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The European Union

The integration process


The European Union is an economic and political association consisting of 27 democratic European countries. The European Union exists because of a series of treaties and agreements that were signed from the mid-20th century onwards. Treaty of Paris (1951): established the European Coal and Steel Community. Treaty of Rome (1957): it constituted the European Economic Community, or Common Market, whose main objectives were the free movement of people, goods, services and capital, and the suppression of customs and tariffs (Customs Union) Single European Act (1986): it promoted economic and monetary integration and reinforced the structural funds. Treaty on European Union or Maastricht Treaty (1992): it created the European Union and established its three pillars: economic and monetary union, common foreign and security policies, and cooperation in judicial and domestic matters. Treaty of Amsterdam (1997): it reinforced the free movement of people, social policy (based on the respect for human rights) and matters of common security. Creation of the euro (1990): the single currency came into circulation in 2002 in the majority of EU countries. Treaty of Nice (2001): reformed the institutions of the community and the division of powers with a view to the future enlargement of the European Union. Treaty of Lisbon (2007): it gave greater power to the European Parliament and allows for more participation of national parliament and citizens. It has also established the European Council as a formal EU institution.

Enlargement of the European Union


Since its creation in 1957, the European Union has been enlarged several times. The first enlargement took place in 1973. Since then, there have been several others, until the present number of 27 members was reached. In the last two enlargements inn 2004 and 2007, 12 countries from Central and Eastern Europe were integrated into the European Union. Before joining, these countries had to improve their economies (modernization of various activities, construction of infrastructures, legislation to protect the environment, etc.) and they received economic assistance from the European Union.

The institutions of the European Union


The countries of the European Union share a series of institutions which have changed over the years.

European Parliament
Composition: members of the European Parliament elected by the citizens of the member countries by universal suffrage every five years Functions: mostly legislative, together with the Council of the European Union; controlling the work of the European Commission and approving the EU budget jointly with the Council.

Seat: the principal headquarters are in Strasbourg, France.

European Council
Composition: heads of state or government of all member states. The President of the European Council is elected every two and a half years Functions: guarantees the continuity of the Councils work and promotes agreement between member states. It also takes decisions about EU policy Seat: Brussels, Belgium.

Council of the European Union


Composition: ministers from the member states. The Council meets to discuss different issues: agriculture, social policies, economy and finance, etc. Functions: responsible for passing EU laws and approving the budget, together with the European Parliament. It also coordinates economic policies. Seat: Brussels, but the Council also meets in Lusembourg

European Commisssion
Composition: a president (elected by the governments of the European Union in accordance with the election results of the European Parliament) and commissioners (one for each member state). Each commissioner is in charge of a specific area (environment, fishing, etc.) of the European Union. The Treaty of Lisbon created the posts of High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission, responsible for foreign policy and EU defence policy. Functions: presents proposals for new European laws to the European Parliament and Council, controls the implementation of common EU policies and manages the budget. Seat: the main seat is in Brussels

Court of Justice of the European Union


Composition: one judge from each member state of the European Union Functions: makes sure that EU legislation is interpreted and applied in the same way in all member states. Seat: Luxembourg

Court of Auditors
Composition: one member from each EU member state Functions: it checks that EU funds are managed and spent correctly Seat: Luxembourg

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