The European Union: 500 million people – 28 countries

and prosperity…

Founders

motto:
United in diversity

end of Communism
EU economic help begins: Phare programme

Criteria set for a country to join the EU:
• democracy and rule of law
• functioning market economy
• ability to implement EU laws

Formal negotiations on enlargement begin

Copenhagen summit agrees to a big enlargement of 10 new countries

Ten new EU members: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia

1989

1992

1998

2002

2004

2007

Bulgaria and Romania join the EU

2013

Croatia joins on 1 July

Coal and Steel Community

The treaties of Rome:
• The European Economic Community
• The European Atomic Energy Community
(EURATOM)

The European Single Act: the Single Market

Treaty on European Union - Maastricht

Treaty of Amsterdam

1952

1958

1987

1993

1999

2003

Treaty of Nice

2009

Treaty of Lisbon

articles under 6 titles:

Freedoms

Equality

Solidarity

Citizens’ rights

Justice

Dignity

(2015)

(x 1000 km²)

million in total

the United States.
Coordinated response from European leaders:

Commitment to the euro and to financial stability
New crisis management tools and reforms of rules:
European Stability Mechanism: fund to help countries in extraordinary economic difficulties
New laws for stability of banks
Banking Union: EU-wide supervision of banks and a mechanism to close down failing banks
Better economic governance:
European Semester: annual procedure to coordinate public budgets
Euro+ pact, ‘Fiscal compact treaty’: mutual commitments to sound public finances

focuses on:

The investment plan: a new boost for jobs, growth and investment

A reasonable and balanced free trade agreement with the United States

A connected digital single market

A resilient energy union with a forward-looking climate change policy

A deeper and fairer internal market with stronger industries

A deeper and fairer economic and monetary union

A European Union of democratic change

An area of justice and fundamental rights based on mutual trust

A new policy on migration

Europe as a stronger global actor

Europe’s economy begins to recover after the crisis, but the level of investment is still low. Investors have money, but little confidence
New EU fund from mid-2015
The fund starts with € 21 billion from EU sources
Investments are made in viable business projects, for example in digital and energy infrastructure, transport, small businesses, green projects and innovation
Multiplier effect: public money will trigger private investors to follow suit, with up to € 315 billion
Could create 1.3 million new jobs over three years

crisis:

Rulebook:
New laws to ensure that banks have adequate capital and better risk control
Supervision:
The European Central Bank supervises the +/- 130 of the most important banks
National bank supervisors work closely together
Resolution:
A Europe-wide Single Resolution Board can decide to wind down a failing bank
This is backed by a fund that banks themselves pay into, thus ensuring that taxpayers do not have to pick up the bill.

billion = 1.05 % of gross national income

% by 2030, compared to 1990
raise the share of renewable energy to 27 % by 2030 (wind, solar, hydro power, biomass)
increase energy efficiency by 27 % by 2030

To stop global warming, EU leaders decided in 2014 to:

regions: GDP per capita under 75 % of the EU average
Transition regions: GDP per capita between 75 % and 90 % of the EU average
More-developed regions: GDP per capita over 90 % of the EU average

2014-2020: € 352 billion invested in infrastructure, business, environment and training of workers for the benefit of poorer regions and citizens

the euro

EU countries not using the euro

Why the euro?
No fluctuation risk and foreign exchange cost
More choice and stable prices for consumers
Closer economic cooperation between EU countries

Can be used everywhere in the euro area
Coins: one side with national symbols, one side common
Notes: no national side

reductions in the price of many products and services, including airfares and phone calls
more choice for consumers
2.8 million new jobs

Four freedoms of movement:

goods
services
people
capital

EU countries
Controls strengthened at the EU’s external borders
More cooperation between police from different EU countries
Buy and bring back any goods for personal use when you travel between EU countries

study or pursue personal development in other European countries with the support of the EU’s Erasmus+ programme for education, training, youth and sport.

water
much less acid rain
lead-free petrol
easy and safe disposal of old electronic equipment
strict rules on food safety from farm to fork
more organic and quality farming
more effective health warnings on cigarettes
registration and control of all chemicals (REACH)

Pollution knows no borders – joint action needed

fight against terrorism
Cooperation between police and law-enforcers in different EU countries
Coordinated asylum and immigration policies
Civil law cooperation

foreign and security policy
Development assistance and humanitarian aid

prohibited
Passengers’ rights, such as compensation for long delays
Help to resolve problems

As a consumer you are protected by basic laws all over the EU, even when you travel or shop online

of the European Parliament

The European Council and the Council
- voice of the Member States
Donald Tusk, President of the European Council

The European Commission
- promoting the common interest
Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission

of the Regions

Council of Ministers
(The Council)

European Commission

European Investment Bank

European Central Bank

Agencies

European Council (summit)

formal proposal

Parliament and Council of Ministers: decide jointly

National or local authorities: implement

Commission and Court of Justice: monitor implementation

in each country

Decides EU laws and budget together with the Council of Ministers
Democratic supervision of all the EU’s work

Austria - 18
Belgium - 21
Bulgaria - 17
Croatia - 11
Cyprus - 6
Czechia - 21
Denmark - 13
Estonia - 6
Finland - 13
France - 74

Germany - 96
Greece - 21
Hungary - 21
Ireland - 11
Italy - 73
Latvia - 8
Lithuania - 11
Luxembourg - 6
Malta - 6

Total - 751

Netherlands - 26
Poland - 51
Portugal - 21
Romania - 32
Slovakia - 13
Slovenia - 8
Spain - 54
Sweden - 20
United Kingdom - 73

political group (December 2016)

Total: 751

each EU country
Presidency: rotates every six months
Decides EU laws and budget together with Parliament
Manages the common foreign and security policy

are taken by ‘double majority’.
A decision must have the support of at least:
• 55 % of Member States (16 countries)
• Member States that represent 65 % of the EU’s population

the overall guidelines for EU policies
President: Donald Tusk

Summit of heads of state and government of all EU countries

of the Foreign Affairs Council
Vice-President of the European Commission
Manages the common foreign affairs and security policy
Head of the European External Action Service

Federica Mogherini

from each EU country
Proposes new legislation
Executive organ
Guardian of the treaties
Represents the EU on the international stage

from each EU country

Rules on how to interpret EU law
Ensures EU countries apply EU laws in the same way

administration by the EU institutions
For example: unfairness, discrimination, abuse of power, unnecessary delay, failure to reply or incorrect procedures
Anyone in the EU can make a complaint

members
Checks that EU funds are used properly
Can audit any person or organisation dealing with EU funds

are safe
Works independently from governments

The European Central Bank: managing the euro

Mario Draghi President of the Central Bank

employers, farmers, consumers and so on
Advises on new EU laws and policies
Promotes the involvement of civil society in EU matters

353 members

regions
Advises on new EU laws and policies
Promotes the involvement of local government in EU matters

353 members