Phil. For. Re. 08.24

The EU in brief
The European Union is a unique economic and political union between 28

European countries that together cover much of the continent.
The EU was created in the aftermath of the Second World War. The first
steps were to foster economic cooperation: the idea being that countries
that trade with one another become economically interdependent and so
more likely to avoid conflict.
The result was the European Economic Community (EEC), created in
1958, and initially increasing economic cooperation between six
countries: Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the
Netherlands. Since then, a huge single market has been created and
continues to develop towards its full potential.
From economic to political union
What began as a purely economic union has evolved into an organization

spanning policy areas, from climate, environment and health to external
relations and security, justice and migration. A name change from the
European Economic Community (EEC) to the European Union (EU) in 1993
reflected this.
The EU is based on the rule of law: everything it does is founded
on treaties, voluntarily and democratically agreed by its member
countries.
The EU is also governed by the principle of representative democracy,
with citizens directly represented at Union level in the European
Parliament and Member States represented in the European Council and
the Council of the EU.
Mobility, growth, stability and a single currency

The EU has delivered more than half a century of peace, stability and
prosperity, helped raise living standards and launched a single European
currency: the euro. In 2012, the EU was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for
advancing the causes of peace, reconciliation, democracy and human
rights in Europe.
Thanks to the abolition of border controls between EU countries, people
can travel freely throughout most of the continent. And it has become
much easier to live, work and travel abroad in Europe.
The single or 'internal' market is the EU's main economic engine, enabling
most goods, services, money and people to move freely. Another key
objective is to develop this huge resource also in other areas like energy,
knowledge and capital markets to ensure that Europeans can draw the
maximum benefit from it.
Human rights and equality
One of the EU's main goals is to promote human rights both internally and
around the world. Human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule
of law and respect for human rights: these are the core values of the EU.
Since the Lisbon Treaty's entry in force in 2009, the EU's Charter of
Fundamental Rights brings all these rights together in a single document.
The EU's institutions are legally bound to uphold them, as are EU
governments whenever they apply EU law.
Transparent and democratic institutions
The enlarged EU remains focused on making its

