European Union Key Facts: Motto, Eurozone, History

EU Motto: Meaning and Origin

The motto of the European Union is "United in diversity". This signifies the union of countries with different characteristics, united for a common purpose.

The Eurozone Explained

The Eurozone comprises all the European Union countries that use the Euro (€) as their official currency.

EU Decision-Making Process

• Citizens, interest groups, experts: Discuss and consult.
• European Commission: Makes formal proposals.
• European Parliament & Council of the EU: Decide together.
• National or local authorities: Implement decisions.
• European Commission & Court of Justice: Monitor implementation.

Challenges Facing the European Union

Enlargement Criteria

Countries wishing to join the EU must meet certain criteria:

• Incorporate and apply EU law within their legal system.
• Have stable institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and the protection of minorities.
• Have a functioning market economy.

EU Budget Priorities

The EU budget is annual. Key priorities include job creation and preventing pollution. A part of the budget aims to reduce economic disparities between rich and poor regions, fostering a stronger middle class.

Understanding the Schengen Area

The Schengen Area allows European citizens to travel between member countries using only their national ID card, without internal border checks.

Key EU Activities Today

• Promoting freedom for young people (e.g., study, work abroad).
• Ensuring freedom for employees (e.g., workers' rights, mobility).
• Taking climate action.

Origins of the European Union

After World War II (1939-1945), the United States and the Soviet Union became superpowers, much stronger than individual European countries.

European countries decided to create a continent-wide organization, promoting cooperation among themselves. They had two main objectives:

• To ensure lasting peace.
• To improve their economies.

On May 9th, 1950, Robert Schuman, the French Foreign Minister, presented a proposal for a united Europe.

Evolution of the EU: A Visual Comparison

Two illustrations depict the evolution of the EU:

In the first image, representing "Europe in 1957", a maid asks "Café?" to six men in suits sitting at a rectangular table under a logo with six stars. They all reply in unison, "Oui merci". This refers to the creation of the European Economic Community (EEC) with its initial six members, suggesting easy consensus.

In the second image, representing "Europe in 2010", the maid looks confused as 27 people around a large round table respond differently to her question. The logo above shows 27 stars in a circle. This illustrates the EU's expansion from 6 to 27 members by 2007 (Note: Croatia joined later, making it 28 before Brexit). The diversity of responses signifies the increased complexity and differing opinions within a larger Union, making unanimous agreement difficult. Decisions are now often made by majority vote rather than requiring full consensus.

EU Membership and Brexit

Currently, there are 27 member states in the European Union, following the departure of the United Kingdom (Brexit).

Key EU Treaties Timeline

• 1957: Treaty of Rome - Established the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom).
• 1992: Treaty of Maastricht - Officially established the European Union (EU), replacing the EEC name, and laid the groundwork for the Euro.
• 2009: Treaty of Lisbon - Reformed EU institutions and decision-making processes.

EU Institutional Triangle Overview

The main EU institutions involved in legislation are often referred to as the institutional triangle: the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union (often called the Council), and the European Commission.

European Council: (Note: Distinct from the Council of the EU) Defines the EU's overall political direction and priorities. It comprises heads of state or government.

• Headed by a permanent President (e.g., Charles Michel mentioned in the original text) serving a 2.5-year term, renewable once. The High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy also participates.
• The Presidency of the Council of the EU (where national ministers meet) rotates among member states every six months.
• Headquarters (European Council and Council of the EU): Brussels.
• Voting weights in the Council of the EU are generally based on the population of each country for many decisions.