EUROPEAN UNION

THE EUROPEAN UNION

INDEX

What is the European Union?

Goals

Anthem

How did the EU start?

Benefits

Flag

Institutions of the EU

Brexit

Coin

Map

WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION?

The EU is a group of 27 countries in Europe. These countries came together to make things better, easier and safer for people. They agreed to work and help each other.

how did the eu start? let´s summarize its history

• After World War II, many countries wanted to create a political and economic union.

• In 1957 (Treaty of Rome) Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Germany and Italy were the first members of what was called European Economic Community (EEC).
• In the 1970s new countries started to join.
• Spain was member in the year 1986.
• In 1992 The Maastricht Treaty was signed and the EEC became the European Union (EU) that is the name it has now.
• In 2020 United Kingdom exited from the EU.

INSTITUTIONS

There are three main European cities where the important decisions are made.

IN BRUSSELS (Belgium)

• The European Council: It has an executive role; it means that don´t make laws.
• The European Commission: It proposes laws and also decides the finantial priorities (budget).
• The Council of the EU: It debates laws and approves the EU budget.

In luxembourg ( Luxembourg)

• The Court of Justice: It is the supreme court of the European Union. It ensures that the EU laws are applied in the same way in all member states. Each state has one judge.
• The European Court of Auditors: It looks after the interests of EU taxpayers. It does not have legal powers but works to check that the money is used correctly.

in strasbourg (France)

The European Parliament: It prepares legislation and passes laws. The members are elected by the EU citizens. The Parliament meets in Strasbourg but also has bases in Brussels and Luxembourg.

map

the eu countries are:

Austria Finland Lithuania SloveniaBelgium France Luxembourg SpainBulgaria Germany Malta SwedenCroatia Greece NetherlandsCyprus Hungary PolandCzech Republic Ireland PortugalDenmark Italy RomaniaEstonia Latvia Slovakia

ANTHEM OF EUROPE

" ODE TO JOY"

lUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN

FLAG

The flag of the EU is blue and has a circle of 12 golden stars on it. The stars stand for the ideals of unity, solidarity and harmony among European people. The number of stars has nothing to do with the number of member countries, though the circle is a symbol of unity.

Most countries that are part of the EU use the same coin. It is called EURO. The Euro makes it easier, cheaper and safer for businesses to buy and sell within the euro area and to trade with the rest of the world. In Spain we started to use it on January 1st 2002.

cOIN

GOALS OF THE EU

• Freedom, security and prosperity of its members countries.
• Respect cultural and linguistic diversity.
• Support environmental protection.
• Protect diplomacy and the rule of law.
• Free movement between member states for education or work reasons.
• Promote economic growth.
• Promote international peace and democracy.

BENEFITS OF BEING PART OF THE EU

The countries that are part of the EU work together to make sure that:

• There is peace in Europe.

• Use the same coin.
• The Single Market.
• Freedom of movements.
• Access to healthcare in other member countries.
• The European Union CE safety mark.

BREXIT

In June 2016 The United Kingdom decided to stop being part of the EU. So from 31st January 2020, this country is no longer part of it.

THE END!