European Integrationand the EU GEOG 3762 Geography of Europe
Understanding the EU • Why the European Union? • What is the EU today? • Historic Steps • Enlargement • How does the EU work? • What does the EU do?
Why the EU? • Peace • Safety and Security • Economic and Social Solidarity • Bridging the gap between “rich” and “poor • OR is it about something else? (see video later)
What is the EU today? • Supranational Organization of 25 nation states • 450 million people • One of the largest global economies • An organization with distinct economic and social patterns
Historic Steps • Treaty of Paris (1951) = ECSC • Treaty of Rome (1957) = EEC+Euratom • Single European Act (1986) • Treaty on the European Union (1992) • Treaty of Amsterdam (1997) • Treaty of Nice (2001) = Growth from 6 to 15 countries
Enlargement • Copenhagen Summit 2002 • Expansion to 25 countries by May 2004 • Historical origin: 1989 • Criteria for membership: • Political • Economic • Acquis communautaire
Enlargement • Economic issues • 10 new members are at 40% of average EU GDP • How large can the EU become? • 25 countries • 454 Million people • Expansion to 27 in 2007 • Bulgaria and Romania • Turkey, anyone?
How does the EU work? • Confederation of Countries • NOT a federal state • Something NEW!! • Delegation of SOME (?) national sovereignty to EU organizations • National interests • Collective interests
How does the EU work? • Political Structure • Council of European Union • European Commission • European Parliament • European Court of Justice • European Court of Auditors • European Ombudsman
How does the EU work? • Political Structure • Council of European Union • Not European Council or Council of Europe • Main decision making body • Rotating presidency (6 months) • Economic cooperation • Budgetary control • Member state are represented proportionally according to population they represent • Acts on proposals from the Commission, in consultation with the parliament • Majority Vote
How does the EU work? • Political Structure • European Parliament • 626 members • Elected for 5 years • Largest groups • EPP - European People’s Party • PES - Party of European Socialists • Strasbourg and Brussels • Democratic control over community institutions • Shares legislative power with council • Cooperation • Assent • Codecision
How does the EU work? • Political Structure • European Commission • Executive arm of EU • 25 members • Driving force in the integration process • Proposes directions to take • Implements the measures decided on by the Council and Parliament • Answerable to the European Parliament • Since1967, a single Commission has served all three European Communities (ECSC, Euratom and EC).
How does the EU work? • Political Structure • European Court of Justice • 25 judges • Ensure the equal application of community law • Issues proceedings • Failure to fulfill obligation • Annulment • Failure to Act
How does the EU work? • Political Structure • European Court of Auditors • Fiscal watchdogs • Monitors the income and spending of the EU • Ensures correct contributions and redistribution of resources • Monitors the spending habits of member states and individual EU projects and funding sources • Central concern: fraud protection
How does the EU work? • Political Structure • European Ombudsman • Liaison between EU citizens and the organization • Helps individuals in their legal battle against maladministration in the EU • Makes recommendations to Commission to counteract maladmistration
How does the EU work? • Economic Structure • European Central Bank • European Investment Bank
How does the EU work? • Economic Structure • European Central Bank • Define and implement the monetary policy of the euro zone • Conduct foreign exchange operations • Hold and manage the official exchange reserves of the countries of the euro zone; • Issue notes in the zone euro; • Promote the smooth operation of payment systems. • Collects statistical information from national authorities