the european union “united in diversity” (eu motto)

The European UnionThe European Union

““United in Diversity” (EU United in Diversity” (EU motto)motto)

A little history:A little history:

Why was the European Union set up?Why was the European Union set up?

The European Union is set up with the The European Union is set up with the aim of ending the frequent and bloody aim of ending the frequent and bloody wars between neighbors. wars between neighbors.

Who started the European Union?Who started the European Union?

The six founders are Belgium, The six founders are Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. and the Netherlands.

European Day!European Day!

May 9May 9thth is European is European Union Day….Union Day….The ideas behind The ideas behind the European Union the European Union were first put were first put forward on 9 May forward on 9 May 1950 by French 1950 by French Foreign Minister Foreign Minister Robert SchumanRobert Schuman. . So 9 May is So 9 May is celebrated as the celebrated as the EU’s birthday.EU’s birthday.

Robert Schuman

What exactly is the European What exactly is the European Union?Union?

It is a It is a supranationalsupranational and and intergovernmentalintergovernmental unionunion of 27 of 27 democratic member states in democratic member states in Europe.Europe.

SupranationalSupranational: :

IntergovernmentalIntergovernmental: :

UnionUnion::

Those are some big words….Those are some big words….

SupranationalSupranational: power is held by : power is held by independent appointed officials or by independent appointed officials or by representatives elected by the legislatures representatives elected by the legislatures or people of the member states or people of the member states

IntergovernmentalIntergovernmental: power is possessed by : power is possessed by the member states and decisions are the member states and decisions are made by unanimity. made by unanimity.

UnionUnion: a type of state which is composed of : a type of state which is composed of smaller states.smaller states.

In other words the EU is….In other words the EU is….

is a union of twenty-seven is a union of twenty-seven independent states (countries) independent states (countries) founded to enhance:founded to enhance:

political, economic and social co-political, economic and social co-operationoperation

The EU…The EU…

is the largest political and economic is the largest political and economic organization on the European continent organization on the European continent

has currency called the “euro”has currency called the “euro”

abolished passport control, creating a abolished passport control, creating a single area of free movement for EU single area of free movement for EU citizens to live, travel, work and investcitizens to live, travel, work and invest

The ones in yellow are the countries that are apartof the European Union.

Candidate Countries:Candidate Countries:

These are countries that are being These are countries that are being considered by the European Union considered by the European Union councel to be admitted to the Union.councel to be admitted to the Union.

Croatia, Turkey, and Former Yugoslav Croatia, Turkey, and Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.Republic of Macedonia.

FYI: There are 20 European countries FYI: There are 20 European countries that are not apart of the EU.that are not apart of the EU.

Euro vs. American currencyEuro vs. American currency

1 Euro = 1.2973 U.S. dollars1 Euro = 1.2973 U.S. dollars

The EuroThe Euro

is the is the official currencyofficial currency of 13 of 13 European states. European states.

Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain.Portugal, Slovenia and Spain.

The EuroThe Euro

also known as the “also known as the “Eurozone”Eurozone” – the – the zone in Europe where the euro is zone in Europe where the euro is used.used.

The EuroThe Euro

The Euro is not the currency for the The Euro is not the currency for the European union…not all EU countries European union…not all EU countries have adopted this currency and have adopted this currency and there are some countries not apart of there are some countries not apart of the EU that use the Euro.the EU that use the Euro.

Demographics…Demographics…

The European Union is a densely The European Union is a densely populated, culturally diverse union of populated, culturally diverse union of 27 member states. 27 member states.

The total population size of the EU is The total population size of the EU is approximately half a billion approximately half a billion inhabitants as of January 2008.inhabitants as of January 2008.

Who is in charge of the EU?Who is in charge of the EU?

President of the European :President of the European :

Jose Manuel DURAO BARROSOJose Manuel DURAO BARROSO

He is the 12He is the 12thth president of president of the European Union.the European Union.

Before becoming the president Before becoming the president he was prime minister of he was prime minister of Portugal.Portugal.

What has the European Union What has the European Union done to help?done to help?

It has brought political stability and It has brought political stability and economic prosperity to its citizens.economic prosperity to its citizens.

It has created a frontier-free market It has created a frontier-free market and a single currency, the euro.and a single currency, the euro.

It as reunited a fractured continent.It as reunited a fractured continent. It is the world’s biggest donor of It is the world’s biggest donor of

development aid to poorer countries.development aid to poorer countries.

How is the European Union How is the European Union similar to the United States of similar to the United States of

America?America?