May, 9th 1950May, 9th 1950SchumanSchuman DeclarationDeclaration

In a speech inspired by Jean Monnet, In a speech inspired by Jean Monnet, On 9 May On 9 May 1950, the French Foreign Minister 1950, the French Foreign Minister Robert Robert SchumanSchuman proposed the establishment of a proposed the establishment of a EuropeanEuropean CoalCoal and Steel Community and Steel Community    (ECSC)(ECSC), , which became reality with the Treaty of Paris of which became reality with the Treaty of Paris of 18 April 1951. This put in place a common 18 April 1951. This put in place a common market in coal and steel between the six market in coal and steel between the six founding countries (Belgium, the Federal founding countries (Belgium, the Federal Republic of Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg Republic of Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands). and the Netherlands).

9 May is celebrated as 9 May is celebrated as the EU's birthday.the EU's birthday.

Fathers of Europe :Fathers of Europe :

PaulPaul HenriHenri SpaakSpaak Robert Schuman Robert Schuman Jean Monnet Jean Monnet Konrad Adenauer Konrad Adenauer Walter Hallstein Walter Hallstein Winston Churchill Winston Churchill Altiero Spinelli Altiero Spinelli

March, 25th 1957March, 25th 1957 The Treaty of RomeThe Treaty of Rome

The Six then decided, on 25 March 1957 with The Six then decided, on 25 March 1957 with the the Treaty of RomeTreaty of Rome, to build a , to build a European European Economic Community Economic Community (EEC)(EEC) based on a wider based on a wider common market covering a whole range of common market covering a whole range of goods and services. Customs duties between goods and services. Customs duties between the six countries were completely abolished on 1 the six countries were completely abolished on 1 July 1968 and common policies, notably on July 1968 and common policies, notably on trade and agriculture, were also put in place trade and agriculture, were also put in place during the 1960s. during the 1960s.

June, 7–10 1979June, 7–10 1979

June 1979 saw a decisive step forward for June 1979 saw a decisive step forward for the European Community, with the the European Community, with the first first elections to the European Parliamentelections to the European Parliament by by direct universal suffrage. These elections direct universal suffrage. These elections are held every five years. are held every five years.

EU fundamental treatisesEU fundamental treatises

The The Paris Paris TreatyTreaty establishingestablishing the the EuropeanEuropean CoalCoal and Steel Community (ECSC) and Steel Community (ECSC), which , which was signed on 18 April 1951 in Paris, was signed on 18 April 1951 in Paris, entered into force on 23 July 1952 and entered into force on 23 July 1952 and expired on 23 July 2002.expired on 23 July 2002.

EU fundamental treatisesEU fundamental treatises

The The TreatyTreaty of of RomeRome, establishing the , establishing the European Economic Community (EEC), European Economic Community (EEC), signed in Rome on 25 March 1957, and signed in Rome on 25 March 1957, and entered into force on 1 January 1958.entered into force on 1 January 1958.

The Treaty establishing the European The Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) was signed at the same time and the two was signed at the same time and the two are therefore jointly known as the are therefore jointly known as the Treaties of Rome. Treaties of Rome.

EU fundamental treatisesEU fundamental treatises The The TreatyTreaty on on EuropeanEuropean Union Union, which was signed in , which was signed in

Maastricht on 7 February 1992Maastricht on 7 February 1992, entered into force on 1 , entered into force on 1 November 1993. 'The Maastricht Treaty changed the name November 1993. 'The Maastricht Treaty changed the name of the European Economic Community to simply "the of the European Economic Community to simply "the European Community".European Community".

It also introduced new forms of co-operation between the It also introduced new forms of co-operation between the Member State governments - for example on defence, and Member State governments - for example on defence, and in the area of "justice and home affairs". By adding this in the area of "justice and home affairs". By adding this inter-governmental co-operation to the existing inter-governmental co-operation to the existing "Community" system, the Maastricht Treaty created a new "Community" system, the Maastricht Treaty created a new structure with three "pillars" which is political as well structure with three "pillars" which is political as well economic. This is the European Union (EU).economic. This is the European Union (EU).

The Treaty of Maastricht also establishes the four main The Treaty of Maastricht also establishes the four main freedoms:free circulation of goods, services, people, capital. freedoms:free circulation of goods, services, people, capital.

January,1st 2002January,1st 2002

2002: Euro notes 2002: Euro notes and coins are and coins are introduced introduced

The euro was introduced for financial (non-cash) transactions in 1999, while notes and coins were issued three years later in the 12 countries of the euro area (also commonly referred to as the euro zone). The euro is now a major world currency for payments and reserves alongside the US dollar.

