unit 4. the european union
TRANSCRIPT
UNIT 4: THE EUROPEAN UNION
THE EUROPEAN UNION
• What is the EU? • How many countries belong nowadays to this organization?
Can you name them?• When was the EU formed? • Which Treaty was signed?• How many countries signed this first Treaty? • Why did those countries set up (create) the EU?• Which were these first countries?
KEY QUESTIONS: Pg. 50
The European Union is a group of countries whose governments work together.
It's like a club. To join you have to agree to follow the rules and in return you get certain benefits.
This group of countries have to pay taxes but they have benefits. For example, if there is a natural
disaster in one of the member countries the others give them money or also in wars.
What is the EU?
How many people live in the EU?
Population in millions (2015)
508 million in total
EU population compared to the rest of the world
Population in millions (2015)
1945
The end of the II WORLD WAR
II WORLD WAR
WINNERS LOSERSFrance
United Kingdom
The USA
GERMANY
Russia (Soviet Union)
?West
East
IRON CURTAIN (telón de Acero): 1945-1991
WESTERN COUNTRIES
SOVIET UNION
Europe after the II WORLD WAR
BERLIN WALL
TIMELINE
THE END OF THE
II WORLD WAR
TREATY OF ROME
makes the EUROPEAN ECONOMIC
COMMUNITY (EEC).
Single Market (6 countries)
TREATY OF PARIS:
creation of EUROPEAN COAL AND
STEEL COMMUNITY
(ECSC)
Euro banknotes and coins replaced national
currencies in member states.
2013
, Cro
atia
beca
me
the
28th
EU
mem
ber1945 1951 1957
The European Union was formally established when the MAASTRICHT TREATY came into force setting clear
rules for the future currency. Single
market completed
1992 2002
How the EUROPEAN UNION has grown: Enlargement: from 6 to 28 countries
2004 is the biggest
expansion (enlargement) of the Union
since it started
Do all EU countries use the euro?
EUROZONEconsists of the EU countries that have adopted the euro.
WHAT IS THE EU CURRENCY?
POUNDZLOTY
Danish and Swedish Krona/e
EU O
BJEC
TIVE
SThe purpose of the EU is protect and strengthen the rights of its members
PoliticalObjectives
•To promote democracy and freedom in Europea and around the world
•To prevent diseases and promote medical research
•To fight cybercrime, terrorism and human trafficking
•To improve working conditions and promotes equal opportunities
Economic Objectives
•To create jobs and promote economic growth
•To develop small businesses and encourage innovation
•To act together to help member states with economic problems.
•To make it posible for goods, money and services to move freely between countries
EUROPEAN UNION SYMBOLS•The flag consists of circle of 12 gold stars on a blue background. •They stand for the ideals of unity, solidarity and harmony among the peoples of Europe.•The number of stars has nothing to do with the number of member countries, though the circle is a symbol of unity.
The Council of Europe adopted Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" theme as its anthem. This anthem expresses the European ideals of freedom, peace and solidarity.
FLAGANTHEM
It shows 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 MOTTO "United in diversity" EURO
The European flag
The European anthem
The euro Europe Day, 9 May
The motto: United in diversity
INSTITUTIONS: HOW IS IT RUN?
EUROPEAN UNION
EXECUTIVE POWER
JUDICIAL POWER
LEGISLATIVE POWER
The court of justice of the EU
Council of the European Union
European ParliamentEuropean
Commission
Proposes lawsMakes sure every country
respects that lawPasses/approves laws
INSTITUTIONS: HOW IS IT RUN?EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Location: BRUSSELS
ROLE: Proposes and enforces new laws for the EU. It’s the executive body of the EU.
MEMBERS: A team of 28 Commissioners, 1 from each EU country.
Once they have agreed what law to propose, they send their proposal to the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union.
INSTITUTIONS: HOW IS IT RUN?
EUROPEAN UNION
EXECUTIVE POWER
JUDICIAL POWER
LEGISLATIVE POWER
The court of justice of the EU
Council of the European Union
European ParliamentEuropean
Commission
Proposes lawsMakes sure every country
respects that lawPasses/approves laws
INSTITUTIONS: HOW IS IT RUN?
• ROLE: make/pass laws and helps to decide how much money the EU should spend (budget).
• MEMBERS: There are 751 members. Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are elected every 5 years. The last elections were in May 2014.
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
Location: STRASBOURG-FRANCE Congress of Deputies
IT’S THE LEGISLATIVE BODY OF THE EU
In Spain…
ROLE: discuss and adopt laws and coordinate EU policies.
MEMBERS: Government ministers from each EU country (28 in total), according to the area to be discussed.
Depending on the policy that is discussed, each country sends their minister responsible for that area. For example, when the Council meeting is about economic affairs, each country's finance minister will attend to it.
After discussing a proposal, the Council votes on it.
Once the Council and the Parliament have passed a new law, EU countries have to respect it.
INSTITUTIONS: HOW IS IT RUN?The COUNCIL of the
EULocation: BRUSSELS
Every six months a different country gets the presidency of the EU.
The NETHERLANDS is nowadays the leader from January to June.
Spain led the EU in 2010.
THE PRESIDENCY
INSTITUTIONS: HOW IS IT RUN?
INSTITUTIONS: HOW IS IT RUN?
EUROPEAN UNION
EXECUTIVE POWER
JUDICIAL POWER
LEGISLATIVE POWER
The court of justice of the EU
Council of the European Union
European ParliamentEuropean
Commission
Proposes lawsMakes sure every country
respects that lawPasses/approves laws
ROLE: The Court’s job is to ensure that EU laws are respected and are applied in the same way everywhere.MEMBERS: It has one judge from each EU country.
INSTITUTIONS: HOW IS IT RUN?THE COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE EU
Location: LUXEMBOURG
EUROPEAN COUNCILLocation: BRUSSELS
ROLE: The European Council brings together EU leaders to set the EU's political agenda. It defines the priorities of the European Union.
MEMBERS: Heads of state or government of EU countries.
THE EUROIt was introduced in 2002
It is a symbol of unity
There are 7 banknotes
The coins have the same design on one side but the other side is country-specific
It is based on a Greek letter. The two bars across the middle are a symbol of stability
8 coins
SPANISH €
FRENCH €
THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK (ECB)
•It is located in Germany•It is responsable for maintening price stability in the EUROZONE
Mario Draghi
SINGLE MARKETIn 1993, the most of the trade barriers (physical, fiscal, technical) have been... REMOVED!
GOODS, MONEY, PEOPLE AND SERVICES COULD
MOVE FREELY
ALL GOODS ARE PRODUCED ACCORDING
TO THE SAME STANDARDS/QUALITY
SO…THIS MAKES THIS MARKET
MORE COMPETITIVE
All companies are under the same trading rules and
standardsSO…
SO…
BECAUSE…
WHAT ADVANTAGES ARE THERE OF BEING AN
EU CITIZEN?
Employment Mobility: FREEDOM TO WORK ANYWHERE WITHIN THE EU.
HAVING THE SAME CURRENCY MAKES IT EASIER TO BUY (IMPORT) AND SELL (EXPORT).
NO BORDER TAXES.
Residential Mobility: FREEDOM TO LIVE IN OTHER EU COUNTRIES.
As a citizen of the European Union, you deserve all the rights and privileges offered by the country in which you live: Health, education, unemployment
programs, pension...
INTERESTING LINKS
• http://europa.eu/kids-corner/index_en.htm
• http://europa.eu/kids-corner/countries/flash/index_en.htm
• http://europa.eu/about-eu/index_en.htm
