THE EUROPEAN UNION 50 Years of Peace, Prosperity and Partnership,欧洲联盟50年,Celebrating the European Union:A Half Century of Change and Progress,Since the creation of the EU half a century ago, Europe has enjoyed the longest period of peace in its history. European political integration is unprecedented in history. EU enlargement has helped overcome the division of Europe contributing to peace, prosperity, and stability across the continent. A single market and a common currency conditions for companies and consumers. EU has united the citizens of Europe while preserving Europes diversity.,European Union United in diversity,What is the European Union?,Shared values: liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law. Largest economic body in the world. Worlds most successful model for advancing peace and democracy. A unique institution Member States voluntarily cede national sovereignty in many areas to carry out common policies and governance. Not a super-state to replace existing states, nor just an organization for international cooperation. Worlds most open market for goods and commodities from developing countries.,27,7,30,490 million,Member States,Combined population of EU Member States,Percent of worlds population,Percent of global GDP,55,Percent of combined worldwide Official Development Assistance,EU Institutions,European Commission 27 Commissioners, representing the European perspective, each responsible for a specific policy area. EUs executive branch proposes legislation, manages Unions day-to-day business and budget, and enforces rules. Negotiates trade agreements and manages Europes multilateral development cooperation. Council of the European Union EUs main decision-making body, comprised of ministers of 27 Member States, representing Member States point of view. Decides on foreign policy issues. Council presidency rotates among Member States every six months.,European Commission President Jos Manuel Barroso,EU Institutions,European Parliament Voice of European citizens members elected for five-year terms. With the Council, passes EU laws and adopts EU budgets. Approves EU Commissioners. European Court of Justice Highest EU judicial authority. Ensures all EU laws are interpreted and applied correctly and uniformly. Can act as an independent policy maker but unlike the U.S. Supreme Court, the ECJ can only deal with matters covered by the Treaties.,European Parliament in session,European Central Bank,The European Central Bank (ECB) is the central bank for Europes single currency, the euro. The ECBs main task is to maintain the euros purchasing power and thus price stability in the euro area. The euro area comprises the 15 European Union countries that have introduced the euro since 1999. The ECB operates independently from Member State governments.,The euro was introduced in 1999,United in Diversity - The uro,The uro,In 1999, the euro area was established as a currency in eleven of the then fifteen EU Member States. Of the 27 EU Member States today, fifteen have adopted the euro. One of the striking benefits of a single European currency are low interest rates due to a high degree of price stability. The euro is as stable and credible as the best-performing currencies previously used in the euro area countries., ,1951:,In the aftermath of World War II, the aim was to secure peace among Europes victorious and vanquished nations and bring them together as equals, cooperating within shared institutions. Based on a plan by French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman. Six founding countries Belgium, the Federal Republic of Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands signed a treaty to run heavy industries (coal and steel) under common management.,European Coal and Steel Community,Jean Monnet and other leaders with the first “European” ingot of steel,Treaty of Rome,The six founding countries expanded cooperation to other economic sectors, creating the European Economic Community (EEC) or “common market.” As a result, people, goods, services, and capital today move freely across the Union.,1957:,Signing of the Treaty of Rome,1951 Founding Members Belgium France Germany Italy Luxembourg Netherlands,1973 Denmark Ireland United Kingdom,1981 Greece,1986 Portugal Spain,November 1989 Fall of the Berlin Wall sets the stage for unifying Europe and EU enlargement,1995 Austria Finland Sweden,2004 Cyprus Czech Republic Estonia Hungary Latvia Lithuania Malta Poland Slovakia Slovenia,2007 Bulgaria Romania,Candidate Countries Croatia Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Turkey Potential Candidate Countries Albania Bosnia & Herzegovina Montenegro Serbia including Kosovo under UN Security Council Resolution 1244,50 Years of EU Integration,Enlargement has: Inspired reforms and consolidated common principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms, the rule of law, and market economy. Enhanced the EUs weight in the world and made it a stronger an