The European Union

The European Union

1. THE BIRTH OF THE EEC

   • After World War 2, several European countries decided to join forces to strengthen cooperation between ther countries of Europe and to avoid new wars.
     • Six states (Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and West Germany) signed the Treaties of Rome in 1957, which resulted in the foundation of...
       • The EEC (European Economic Community)
         • Their main objective (of the EEC) was to establish a single economic market
       • The EAEC or EURATOM (European Atomic Energy Community)

2. FROM THE SINGLE EUROPEAN ACT TO THE EUROPEAN UNION.

   • In 1986, the Single European Act was signed. It commited the member countries to strenghen the EEC institutions, to move towards a single European currency, and to create a single market.
     • In 1992, the Treaty on European Union was signed. Now called Maastricht Treaty, it created the European Union and set bases for political and economic integration in Europe:
       • Establishment of the single common market
       • Development of common foreign and security policies.
       • Joint cooperation of member countries in justice and internal affairs.
       • Adoption of new common policies
       • The granting of European citenship to all citizens of member countries.
       • The Maastricht Treaty, the Netherlands.
     • In 1997, the Treaty of Amsterdam was signed. It amended various aspects of the Maastricht Treaty.
       • It set out the fundamental rights of all EU citizens.
       • It established new EU targets to promote progress.
       • The Schengen Agreement became EU law.
     • In 2002, the single European currencmember countries.y, the euro, came into circulation in some of the EU

3. EU ENLARGEMENTS

   • The first enlargement of the EEC was in 1973, when Denmark, Ireland and the United kingdom joined the organisation.
     • Then, in 1981 Greece joined.
       • Portugal and Spain became official members in 1986.
         • Austria, Finland and Sweeden later joined in 1995.
           • The Eu grew steadily frm 15 to 27 members.
             • The Eu reached the popuation of over 500 million peaople and became a world economic power.

4. CHALLENGES FACING THE EU

   • It´s current 27 members face many challenges:
     • The EU is a world poiwer that relies on diplomacy, economic relations and humanitarian aid to operate. The international role of the EU is limited by the specific interests of each member country
     • The finantial crisis of 2007 weakened the euro and caused disagreements between member countries about the most effective fiscal policies, the European Central Bank now plays an active role in solving the finantial problems of its members
     • Another challenge for the EU is to agree on migration policy and the leaving of the United Kingdom could influence future relations between the remaining member countries.

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