by European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 European countries that are located primarily in Europe. Established after World War II to foster economic cooperation and prevent future conflicts, the EU has evolved into a single market allowing goods, services, and people to move freely. It has its own currency, the euro, used by 19 of the member countries. The EU operates through a hybrid system of supranational institutions and intergovernmental decisions by the member states, covering policies ranging from climate, environment, and health to external relations and security, justice, and migration. Its aim is to promote peace, its values, and the well-being of its citizens.
History of EU:
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European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) – 1951:
The foundation of the EU can be traced back to the ECSC, established by the Treaty of Paris. France, West Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg agreed to pool their coal and steel resources, key components of military power, to make war between them unthinkable.
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Treaty of Rome – 1957:
Building on the success of the ECSC, the same six countries signed the Treaty of Rome, creating the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom). The EEC aimed at establishing a common market and customs union among its members.
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Expansion and Renaming – 1970s-1990s:
The EEC saw its first enlargement in 1973 with the addition of Denmark, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. Greece followed in 1981, and Spain and Portugal in 1986. The Single European Act of 1986 set the stage for completing the single market. The Treaty of Maastricht in 1992 officially established the European Union (EU) and laid the groundwork for economic and monetary union, including the introduction of the euro currency.
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Further Enlargement and Deepening – 2000s:
The EU expanded to include Eastern European countries, Cyprus, and Malta in the early 21st century, bringing its membership to 28 by 2013. The Treaty of Amsterdam (1997), the Treaty of Nice (2001), and the Treaty of Lisbon (2007) further reformed the EU’s institutional structure and expanded its powers.
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Recent Developments:
The most significant recent development in the EU’s history is the United Kingdom’s decision to leave, a process known as Brexit, which was completed on January 31, 2020. This marked the first time a member state left the Union, reducing its membership to 27 countries.
Objectives of EU:
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Promote Peace and Stability:
One of the founding principles of the EU is to secure lasting peace among its members, a goal rooted in the aftermath of World War II.
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Create an Internal Market:
The EU aims to establish an internal market where goods, services, capital, and people can move freely across member states, fostering economic cooperation and development.
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Economic and Monetary Union:
A key objective is the establishment of an economic and monetary union, culminating in the adoption of the euro as a common currency among many of its member states to facilitate trade and economic stability.
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Promote Inclusion and Combat Discrimination:
EU seeks to promote social inclusion, gender equality, and combat discrimination to ensure all citizens have equal opportunities.
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Foster Sustainable Development:
EU is committed to sustainable development, balancing economic growth with environmental protection and social inclusion. It aims to lead on global environmental issues, including climate change.
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Enhance Security and Justice:
EU works to enhance security within its borders, fight terrorism, and maintain a common policy on asylum, migration, and justice to ensure safety and uphold the rule of law.
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Promote European Values:
The promotion of values such as human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and respect for human rights within its member states and beyond.
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Strengthen the Global Role of the EU:
EU aims to strengthen its voice in international affairs, promote peace, security, and global development, and contribute to the effective multilateral system based on international law.
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Encourage Scientific and Technological Progress:
EU supports research and innovation to maintain and enhance its competitiveness and address societal challenges.
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Enhance Economic, Social, and Territorial Cohesion:
EU seeks to reduce disparities between various regions and ensure balanced development throughout the EU, fostering economic cohesion.
Functions of EU:
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Legislation and Regulation:
EU develops and enacts legislation in areas that affect its member states, such as environmental protection, consumer rights, transport, and competition laws. This helps to ensure uniformity across the single market.
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Economic Policy Coordination:
It coordinates economic policies among member states to ensure economic stability, promote growth, and avoid significant economic imbalances within the euro area and the wider EU.
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Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP):
EU conducts a common foreign and security policy, allowing member states to speak and act together on matters of foreign policy and security, including crisis management and conflict prevention.
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Justice and Home Affairs:
EU works to create an area of freedom, security, and justice, which includes cooperation in the fight against crime, terrorism, and managing migration and asylum policies.
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Internal Market:
It ensures the free movement of goods, services, capital, and people within the EU, which is one of the central pillars of the EU’s integration process.
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Trade Policy:
EU manages trade relations with non-EU countries and represents its member states in international trade negotiations, aiming to ensure fair and open trade.
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Agriculture and Fisheries Policies:
EU implements policies to ensure a stable, safe, and sustainable supply of food and to manage the fisheries sector while ensuring the sustainability of fish stocks.
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Regional and Cohesion Policy:
EU supports economic and social cohesion by reducing disparities between regions through funding infrastructure, business development, and job creation projects.
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Environmental Policy:
It develops policies and legislation to protect the environment, combat climate change, and promote sustainable development across member states and globally.
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Research and Innovation:
EU supports research and innovation through funding and programs like Horizon Europe, aiming to drive economic competitiveness and address societal challenges.
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Consumer Protection:
It enacts legislation and policies to protect the health, safety, and economic interests of European consumers.
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Monetary Policy (for Eurozone countries):
Through the European Central Bank (ECB), it manages monetary policy for the eurozone, including setting interest rates and controlling inflation.
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Education, Culture, and Youth Policies:
EU supports programs and initiatives to promote education, training, cultural exchange, and youth engagement across member states.
