Tafelbild

Founding the EU

European Coal and Steel Community

• cooperation in industries of war: steel and coal
• Paris, 1951: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands

European Economic Community (EEC)

• success of European Coal and Steel community leads to common market
• no obstacles for exchange of money, business, jobs and trade

European Union (EU)

• many more members (today: 28) and areas of cooperation: infrastructure, environment etc.
  → changing the name from EEC to EU

What the European Union does today

• trying to make life easier
  → free movement within EU
  → single currency: euro
  → help for less wealthy member states and neighbouring countries
  → environmental and consumer protection etc.

How the European Union makes decisions

European Commission

• 28 Commissioners, represent Europe
• propose laws

European Parliament

• elected every 5 years, represents the citizens
• decides on laws with Council

The Council

• government ministers, represent EU countries

European Council

• leaders of European countries who set Europe’s general strategy

The Court of Justice

• makes sure that EU laws respect fundamental rights and
• that member states stick to EU laws

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