role in developing and implementing international agreements, such as the Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change. – Executing a “cap and trade” system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions – Takes the lead in the fight against global warming with the adoption of binding energy targets (cutting 20% of the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2020). Source: German Information Center USA

The European Union Shared Values and Responsibilities • Freedom & Democracy Support free elections, good governance, human rights, and the rule of law around the world. • Security Cooperate to fight terrorism, limit the spread of nuclear weapons, and work for global peace. • Development Together, EU and U. S. provide 80% of global development assistance and an even larger share of global humanitarian aid in times of disaster and conflict.

The European Union “Since no single nation can efficiently and effectively deal with global challenges such as climate change, counterterrorism, non-proliferation, pandemics and natural disasters on its own, we commit ourselves to strengthening our cooperation to address these challenges. ” EU-U. S. Summit Declaration Vienna, July 2006

The European Union Education & Research • EU and U. S. cooperate on science and technology education through: – Exchange programs – More than 700 institutional partnerships – Vocational training EU supports R&D to increase Europe’s growth and global competitiveness. – Scholarship programs – R&D cooperatives • EU and U. S. provide joint or dual higher educational degree programs. • EU funds Centers of Excellence at leading U. S. universities.

The European Union Study Abroad Programs © Getty Images Over 2 million young people have studied or pursued personal development in other European countries with support from EU programs.

The European Union Study Abroad Programs • Comenius: school education • Erasmus Mundus: higher education mobility • Leonardo da Vinci: vocational training • Youth in Action: voluntary work and non-formal education

The European Union