Brief Presentation of the European Union Subject: International Relations I Teacher: Horaldo Romero Group: #8 November 2011

1. European
Union

2. Definition
Is an economic and political union of
27 independent member states
which are located primarily in Europe.

3. Main Objectives
Promote economic and social progress and a
high level of employment and to achieve
balanced and sustainable development.
Maintain and develop the Union as an area of
freedom, security and justice.

4. Member States of the European Union
Belgium (1952) Greece (1981) Hungary (2004)
France (1952) Portugal (1986) Latvia (2004)
Germany (1952) Spain (1986) Lithuania (2004)
Italy (1952) Austria (1995) Malta (2004)
Luxembourg (1952) Finland (1995) Poland (2004)
Netherlands (1952) Sweden (1995) Slovakia (2004)
Denmark (1973) Cyprus (2004) Slovenia (2004)
Ireland (1973) Czech Republic (2004) Bulgaria (2007
United Kingdom (1973) Estonia (2004) Romania (2007)

5. History of the European Union
1945 - 1959
A peaceful Europe – the beginnings of
cooperation.
1960 - 1969
The ‘Swinging Sixties’ – a period of economic
growth
1970 – 1979
A growing Community – the first Enlargement

6. History of the European Union
1980 - 1989
The changing face of Europe - the fall of the Berlin
Wall.
1990 - 1999
A Europe without frontiers
2000 - Today
A decade of further expansion

7. Treaties of the European Union
The Treaties of the European Union are a set
of international treaties between the European
Union (EU) member states which sets out the
EU's constitutional basis.

8. Infrastructure
The developing European transport policies will
increase the pressure on the environment in
many regions by the increased transport
network.

9. Agriculture
The policy has the objectives of increasing
agricultural production, providing certainty in
food supplies, ensuring a high quality of life for
farmers, stabilizing markets, and ensuring
reasonable prices for consumers.

10. Education and Science
In its first 20 years it has supported international
exchange opportunities for well over 1.5 million
university and college students and has
become a symbol of European student life.

11. Pros and Cons
Advantages
- High reduction of war probability.
- All European countries entering the E.U. are bound to restrictions that are
favorable to their economy and development.
- A European currency that reduces monetary instability, eliminates
exchange rates and favors trade.
- Europe strengthens each member country because it is bound to other
member countries and is therefore stronger against other big economies.
- Europeans can move around freely within the European Union and
therefore seek for jobs in other countries than there own.

12. Pros and Cons
Disadvantages
Reduction of sovereignty when European Institutions ask countries to give
some of their sovereign powers to the E.U. which doesn't always benefit to
every country

13. Conclusion