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Key Aspects and Historical Journey of the European Union

The European Union (EU) was founded with key objectives including the establishment of European citizenship, the promotion of freedom, security, and justice, and advancing economic and social progress. Its historic evolution began with early attempts at unity and progressed through significant treaties and expansions, notably the Maastricht Treaty and the inclusion of Central and Eastern European nations. With its institutions including the European Commission, Parliament, and Court of Justice, the EU strives for political stability, economic integration, and the upholding of democratic values, solidifying Europe's role in the global arena.

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Key Aspects and Historical Journey of the European Union

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Presentation Transcript

  1. European Union

  2. Principal Objectives • Establish European citizenship • Ensure freedom, security & justice • Promote economic and social progress • Assert Europe’s role in the world

  3. History of Unification

  4. Early Attempts at Unity • Rome • Charlemagne • Holy Roman Empire • Bourbons • Habsburgs • Napoleon • Congress of Vienna/ Concert of Europe • Hitler

  5. Post WWII - Developments • European Coal and Steel Community – Treaty of Paris 1951 (W. Germany, France, Italy, Benelux) • European Economic Community – Common Market (later EC) – Treaty of Rome 1957 • UK, Denmark & Ireland join 1973 • Fall of Berlin Wall - 11/9/89 – Former East Germany integrated into EC Fall of Berlin Wall, November 9, 1989

  6. Maastricht Treaty 1992 – European Union

  7. Nations Added 1995 • Sweden • Finland • Austria

  8. Convergence

  9. Accession Criteria • Political • Stable transparent institution • Democracy, human rights, rule of law, respect minority rights • Support 3 pillars • Economic • Functioning market economy/withstand market forces • Low inflation • Stable currency and part of European monetary system • Debt less than 60% of GDP • Deficit less than 3% of GDP (Greece??)

  10. 2004 Enlargement • 13 states applied – 10 accepted • Central and eastern European nations • Czech Republic • Estonia • Hungary • Latvia • Lithuania • Poland • Slovakia • Slovenia • Malta • Cyprus

  11. 2007 Additions • Bulgaria • Romania • Up to 27 members

  12. EU Expansion 2013 Croatia joins EU as its 28th member in June 2013

  13. Institutions

  14. Executive – European Commission • President • Directs European focus • 5-year terms • Member states choose • Commissioners • Engine of integration • Propose legislation • EC Located in Brussels Belgium

  15. Legislative – Council of the European Union – Upper House • President • Rotates among countries every 6 months • Sets agenda • Should be even-handed • Antonis Samaras, Greece • Council of Ministers • Ministers from member states • Gets opinion from EP before decisions • Votes are weighted by population Located in Brussels, Belgium

  16. Legislative – European Parliament – Lower House • Members of European Parliament (MEP’s) • Directly elected reps (5 years) • Supervises the Commission • Seem to reflect national interests • President • Chairs EP • Represents EP - Located in Strasbourg, France

  17. Judicial – European Court of Justice • Ensures law observed in interpretation an application of treaties • Judicial review • Located in Luxembourg

  18. Currency

  19. Single Currency • Began as European Monetary Unit (EMU) as part of Maastricht Treaty • Euro - € - exchange rate set 1/1/99 • Euro adopted 1/1/2002 • Britain – not so much • Eurozone – 18 member states that have adopted the euro

  20. I knew you would ask

  21. You say you want a constitution? • Originally treaties formed EU constitution • Constitutional treaty proposed 2004 – rejected by Denmark and France in 2005 • Treaty of Lisbon: constitution-lite 2009 • Constitutional treaty adoption – UK referendum 2017?? – fears of federalism (United States of Europe?)

  22. Quick Review • Name two predecessor organizations of the EU. • What are the “3 pillars” of the EU? • What is the Eurozone? • What is the difference between the European Commission and the European Council? • What year did the Berlin Wall fall? • What is the Maastricht Treaty? • How many member states does the EU have now?

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