governing institutions more transparent and democratic. More powers
have been given to the directly elected European Parliament, while
national parliaments play a greater role, working alongside the European
institutions. In turn, European citizens have an ever-increasing number of
channels for taking part in the political process.
EU symbols
The EU is recognizable by several symbols, the most well-known being the
circle of yellow stars on a blue background.
This site introduces other symbols such as the European anthem and motto.
The European flag
The 12 stars in a circle symbolize the ideals of unity, solidarity and harmony
among the peoples of Europe.
The European anthem
The melody used to symbolize the EU comes from the Ninth Symphony
composed in 1823 by Ludwig Van Beethoven.
Europe Day
The ideas behind the European Union were first put forward on 9 May 1950
by French foreign minister Robert Schuman. This is why 9 May is celebrated
as a key date for the EU.
The EU motto
"United in diversity" is the motto of the European Union.
It signifies how Europeans have come together, in the form of the EU, to work
for peace and prosperity, while at the same time being enriched by the
continent's many different cultures, traditions and languages.
The history of the European Union
The Founding Fathers of the EU
1945 - 1959
1960 - 1969
1970 - 1979
1980 - 1989
1990 - 1999
2000 2009
2010 today
The Founding Fathers of the EU
The following visionary leaders inspired the creation of the European Union we live
in today. Without their energy and motivation we would not be living in the climate
of peace and stability that we take for granted nowadays. From resistance fighters to
lawyers, the Founding Fathers were a diverse group of people who held the same
ideals: a peaceful, united and prosperous Europe. Beyond the Founding Fathers
described below, many others have worked tirelessly towards, and inspired, the
European project. This section on the Founding Fathers is therefore a work in
progress.
Konrad Adenauer
Joseph Bech
Johan Beyen
Winston Churchill
Alcide De Gasperi
Walter Hallstein
Sicco Mansholt
Jean Monnet
Robert Schuman
Paul-Henri Spaak
Altiero Spinelli
1945 - 1959
A peaceful Europe the beginnings of cooperation
The European Union is set up with the aim of ending the frequent and bloody wars
between neighbours, which culminated in the Second World War. As of 1950, the
European Coal and Steel Community begins to unite European countries
economically and politically in order to secure lasting peace. The six founding
countries are Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
The 1950s are dominated by a cold war between east and west. Protests in Hungary
against the Communist regime are put down by Soviet tanks in 1956. In 1957, the
Treaty of Rome creates the European Economic Community (EEC), or Common
Market.
1960 - 1969
A period of economic growth
The 1960s is a good period for the economy, helped by the fact that EU countries
stop charging custom duties when they trade with each other. They also agree joint
control over food production, so that everybody now has enough to eat - and soon
there is even surplus agricultural produce. May 1968 becomes famous for student
riots in Paris, and many changes in society and behaviour become associated with
the so-called 68 generation.
1970 - 1979
A growing Community the first enlargement
Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom join the European Union on 1 January
1973, raising the number of Member States to nine. The short, yet brutal, ArabIsraeli war of October 1973 results in an energy crisis and economic problems in
Europe. The last right-wing dictatorships in Europe come to an end with the
overthrow of the Salazar regime in Portugal in 1974 and the death of General Franco
of Spain in 1975. The EU regional policy starts to transfer huge sums of money to
create jobs and infrastructure in poorer areas. The European Parliament increases
its influence in EU affairs and in 1979 all citizens can, for the first time, elect their
members directly. The fight against pollution intensifies in the 1970s. The EU adopts
laws to protect the environment, introducing the notion of the polluter pays for the
first time.
1980 - 1989
The changing face of Europe - the fall of the Berlin Wall
The Polish trade union, Solidarno, and its leader Lech Walesa, become household
names across Europe and the world following the Gdansk shipyard strikes in the
summer of 1980. In 1981, Greece becomes the 10th member of the EU, and Spain
and Portugal follow five years later. In 1986 the Single European Act is signed. This
is a treaty which provides the basis for a vast six-year programme aimed at sorting
out the problems with the free flow of trade across EU borders and thus creates the
Single Market. There is major political upheaval when, on 9 November 1989, the
Berlin Wall is pulled down and the border between East and West Germany is
opened for the first time in 28 years. This leads to the reunification of Germany,
when both East and West Germany are united in October 1990.
1990 - 1999
A Europe without frontiers
With the collapse of communism across central and eastern Europe, Europeans
become closer neighbours. In 1993 the Single Market is completed with the 'four
freedoms' of: movement of goods, services, people and money. The 1990s is also the
decade of two treaties: the Maastricht Treaty on European Union in 1993 and the
Treaty of Amsterdam in 1999. People are concerned about how to protect the
environment and also how Europeans can act together when it comes to security and
defence matters. In 1995 the EU gains three more new members: Austria, Finland
and Sweden. A small village in Luxembourg gives its name to the Schengen
agreements that gradually allow people to travel without having their passports
checked at the borders. Millions of young people study in other countries with EU
support. Communication is made easier as more and more people start using mobile
phones and the internet.
2000 2009
Further expansion
The euro is now the new currency for many Europeans. During the decade more and
more countries adopt the euro. 11 September 2001 becomes synonymous with the
'War on Terror' after hijacked airliners are flown into buildings in New York and
Washington. EU countries begin to work much more closely together to fight crime.
The political divisions between east and west Europe are finally declared healed
when no fewer than 10 new countries join the EU in 2004, followed by Bulgaria and
Romania in 2007. A financial crisis hits the global economy in September 2008. The
Treaty of Lisbon is ratified by all EU countries before entering into force in 2009. It
provides the EU with modern institutions and more efficient working methods.
2010 today
A challenging decade
The global economic crisis strikes hard in Europe. The EU helps several countries to
confront their difficulties and establishes the 'Banking Union' to ensure safer and
more reliable banks. In 2012, the European Union is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Croatia becomes the 28th member of the EU in 2013. Climate change is still high on
the agenda and leaders agree to reduce harmful emissions. European elections are
held in 2014 and more Eurosceptics are elected into the European Parliament. A new
security policy is established in the wake of the annexation of Crimea by Russia.
Religious extremism increases in the Middle East and various countries and regions
around the world, leading to unrest and wars which result in many people fleeing
their homes and seeking refuge in Europe. The EU is not only faced with the
dilemma of how to take care of them, but also finds itself the target of several
terrorist attacks.

Phil. For. Re. 08.24

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Phil. For. Re. 08.24

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Phil. For. Re. 08.24

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

The EU in brief

The European Union is a unique economic and political union between 28

From economic to political union

What began as a purely economic union has evolved into an organization

Mobility, growth, stability and a single currency

Human rights and equality

Transparent and democratic institutions

The enlarged EU remains focused on making its

The history of the European Union

The Founding Fathers of the EU

The Founding Fathers of the EU

A peaceful Europe the beginnings of cooperation

A period of economic growth

A growing Community the first enlargement

The changing face of Europe - the fall of the Berlin Wall

A Europe without frontiers

You might also like