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.