Key Concepts of the European Union: Treaties, Institutions & Policies

Key Concepts of the European Union

Demographic Indicators

• Population Density: Calculated by dividing the area of a place by the number of inhabitants that live there.
• Urbanization Rate: Expressed as a percentage, it represents the population living in cities compared to the total population of a country or area.

EU Treaties and Their Significance

• Treaty of Paris (1951): Established the European Coal and Steel Community.
• European Coal and Steel Community: Created by the Treaty of Paris.
• Treaty of Rome (1957): Established the European Economic Community (EEC), or Common Market, aiming for the free movement of persons and goods.
• Single European Act: Promoted economic and monetary integration and strengthened structural funds.
• Maastricht Treaty: Created the European Union and established its three pillars: the Economic and Monetary Union, cooperation in domestic policy, and foreign policy.
• Treaty of Amsterdam: Reformed the free movement of persons, social policy, and common security.
• Nice Treaty: Reformed EU institutions and the distribution of power in anticipation of EU enlargement.

EU Institutions, Policies, and Funds

• Euro: The official currency in 19 of the 27 member states of the European Union.
• European Union: A grouping of European countries that share several institutions to which they delegate some of their sovereignty.
• European Central Bank: The EU institution responsible for managing the euro and ensuring price stability.
• Structural Funds: Grants provided by the EU to reduce the development gap among member countries.
• European Social Fund: Promotes access to the labor market for the unemployed by financing training activities.
• Cohesion Fund: Funds intended to help countries with a GDP below the EU average for environmental projects and improving transport infrastructure.
• Economic and Social Committee: Advises EU institutions on socio-economic matters.
• Committee of the Regions: Consulted on matters relating to education, health, culture, and transport.
• European Citizenship: A legal status involving different rights, such as the freedom to move and reside within member countries, to vote in elections, etc.
• European Investment Bank: Lends money for the implementation of transport infrastructure and environmental projects.
• Common Agricultural Policy: Promotes high-quality agricultural production, respects the environment, and provides aid to farmers and ranchers.