The European Union (0)

The European Union (EU) is an economic and political union where are 27 member states drom European continent . The EU operates through a system of independent institutions and decisions are made by the member countries. EUs population is of over 500 million inhabitants which is 7.3% of the world population, there are 23 different languages and for now 17 countries are using EUs common currency Euro.
EU was founded after World War II, when Europe was struggeling in social and political devastations. In 1948 a congress in Hague was held to discuss ideas about the development of European political co- operation . There were many important political figures such as Konrad Adenauer and Winston Churchill. On 9th May in 1950 French Minister of Foreign Affairs proposed that France and the Federal Republic of Germany should combine their coal and steel resources and let other European countries join also. From that on, the 9th of May has been considered as the birth of European Union and is now celebrated as Europe Day. In 1951 the founding members ( Belgium , the Federal Republic of Germany, France, Italy , Luxembourg and Netherlands sign a treaty of European Coal and Steel Community for a period of 50 years . In 1955 the six countries decide to extend European economy and in 1957 the treaty of Rome is signed (which establishes the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy Community). In 1960 from the pressure of the UK the Stockholm Convention establishes European Free Trade Association . In 1963 an agreement is signed creating an association between the European Economic Community and Turkey . In 1965 in Brussels was signed a treaty which combined European Coal and Steel Community, European Atomic Energy Community and the European Economic Community into a single institution. In 1968 a common tariff is intorduced due to the fact , that industrial goods are abolished and in the next year the leaders decide to open a way for European enlargement. In 1970 greater powers are given to the European Parliament , in 1973 Denmark , Ireland and the UK join the European Communities. In 1974 the members start to meet as the European Council three times a year. The next year EEC signes a treaty with 46 African, Caribbean and Pacific countries and greater power is given to European Parliament. In 1979 the first direct elections to the European Parliament took place . Two years later Greek joins European Communities (now there were 10 members). In 1985 the Schengen Agreement is signed to abolish border cheks within the EU members. The next year Spain and Portugal join the European Communities.
In 1989 the Berlin Wall falls and in the next year German unites. In 1992 the treaty on Eurpean Union is signed in Maastricht. In 1993 the single market is created, the next year Austia , Finland and Sweden join the EU. In 1997 the treaty of Amsterdam is signed, which showed the beginnings of a common foreign and security policy . In 1999 The European Central Bank takes responsibility for monetary policy and launches euro to 11 countries, Greek joines in 2001. Same year in Nice the European Council agrees to change the system for enlargement of the EU, in 2001 the treaty is signed. In 2002 new Euro coins and notes are introduced to the eurozone members. In 2004 10 countries join the EU: Estonia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary , Latvia, Lithuania , Malta, Poland , Slovakia and Slovenia . In 2007 Bulgaria and Romania join the EU, Slovenia also joins the eurozone. In 2008 Cyprus and Malta also join the eurozone, following Slovakia in 2009 and Estonia in 2011.
Today the union has a common single market consisting of a customs union, a common agricultural policy, a common trade policy, a commons fisheries policy and a commons foreign and security policy. EUs aim is to work together to improve the life of their citizens.
There are 3 main decision- making institutions within the European Union, Parliament, Council and the European Commission. It’s political system is historically unique and has been constantly evolving over more than 50 years. The EU operates through a system of independent institutions and decisions are made by the member countries.The most important EU Institutions are the European Council which sets the overall political direction (led by Herman von Rumpuy); the European Commission which represents the interests of the Union as a whole ; the Council of the European Union which represents the goverments of the individual member countries and the European Parliament which represents the EU’s citizens and is elected by them . Other EU institutions are the Court of Justice which upholds the rule of European law; the Court of Auditors which checks the financing of the EU’s activities and many more.
the European Economic and Social Committee represents civil society, employers and employees
the Committee of the Regions represents regional and local authorities
the European Investment Bank finances EU investment projects and helps small businesses through the European Investment Fund
the European Central Bank is responsible for European monetary policy
the European Ombudsman investigates complaints about maladministration by EU institutions and bodies
the European Data Protection Supervisor safeguards the privacy of people’s personal data
the Publications Office publishes information about the EU
the European Personnel Selection Office recruits staff for the EU institutions and other bodies
the European School of Administration provides training in specific areas for members of EU staff