The European flag symbolizes both the European Union and, more

broadly, the identity and unity of Europe.

It features a circle of 12 gold stars on a blue background. They
stand for the ideals of unity, solidarity and harmony among the peoples
of Europe.
The number of stars has nothing to do with the number of member
countries, though the circle is a symbol of unity.

1. The EU Council sets the policies, general objectives and priorities,

proposes laws. The political leadership, or Presidency of the EU, is
held by a different leader every six months. Based in Brussels.
2. The European Parliament debates and approves the laws proposed
by the Council. Its members are elected every five years. Based in
Strasbourg, meets in Brussels.
3. The European Commission staffs and executes the laws,
administrates the budget, negotiate international agreements. Jean-
Claude Juncker is the President until 2019. (Negotiate internationally
and represents EU). Based in Brussels.

The European Single Market, Internal Market or Common Market is

market that guarantees the free movement of goods, capital, services,
and labor – the "four freedoms" – within the European Union.
“In the EU’s single market (sometimes also called the internal market),
people, goods, services, and money can move around the EU as freely as
within a single country.” – European Commission
Free movement of goods – no taxation, no custom tariffs
Once a product has been produced and put on market in a Member
State it can be sold in the whole EU.
Free movement of goods means that countries of the European Union
must not impose any kind of duties on goods produced in the EU when
crossing borders and neither goods produced in third country once imported
to the EU. These latter also have to be considered as goods of free
circulation within the EU. That is why you can choose from a wide variety of
products from different countries in the supermarket, from Spanish chorizo
till Norwegian salmon.
The free movement of persons means EU citizens can move freely
between member states to live, work, study or retire in another country.
Free movement of capital and payments.
Cross-border capital transactions – such as purchase of currency,
buying real estate, company shares and loans, operation in accounts,
financial assets, or foreign direct investment – cannot be limited.
As a European citizen, you can conduct several financial operations:
opening bank accounts, buying real estate and company shares, or investing
in any of the Member States. Also companies can invest in and own other
firms, manage affiliates in other Member States, raising money where it is
the cheapest and creating jobs.

The Schengen Area

The Schengen Area guarantees free movement to those legally

residing within its boundaries. Residents and visitors can cross borders
without getting visas or showing their passports. In total, there are 26
members of the Schengen Area. They are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands,
Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and
Switzerland.

Two EU countries (Ireland and the UK) have declined the Schengen
benefits. Four non-EU countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and
Switzerland) that have adopted the Schengen Agreement. Three territories
are special members of the EU and part of the Schengen Area: the Azores,
Madeira, and the Canary Islands.

Three countries have open borders with the Schengen Area: Monaco,
San Marino, and Vatican City.
 The Eurozone (euro area)

The euro is the common currency for the EU area. It is the second most
commonly held currency in the world, after the U.S. dollar. It replaced the
Italian lira, the French franc, and the German Deutschmark.

The Eurozone consists of all countries that use the euro. All EU
members pledge to convert to the euro, but only 19 have so far. They are
Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal,
Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain. The Eurozone was created in 2005.

Conditions for membership

The EU operates comprehensive approval procedures that ensure new
members are admitted only when they can demonstrate they will be able to
play their part fully as members, namely by:

 complying with all the EU's standards and rules

 having the consent of the EU institutions and EU member states
 having the consent of their citizens – as expressed through approval
in their national parliament or by referendum.
Membership criteria – Who can join?
The Treaty on the European Union states that any European country may
apply for membership if it respects the democratic values of the EU and is
committed to promoting them.
The first step is for the country to meet the key criteria for accession.
These were mainly defined at the European Council in Copenhagen in 1993
and are hence referred to as 'Copenhagen criteria'. Countries wishing to join
need to have:

 stable institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human

rights and respect for and protection of minorities;
 a functioning market economy and the capacity to cope with
competition and market forces in the EU;
 the ability to take on and implement effectively the obligations of
membership, including adherence to the aims of political, economic
and monetary union.
 Candidate countries
These countries are in the process of 'transposing' (or integrating) EU
legislation into national law:

 Albania
 Montenegro
 Serbia
 The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
 Turkey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO4Ayo4mYZg EUROMANIA