EUROPEAN UNION

WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION

(EU)?

 It is a group of 28 countries that operates

as a cohesive economic and political block.
Nineteen of the countries use the euro as
their official currency.
EUROPEAN UNION MEMBERS:
Austria Hungary
Belgium Ireland
Bulgaria Italy
Croatia Latvia
Cyprus Lithuania
Czech Republic Luxembourg
Denmark Malta
Estonia Netherlands
Finland Greece
France Germany
 Poland
 Portugal Romania
 Slovakia
 Slovenia
 Spain
 Sweden
 United kingdom
 The EU grew out of a desire to form a single European
political entity to end the centuries of warfare among
European countries that culminated with world war ll and
decimated much of the continent.
 The European single market was established by 12 countries
in 1993 to ensure the so-called four freedoms:
 the movements of goods
 services
 People
 money
The EU’s gross domestic product (GDP)
totaled $17.1 trillion (nominal) in 2017,
which was $2.9 trillion less than the United
States’ $20 trillion GDP, according to figures
available from the World Bank.
UNDERSTANDING THE EUROPEAN UNION

 The EU began as the European Coal and Steel

community, which was founded in 1950 and had just six
members.
 It became the European Community (EC) in 1957.
 The early focus of the EC was a common agricultural
policy .
 A directly elected European Parliament took office in 1979.
 The Maastricht treaty took effect on November 1, 1993 and the European Union
replaced the EC.
WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF
EUROPEAN UNION ?
The overall function of the European
Union is to create and implement
laws and regulations that integrate
the member states of the EU. The
countries of EU are supposed to have
uniform laws and policies concerning a
variety of things.
 GOALS
 Promote peace, its values and the well-being of its citizens
 Offer freedom, security and justice without internal borders
 Sustainable development based on balanced economic
growth and price stability, a highly competitive market
economy with full employment and social progress, and
environmental protection
 Combat social exclusion and discrimination
 Promote scientific and social progress
 Enhance economic, social and territorial cohesion and
solidarity among EU countries
 Establish an economic and monetary union whose currency is
the euro
HOW IS THE EUROPEAN UNION GOVERNED?

The three main bodies:

 EU Council
 EU Parliament
 EU Commission
THE EU IN THE WORLD
Trade
 The European Union is the largest trade block in the world. It is the world’s
biggest exporter of manufactured goods and services, and the biggest import
market for over 100 countries.
Humanitarian aid
 The EU is committed to helping victims of man-made and natural disasters
worldwide and supports over 120 million people each year.
Diplomacy and security
 The EU plays an important role in diplomacy and works to foster stability, security
and prosperity, democracy, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law at
international level.