Maturita Card 39: The European Union

zz What is theEuropean Union?

TheEuropean Union is agroup of 27 member states
from all over Europe. Theaim of theEU is to create
apolitical and economic community across Europe,
so that there are trade and government agreements
between thecountries and themajority use a single
currency; theeuro. Another important principle is
theopen border policy. This means people from the
EU are free to travel, work or live in other member
states without needing avisa.

zz How does theEU assist member countries?

While some people think that theEU is abureaucratic
nightmare, it works with and assists member countries
in many ways. Asignificant portion of their budget is
dedicated to promoting / supporting agriculture in
member countries and protecting theenvironment.
TheEU also promotes growth and development in
less wealthy member states, as well as providing
funds for transportation and infrastructure, energy
development and scientific research.

zz What is the Schengen Agreement?

The Schengen Agreement was adopted in 1985
between five nations and later expanded to include
most continental European nations. There are no
border controls within the Schengen Agreement area,
so EU citizens can travel from one country to another
without a passport. Not all EU members are part of
the Schengen Agreement (e.g. the UK and Ireland did
not sign it) and not all Schengen States are in the EU
(e.g.Switzerland and Norway).

zz Is there acentre or acapital of theEU?

Brussels, located / found in Belgium, is theunofficial /
de facto capital of theEuropean Union. It is considered
to be theadministrative / executive capital. It is where
theEuropean Commission, Council of theEuropean
Union and theEuropean Council sit. Strasbourg,
located in France, is theofficial seat of theEuropean
Parliament / is seen as thelegislative capital of Europe.
Luxembourg is theseat / location of theEuropean
Court of Justice, theEuropean Commission and
theEuropean Investment Bank as well as other
European institutions. It is viewed / seen as thejudicial
and financial capital of theEU. TheEuropean Central
Bank is located / found / based in Frankfurt in Germany.

zz Who are/arent members of theEU?

TheEU consists of nearly / almost half abillion people
and covers over 4 million square kilometres. Countries
must fulfil theCopenhagen criteria(established in
1993) to be considered for membership in theEU.
Thecriteriastates that members must have astable
democratic government, respect for minorities and
human rights, and acompetitive and functional
market economy. Norway, Switzerland and
Lichtenstein are not full EU members by choice, but
they cooperate economically and politically. Croatiais
set to become the28th member of theEU on July 1,
2013. TheCzech Republic joined theEU in 2004.
zz Who is theleader of theEuropean Union?
Since its beginning, theEU has had arotating
presidency in which member countries take turns
being in charge for six months at atime. However,
this position / role / function is mostly symbolic.
TheEuropean Council consists of heads of state
from all member countries, and they propose /
suggest issues to be addressed / talked about at
future meetings. TheEuropean Commission acts as
theexecutive branch of thegovernment and works
directly with thetwo legislative houses: TheEuropean
Parliament and theCouncil of theEuropean Union.
These two houses actually make and vote on laws,
similar to Parliaments in other countries. Jos Manuel
Duro Barroso from Portugal is the current President
of the European Commission.

zz What are some other important cities in

theEuropean Union?
London in theUK is thelargest city by population in
theEuropean Union. Over 12 million people live in
theUKs capital and it is well-known for being avery
cosmopolitan city with over 300 different languages
being spoken there. It is also amajor centre for
finance.
Paris is thecapital of France and is themost popular
city for tourists. It is famous for its culture and fashion
and is home to such well known landmarks / sites as
theEiffel Tower, and theLouvre art gallery.
Berlin is thecapital of Germany and is known for its
culture / arts / film festival and nightlife. You can visit
thefamous Brandenburg Gate and Berlin Wall, which
was once asymbol of theCold War.
zz What is theEuropean Capital of Culture?
Whatrole does it play?
TheEuropean Capital of Culture is atitle given to
acity for ayear. It is achance for thechosen city to
get some money from theEU to promote cultural
events. Thecity uses thismoney for regeneration /
to promote arts events / to attract tourists / to create
awareness of thecity throughout theEU. In 2013 two
cities are holding thetitle: Marseille in France and
Koice in Slovakia.
MayJune 2013

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