European Union definition

European Union definition

The European Union (EU) is a financial and political union of 28 European union member countries that are located mostly in Europe. Following the Second World War, Europe was troubled. Two wars had fought on the continent. Countries were making war against one another since the Middle Ages. The connections between the states were poor. Following two devastating world wars, the leaders decided that the only way of preventing war was going to begin to cooperate.

This collaboration began in the economy and trade. The Netherlands and Germany, Luxembourg, France, Italy, Belgium settled their disagreements. They began cooperating in the production of steel and coal. This collaboration extended to other regions of life. The European Economic Community (EEC) and other joint associations founded. A representative government, the European Community (EC), was made in 1967. The European Community had Commission and a Council common to all members.

Evolution of European Union

A calm Europe – the beginnings of cooperation

1945 – 1959

The European Union set up to terminate the bloody wars between neighbors, which culminated in the Second World War. As of 1950, Steel Community and the European Coal starts to unite nations economically and politically to secure peace. The six states are the Netherlands and Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg. The 1950s dominated by a war between west and east. Soviet tanks in 1956 put down protests in Hungary against the regime. In 1957, the Treaty of Rome founded the European Economic Community (EEC).

A period of economic growth

1960 – 1969

The 1960s is a good time for the economy, aided by the fact that EU countries cease charging custom duties when they exchange with each other. They agree to control food production so that everyone has to eat – and soon, there’s excess produce. May 1968 becomes popular for student riots in Paris, and changes in behavior and society become correlated with the generation’.

A growing Community – the first enlargement

1970 – 1979

The United Kingdom, Ireland, and Denmark join the European Union on January 1, 1973, increasing the number of Member States. The brief, yet the brutal war of October 1973, results in economic issues and an energy crisis. The last dictatorships in Europe come in the death of General Franco of Spain and Portugal in 1974. The EU policy begins to transfer enormous amounts of money to create infrastructure and jobs in more impoverished regions. The European Parliament increases its influence, and in 1979 their members can be, for the first time, elected by all taxpayers. The fight against corruption intensifies in the 1970s. The EU adopts legislation to protect the environment, introducing the idea of the polluter pays.

The growing face of Europe

1980 – 1989

In 1981, Greece became the 10th member of the EU, and Portugal and Spain followed. The Single European Act was signed. This is a treaty that provides the foundation for a program aimed at sorting the issues out and generates the market.’ There was significant political upheaval when the Berlin Wall pulled down, and the boundary between West and East Germany opened for the first time. This began with the reunification of Germany when West and East Germany were united in October 1990.

A Europe without frontiers

1990 – 1999

With the destruction of communism across eastern Europe and central, Europeans become nearer neighbors. With the’ four freedoms,’ the Single Market was finished in 1993. The 1990s were the decade of two treaties: the Maastricht’ Treaty on the European Union in 1993 and the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1999. People are worried about how to protect the environment in regards to protection and security matters, and Europeans can act together. In 1995 the EU gained three more members: Austria, Finland, and Sweden. A village gives its name in Luxembourg to the’Schengen’ agreements, which enable people to travel without getting their passports checked at the boundaries. Millions of people study in other countries. As an increasing number of people start using the web and mobile telephones, communication made comfortable.

Further expansion

2000 – 2009

The euro is the currency for Europeans. During the decade, a large number of countries choose the euro. September 11, 2001, becomes synonymous with the’War’ after airliners flown into buildings in Washington and New York. EU countries start to work together to fight crime. The divisions between the west and east Europe announced when no fewer than ten new countries join the EU in 2004, followed by Bulgaria and Romania in 31, cured. A fiscal crisis hit the market. Before entering into force in 2009, all EU countries ratify the Treaty of Lisbon. It gives the EU more efficient methods and institutions.

A challenging decade

2010 – today

The financial catastrophe strikes hard in Europe. The EU helps countries to face their issues and establishes the banking Union’ to make banks that are more reliable and safer. In 2012, the Nobel Peace Prize given by the European Union. Croatia shifted a member of the EU in 2013. Climate change is significant on the schedule, and leaders agree to reduce harmful emissions. Elections held in much more Eurosceptics and 2014. A security policy established by Russia in the aftermath of the annexation of Crimea. Religious extremism increases from the Middle East and countries and areas around the world. They are currently contributing to wars and unrest, which results in people seeking refuge in Europe and fleeing their homes. Also, although the EU not only confronted with the dilemma of how to look after them finds itself the target of several attacks.

European union purpose

The EU purpose is common to the EU countries in society. These purposes are an integral part of our way of life:

• Human dignity

Human dignity is inviolable. It has to be protected, respected, and represents the foundation of rights.

• Freedom

Freedom of motion gives citizens the right. The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights protects freedoms like respect for life, Freedom of thought.

• Democracy

Representative Democracy based on the operation of the EU. Being a citizen means enjoying rights. Every EU citizen has the right to vote in elections and to stand as a candidate. EU citizens have the Freedom to stand as a candidate and to vote at their country of origin or the state of residence.

• Equality

Equality is about equal rights for all citizens. The principle of Equality between men and women is the foundation for integration and underpins all policies. It applies to all regions. The system of equal pay for equal work became a section of the Treaty of Rome in 1957. Although inequalities exist, progress has made by the EU.

• Rule of law

The EU foundation on the principle of law. An independent judiciary upholds justice and law — Authority gives by the EU countries, which all must respect decisions.

• Human rights

The EU Charter of Rights protects human rights. These cover the right to be free of discrimination based on racial or ethnic origin, gender, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation, and or the right to get access.

Role of the European Union

The European Union plays the promotion of humanitarian aid, trade, development, and human rights roles in diplomacy and working with organizations. The EEAS’s purpose is to try and bring coordinating and coherence to the international position of the European Union.

The Lisbon Treaty sets out what should guide the European Union.

Functions of the European Union

Such a decision can only attain by dismissing the entirety of post-World War European history. Though some argue that the aim of the European Union was cheap, instead of political. The objective of integration is political, while arrangements and the structures that include the European Union are economical. Weary of centuries of highly-destructive uninterrupted warfare culminating in the most destructive conflict in human history, and wanting to replace the old”balance-of-power” version that had failed twice in the same century, the leaders of West Germany, France, the Netherlands, and other West European countries sought to remove the political divisions that resulted in these conflicts by incorporating both economically and politically. The catch, of course, was that every member state had to be ready to sacrifice financial practices, including in the region of agriculture. Agricultural businesses in France remained politically powerful that they could impede the process of integration.