ABAYA GONZALES MIRANDA TENORIO VILLANUEVA

European
Union
 With the aim of ending the
frequent and bloody conflicts
that culminated in the Second
History World War, European politicians
began the process of building
what we know today as the
European Union.
 Origins of the EU
The Maastricht Treaty did
not create the EU all at once,
but rather was the result of
gradual integration
beginning in 1945.
After World War II, Europe
History was divided into
communist, Soviet-dominated
the

eastern bloc and the largely

democratic western nations.
The First Union: the ECSC
Europe's postwar nations were looking for more than just peace; they
were also looking for solutions to economic problems, such as raw
materials in one country and industry to process them in another.

July 23, 1952 - July 23, 2002 - In The Treaty of Paris, six neighboring
countries agreed to form a zone of free trade for several key
resources, including coal, steel, and iron ore, chosen for their
importance in industry and the military. The European Coal and Steel
Community (ECSC) was formed by Germany, Belgium, France, the
Netherlands, Italy, and Luxembourg.
The European Economic
Community
The ECSC's success led to the signing of two new treaties in 1957, both
known as the Treaty of Rome. This resulted in the formation of the
European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), which was to pool
atomic energy knowledge, and the European Economic Community
(EEC), which was to create a common market among members with no
tariffs or impediments to the flow of labor and goods.
 Development
During the 1970s and 1980s, the EEC expanded its membership,
accepting Denmark, Ireland, and the United Kingdom in 1973, Greece
in 1981, and Portugal and Spain in 1986. Britain changed its mind after
seeing its economic growth lag behind that of the EEC and after the
US indicated that it would support Britain as a rival voice in the EEC
to France and Germany. Ireland and Denmark, both heavily reliant on
the UK economy, followed suit in order to keep up and develop
independently of the UK. Norway submitted an application at the
same time, but withdrew after a referendum failed.
 The Maastricht Treaty and the
European Union
The Treaty on European Union, also known as the Maastricht Treaty,
was signed on February 7, 1992, taking European integration one step
further. This took effect on November 1, 1993, and transformed the
EEC into the newly named European Union.

Further Enlargement
Sweden, Austria, and Finland joined the EU in 1995, and the Treaty of
Amsterdam went into effect in 1999, bringing with it employment,
working and living conditions, and other social and legal issues.
 The Lisbon Treaty
In 2002, the Convention on the Future of Europe was established to
draft an EU constitution. The draft, signed in 2004, sought to establish
a permanent EU president, a foreign minister, and a rights charter. It
would also have given the EU the authority to make many more
decisions rather than the heads of the individual members. It was
rejected in 2005, after France and the Netherlands failed to ratify it
and before other EU members had the opportunity to vote on it.
 Members of EU today
(with year of joining):

1. Austria (1995) 1.6 Latvia (2004)

2. Belgium (1957) 17. Lithuania (2004)
3. Bulgaria (2007) 18. Luxembourg (1957)
4. Croatia (2013) 19. Malta (2004)
5. Cyprus (2004) 20. The Netherlands (1957)
6. Czech Republic (2004) 21. Poland (2004)
7. Denmark (1973) 22. Portugal (1986)
8. Estonia (2004) 23. Romania (2007)
9. Finland (1995) 24. Slovakia (2004)
10. France (1957) 25. Slovenia (2004)
11. Germany (1957) 26. Spain (1986)
12. Greece (1981) 27. Sweden (1995)
13. Hungary (2004) 28. United Kingdom (1973) - in the
14. Ireland (1973) process of withdrawing membership
15. Italy (1957)
 Membership
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 a functioning market economy the ability to take on and
democracy, the rule of law, and the capacity to cope with implement effectively the
human rights and respect for competition and market forces in obligations of membership,
and protection of minorities; the EU; including adherence to the aims
of political, economic and
monetary union.
 Leadership
The 3 main institutions of the EU are each headed
by a President.:

European Parliament President -

Roles:
Ensures parliamentary procedures are properly
followed.
Oversees Parliament's various activities and
committees
Represents Parliament in all legal matters and
in its international relations
Gives final assent to the EU budget
 European Council
President

Leads the European Council's work in setting

the EU's general political direction and
priorities – in cooperation with the Commission
Promotes cohesion and consensus within the
European Council
Represents the EU externally on foreign and
security issues
European Commission
President

Gives political guidance to the Commission

Calls and chairs meetings of the college of the
Commissioners
Leads the Commission's work in implementing
EU policies
Takes part in G7 meetings
Contributes to major debates both in the
European Parliament and between EU
governments in the Council of the European
Union
 Activities

Green Deal Digital Age Economy

Transforming the EU into Embracing digital transformation Strengthening the EU
a modern, resource- for by investing in businesses, economy
efficient and competitive research and innovation, reforming
economy data protection

Stronger Europe Way of Life Democracy

Strengthening the EU’s Upholding fundamental rights and Strengthening
voice on the world stage the rule of law as a bastion of Europe’s democratic
equality, tolerance and social processes by
fairness. deepening relations
Key achievements
Since 1957, the European
Union has achieved great
things for its citizens and
the world:
a continent at peace
freedom for its citizens
to live, study or work
anywhere in the EU
the world’s biggest
single market
aid and development
assistance for millions of
people worldwide
Opportunities
Peace and Stability
Single Market
Citizen’s rights and
protection
Charter of fundamental
rights
Employment rights
Digital rights
Consumer rights
Business, growth, and trade
Food quality and
environmental standards
International diplomacy
and development
REFERENCES:
Conditions for membership (europa.eu)
History of the EU (europa.eu)
Conditions for membership (europa.eu)
Achievements (europa.eu)
The History of the European Union
(thoughtco.com)
https://european-
union.europa.eu/priorities-and-actions/eu-
priorities_en