October,24th 2004October,24th 2004 The 25 EU countries sign a The 25 EU countries sign a TreatyTreaty establishingestablishing

a a EuropeanEuropean ConstitutionConstitution. It is designed to . It is designed to streamline democratic decision-making and streamline democratic decision-making and management in an EU of 25 and more management in an EU of 25 and more countries. It also creates the post of a countries. It also creates the post of a European Foreign Minister. It has to be European Foreign Minister. It has to be ratifiedratified by all 25 countries before it can come into by all 25 countries before it can come into force. When citizens in both France and the force. When citizens in both France and the Netherlands voted 'No' to the Constitution in Netherlands voted 'No' to the Constitution in referendums in 2005, EU leaders declared a referendums in 2005, EU leaders declared a "period of reflection"period of reflection".".

How is Europe How is Europe organized?organized?The The EuropeanEuropean ParliamentParliament: Voice of the people: Voice of the people

The The EuropeanEuropean ParliamentParliament is elected every five years by is elected every five years by the people of Europe to represent their interests. the people of Europe to represent their interests. 

The main job of Parliament is to pass European laws. The main job of Parliament is to pass European laws. It shares this responsibility with the Council of the It shares this responsibility with the Council of the European Union, and the proposals for new laws European Union, and the proposals for new laws come from the European Commission. come from the European Commission. Parliament has the power to dismiss the European Parliament has the power to dismiss the European Commission. Commission. 

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) do not Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) do not sit in national blocks, but in seven Europe-wide sit in national blocks, but in seven Europe-wide political groups. political groups. The main meetings of the Parliament are held in The main meetings of the Parliament are held in Strasbourg, others in Brussels. Like all other EU Strasbourg, others in Brussels. Like all other EU institutions, it works in all 23 official EU languages.institutions, it works in all 23 official EU languages.

How is Europe organized?How is Europe organized?The The CouncilCouncil of the of the EuropeanEuropean Union Union

  Voice of the Member States Voice of the Member States

The The CouncilCouncil of the of the EuropeanEuropean Union Union: — formerly known as the : — formerly known as the Council of Ministers — shares with Parliament the responsibility Council of Ministers — shares with Parliament the responsibility for passing laws and taking policy decisions. It also bears the for passing laws and taking policy decisions. It also bears the main responsibility for what the EU does in the field of the main responsibility for what the EU does in the field of the common foreign and security policy and for EU action on some common foreign and security policy and for EU action on some justice and freedom issues.justice and freedom issues.

The Council consists of ministers from the national governments The Council consists of ministers from the national governments of all the EU countries: foreign ministers, ministers of the of all the EU countries: foreign ministers, ministers of the economy and finance, ministers for agriculture and so on, as economy and finance, ministers for agriculture and so on, as appropriate.appropriate.

Each country has a number of votes in the Council broadly Each country has a number of votes in the Council broadly reflecting the size of their population, but weighted in favour of reflecting the size of their population, but weighted in favour of smaller countries. Most decisions are taken by majority vote, smaller countries. Most decisions are taken by majority vote, although sensitive issues in areas like taxation, asylum and although sensitive issues in areas like taxation, asylum and immigration, or foreign and security policy, require unanimity. immigration, or foreign and security policy, require unanimity. 

How is Europe How is Europe organized?organized?The The EuropeanEuropean CommissionCommission

Promoting the common interestPromoting the common interest

The The EuropeanEuropean CommissionCommission represents and upholds the interests of Europe as a represents and upholds the interests of Europe as a whole. It is independent of national governments.whole. It is independent of national governments.

It drafts proposals for new European laws, which it presents to the European It drafts proposals for new European laws, which it presents to the European Parliament and the Council. It manages the day-to-day business of implementing EU Parliament and the Council. It manages the day-to-day business of implementing EU policies and spending EU funds. The Commission also keeps an eye out to see that policies and spending EU funds. The Commission also keeps an eye out to see that everyone abides by the European treaties and laws. It can act against rule-breakers, everyone abides by the European treaties and laws. It can act against rule-breakers, taking them to the Court of Justice if necessary. taking them to the Court of Justice if necessary. 

The Commission consists of 27 women and men — one from each EU country. They The Commission consists of 27 women and men — one from each EU country. They are assisted by about 24 000 civil servants, most of whom work in Brussels. are assisted by about 24 000 civil servants, most of whom work in Brussels. 

The President of the Commission is chosen by EU governments and endorsed by the The President of the Commission is chosen by EU governments and endorsed by the European Parliament. The other commissioners are nominated by their national European Parliament. The other commissioners are nominated by their national governments in consultation with the in-coming President, and must be approved by governments in consultation with the in-coming President, and must be approved by the Parliament. They do not represent the governments of their home countries. the Parliament. They do not represent the governments of their home countries. Instead, each of them has responsibility for a particular EU policy area. Instead, each of them has responsibility for a particular EU policy area. 

