The European Union

EUROPEAN UNION50 Years of Peace,

Prosperity and Partnership

The European Union

What is the EU ?• A “family” of 27 European countries

• Shared values: liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law.

• Largest economic body in the world.

• World’s most successful model for advancing peace and democracy.

The European Union

What is the EU ?

• A unique institution – Member States voluntarily cede national sovereignty in many areas to carry out common policies and governance.

• 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

The Origins

• The old dream of European brotherhood

• From enemies to “Family”

• From war to peace

• Making war unthinkable among Europeans

• Together managing main materials used in war:

coal and steel.

The European Union

Agriculture• CAP – Common Agricultural Policy

– Sustainablility

– Food Quality

– Animal Welfare

– Food Safety

– Control

– Farmers welfare/incomes

– Employment in agriculture

The European Union

Fisheries•CFP – Common Fisheries Policy

– Conservation of fish stocks

– Aid to fishing industry to cope with changing circumstances

– Monitor supply and demand for fish

– Negotiate with non-EU members on fishing issues

The European Union

Economics• Euro – monitor introduction and development

• Tax Harmonisation – reduce differentials in tax regimes throughout the single market to aid competition and transparency

• Single Market – free movement of goods, services, labour and capital between member states

The euro was introduced in 1999

The European Union

Social Cohesion

• Created in 1957, the ESF is the European Union’s main tool for the development of human resources and the improvement of the workings of the labour market.

• It supports measures to prevent and combat unemployment and to develop human resources, and aims to promote a high level of employment, equality between men and women, sustainable development and economic and social cohesion.

The European Union

Social Cohesion

• The ESF, like all Structural Funds, is decentralised in the Member States who are responsible for its implementation and use.

• For the period 2000-2006, out of € 195 billion allocated to the structural funds, 60 billion (31%) were allocated to the ESF.