European Union (EU)

What is European Union (EU)?
Main Treaties of European Union (EU).
Main organs of European Union (EU).

EU

The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 28 member states that are located primarily in Europe. The EU has developed an internal single market through a standardised system of laws that apply in all member states. EU policies aim to ensure the free movement of people, goods, services, and capital within the internal market, enact legislation in justice and home affairs, and maintain common policies on trade, agriculture, fisheries, and regional development. Within the Schengen Area, passport controls have been abolished. A monetary union was established in 1999 and came into full force in 2002, and is composed of 19 EU member states which use the euro currency.

Treaties of European Union (EU)

Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community

Signed: 18 April 1951

Entered into force: 23 July 1952

Expired: 23 July 2002

Purpose: to create interdependence in coal and steel so that one country could no longer mobilise its armed forces without others knowing. This eased distrust and tensions after WWII. The ECSC treaty expired in 2002.

Treaties of Rome : EEC and EURATOM treaties

Signed: 25 March 1957

Entered into force: 1 January 1958

Purpose: to set up the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom).

Main changes: extension of European integration to include general economic cooperation.

Merger Treaty - Brussels Treaty

Signed: 8 April 1965

Entered into force: 1 July 1967

Purpose: to streamline the European institutions.

Main changes: creation of a single Commission and a single Council to serve the then three European Communities (EEC, Euratom, ECSC). Repealed by the Treaty of Amsterdam.

Single European Act

Signed: 17 February 1986 (Luxembourg) / 28 February 1986 (The Hague)

Entered into force: 1 July 1987

Purpose: to reform the institutions in preparation for Portugal and Spain's membership and speed up decision-making in preparation for the single market.

Main changes: extension of qualified majority voting in the Council (making it harder for a single country to veto proposed legislation), creation of the cooperation and assent procedures, giving Parliament more influence.

Treaty on European Union - Maastricht Treaty

Signed: 7 February 1992

Entered into force: 1 November 1993

Purpose: to prepare for European Monetary Union and introduce elements of a political union (citizenship, common foreign and internal affairs policy).

Main changes: establishment of the European Union and introduction of the co-decision procedure, giving Parliament more say in decision-making. New forms of cooperation between EU governments – for example on defence and justice and home affairs

Treaty of Amsterdam

Signed: 2 October 1997

Entered into force: 1 May 1999

Purpose: To reform the EU institutions in preparation for the arrival of future member countries.

Main changes: amendment, renumbering and consolidation of EU and EEC treaties. More transparent decision-making (increased use of the ordinary legislative procedure).

Treaty of Nice

Signed: 26 February 2001

Entered into force: 1 February 2003

Purpose: to reform the institutions so that the EU could function efficiently after reaching 25 member countries.

Main changes: methods for changing the composition of the Commission and redefining the voting system in the Council.

Main Organs of EU

    European Parliament

    European Council

    Council of the European Union

    European Commission

    Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU)

    European Central Bank (ECB)

    European Court of Auditors (ECA)

    European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)

    European Committee of the Regions (CoR)

    European Investment Bank (EIB)