The President and members of the Commission are appointed for a period of five The President and members of the Commission are appointed for a period of five years, coinciding with the period for which the European Parliament is elected. years, coinciding with the period for which the European Parliament is elected. 

Member states of the EU……..

Member states of the EUMember states of the EU1.1. AustriaAustria

2.2. BelgiumBelgium

3.3. BulgariaBulgaria

4.4. CyprusCyprus

5.5. CzechRepublicCzechRepublic

6.6. DenmarkDenmark

7.7. EstoniaEstonia

8.8. FinlandFinland

9.9. FranceFrance

10.10. GermanyGermany

11.11. GreeceGreece

12.12. HungaryHungary

13.13. IrelandIreland

  

1.1. ItalyItaly

2.2. LatviaLatvia

3.3. LithuaniaLithuania

4.4. LuxembourgLuxembourg

5.5. MaltaMalta

6.6. NetherlandsNetherlands

7.7. PolandPoland

8.8. PortugalPortugal

9.9. RomaniaRomania

10.10. SlovakiaSlovakia

11.11. SloveniaSlovenia

12.12. SpainSpain

13.13. SwedenSweden

14.14. UnitedUnited KingdomKingdom

EnlargmentEnlargment 1 May 20041 May 2004 Eight countries of central and Eight countries of central and

eastern Europe — the Czech eastern Europe — the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia — join Slovenia and Slovakia — join the EU, finally ending the the EU, finally ending the division of Europe decided by division of Europe decided by the Great Powers 60 years the Great Powers 60 years earlier at Yalta. Cyprus and earlier at Yalta. Cyprus and Malta also become members.Malta also become members.

Candidate Countries: Candidate Countries: Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey.Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey.

EnlargmentEnlargment

1 January 20071 January 2007 Two more countries from Two more countries from

eastern Europe, Bulgaria and eastern Europe, Bulgaria and Romania, now join the EU, Romania, now join the EU, brining the number of brining the number of member states to 27 member states to 27 countries. Croatia, the Former countries. Croatia, the Former

Yugoslav Republic of Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Turkey are Macedonia and Turkey are also candidates for future also candidates for future membership.   membership.  

Candidate Countries: Candidate Countries: CroatiaCroatia, , the the FormerFormer YugoslavYugoslav RepublicRepublic of Macedonia of Macedonia and and TurkeyTurkey..

Berlin DeclarationBerlin DeclarationMarch, 25° 2007March, 25° 2007

The shared values of respect for The shared values of respect for the individual, tolerance, the individual, tolerance, solidarity and equal solidarity and equal opportunities are re-affirmed in opportunities are re-affirmed in the Berlin declaration adopted the Berlin declaration adopted on 25 March. The role of the on 25 March. The role of the common market and the euro common market and the euro are also acknowledged for are also acknowledged for enabling the union to forge enabling the union to forge economic links and keeping it economic links and keeping it competitive in the face of competitive in the face of globalisationglobalisation

Commission president Barroso Commission president Barroso praised what the EU has praised what the EU has achieved in the last 50 years: achieved in the last 50 years: "Peace, liberty and prosperity "Peace, liberty and prosperity beyond the dreams of even beyond the dreams of even the most optimistic founding the most optimistic founding father of Europe."father of Europe."

German finance minister Peer Steinbrück, Commission president José Manuel Barroso, German federal chancellor Angela Merkel and the president of the EU parliament Hans-Gert Pöttering

                                              

The European Union (EU) is a family of democratic European countries, committed to working together for peace and prosperity. It is not a State intended to replace existing States, nor is it just an organisation for international

cooperation.

The historical roots of the European Union The historical roots of the European Union lie in the Second World War. The idea lie in the Second World War. The idea was born because Europeans were was born because Europeans were determined to prevent such killing and determined to prevent such killing and destruction ever happening again. Now destruction ever happening again. Now the EU embraces 27 countries and 490 the EU embraces 27 countries and 490 million people, and it deals with a wide million people, and it deals with a wide range of issues of direct importance for range of issues of direct importance for our everyday life. our everyday life.

Europe is a continent with many different Europe is a continent with many different traditions and languages, but also with traditions and languages, but also with

shared values such as democracy, freedom shared values such as democracy, freedom and social justice. The EU defends these and social justice. The EU defends these values. It fosters cooperation among the values. It fosters cooperation among the peoples of Europe, promoting unity while peoples of Europe, promoting unity while

preserving diversity and ensuring that preserving diversity and ensuring that decisions are taken as close as possible to decisions are taken as close as possible to

the citizens.the citizens.