The European Union EUROPEAN UNION 50 Years of Peace, Prosperity and Partnership
Jun 24, 2015
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.