everything you need to know about the european union
TRANSCRIPT
1. History of the EU
2. European Enlargement
3. How the EU Works
4. The EU on the World Stage
5. The EU-US Relationship
Overview
The Original Purpose of the EU
To secure a lasting peace in Europe……By controlling the production of coal and steel
How?
Key Milestones1952: ECSC
Production of coal and steel placed under control of a High Authority
1958: Treaty of RomeCreated the EEC and established the common market
Key Milestones1987Single European ActFirst major revision of the Rome Treaty: Single Market and European Political Cooperation
1989Fall of the Berlin WallReunification of Germany and democratization of Eastern Europe
1993Maastricht TreatyCreation of the European Union, preparation for EMU, introduction of parts of political union
The Treaty of Lisbon
Entered into force December 1, 2009. Amends current treaties without replacing them.
Key improvements:• Democracy and Transparency
• Visibility on the Global Stage
• Rights and Values
• Efficiency
EU by the numbers
28
Over
508millioncombined population
1.6million
Member States
Official languages
24
of global GDP
24%
of GLOBAL EXPORTS
& IMPORTS
15% Square miles total surface area
<1/2 of U.S. surface area
.
Conditions of Membership
Political• Democratic process &
Stability of Institutions
• Human Rights
• Rule of Law
• Respect for and Protection of Minorities
The Enlargement
Process
Acceptance of application
Accession Negotiations
Accession Treaty and Ratification
• European Council
• European Commission
• European Parliament
• Council of the European Union
Major EU Institutions
Composition
Heads of state or government from Member States
Functions
Sets the general guidelines for EU policy
European CouncilEU's highest political authority
European CouncilPresident Donald Tusk
European CommissionExecutive branch of the EU
Composition:28 independent commissioners, one from each EU country
FunctionsProposes new legislation
Manages and implements EU’s policies and the budget
Enforces European law
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker
European ParliamentVoice of the people
Composition751 MEPs from all Member States
FunctionsDecides on EU legislation together with Council of the EU
Democratic supervision of all the EU’s work
European Parliament PresidentMartin Schulz
Council of the European UnionVoice of the Member States
Composition:One Minister from each Member State, representing the issue at hand (e.g., agriculture for farm issues)
Functions:Adopts EU laws and approves budget together with Parliament
Manages Common Foreign & Security Policy; coordinates economic policies of Member States
European Court of JusticeThe EU's Judicial Authority
Composition:28 independent judges, one from each state
Functions:Rules on how to interpret EU law
Ensures EU countries apply laws uniformly
History of the EMU• The Euro is the EU's single
currency, introduced in 1999 as a virtual currency.
• In 2002, 12 of the 15 members at the time adopted it. Today, 19 of the 28 countries use it.
• The euro is the world's second most important international currency after the US dollar, and has become a global reserve currency.
- Coordination of economic policies - Financial and budgetary discipline
Economic, Monetary & Fiscal Policy in the EMU
- Set by the ECB for the euro area
- Set by Member State governmentsFiscal Policy
Monetary Policy
Economic Policy
The European Central Bank
• Ensures price stability
• Controls money supply and decides interest rates
• Works independently from governments
Joining the Euro: Maastricht Criteria• Price stability: low inflation rate
• Budget deficit: below 3 % GDP
• Debt: within 60% GDP
• Interest rates: low long-term rates
• Exchange rate stability: steady rate
within authorized fluctuation margins
Common Foreign and Security Policy
Common Security and
Defense Policy
Peacekeeping and Crisis
Management
EU and NATO
European Security Strategy
CFSP
European External Action Service
• EU’s foreign ministry and official diplomatic service, formally launched January 1, 2011
• EEAS works in concert with Member State diplomatic services
• EEAS improves EU's coherence and efficiency on international scene
• EUHR Federica Mogherini leads EEAS
Democracy and Human Rights
…and fighting:• The Death Penalty• Torture• Human Trafficking
Promoting:
• Election Monitoring
Shared Values• Promoting peace, human
rights and democracy worldwide
• Confronting global challenges, including security and non-proliferation
• Fostering prosperity and opportunity
• Advancing strategic cooperation on energy security, climate change and sustainable development
• Trade & Investment• Foreign Affairs• Security & Defense• Energy & Environment• Growth & Jobs
Key Areas of Cooperation
Thank you!
Delegation of the European UnionWashington, DC
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