Summary Britta Kase (0)

Britta Kase
143123HAKB
Summary
The booklet offers a brief , simple explanation how the European Union is relevant to us in our everyday life, how it affects our lives in many areas and how can we benefit from it. The booklet gives also a very readable overview of EU’s history and how its member states have come together. It’s a great starting point to know the roots , history and functioning of the European Union.
I found this booklet interesting because it provides an insight into relevance of the EU. I have never thought that making phone calls and flying has become cheaper as a result of EU. EU has abolished national monopolies and has permitted competition. For me the most important thing is air, water and food quality . The EU has introduced compulsory quality standards for the air we breathe, there are quality standards for drinking water as well and EU has forced all food manufacturers to label their products . All member states must follow rules made by EU because the threat to our environment can only be tackled collectively.
EU has made our lives easier. Travelling in Europe is very easy because there are no longer any border controls between most European countries. The Schengen Agreement has made border controls between its member countries unnecessary. That’s how freedom of movement has created. Anyone can decide where they prefer to live , study or work . And if we fall ill or have an accident in other European country , we can be sure that we can get medical treatment with no fuss and at the same cost as people living in that country. These are very relevant points for all Europeans.
EU is relevant to students and trainees too. EU’s Erasmus program provides students and trainees the financial and organizational support for a spell aboard or work placement. The program works in partnership with European universities, companies and institutions , it offers to millions Europeans the chance to study, train , work or volunteer abroad. Young people may work as volunteers either within or outside EU, in a wide range of areas such as social care, the environment, culture, youth , sports and development cooperation .
The booklet contains illustration about how well off are Europeans. The countries of the EU are very different and the standard of living is different. Economic power of a country helps to measure gross domestic product (GDP) and parity of purchasing power. This is the only way to make countries comparable. The graphic shows that the GDP per head is the highest in Luxembourg and the lowest in Bulgaria. The GDP per head in Estonia is quite low, lower than th EU average . The EU aims to reduce the disparaties and that is why poorer regions of the EU receive money to impove their infrastructure and so enhance their economic opportunities.
The idea of united Europe was born in the former enemies France and Germany that they should join together. The first body from which today ’s EU emerged was the European Coal and Steel Community. The aim was to manage the coal reserves collectively, coal was the most important energy source then. Each country had a say in the affairs of every other country, none of them could then work or secretly arm against another , but they could rebuild Europe together and peace could be assured in Europe. Mutual emnity thus turned into cooperation and this was extremely successful, more and more countries have joined the EU over the years .
The basic principles behind the EU are maintaining peace among the member states, cooperation for mutual benefit and increasingly common external action .