European Union
According to europa online, the official web site of the European Union, the EU is "a family of democratic European countries, committed to working together for peace and prosperity. It is not a State intended to replace existing states, but it is more than any other international organisation. The EU is, in fact, unique. Its Member States have set up common institutions to which they delegate some of their sovereignty so that decisions on specific matters of joint interest can be made democratically at European level." [1]
"The rule of law is fundamental to the European Union. All EU decisions and procedures are based on the Treaties, which are agreed by all the EU countries.
"Initially, the EU consisted of just six countries: Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom joined in 1973, Greece in 1981, Spain and Portugal in 1986, Austria, Finland and Sweden in 1995.
"In 2004 the biggest ever enlargement takes place with 10 new countries joining."
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Estonia
- Hungary
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Malta
- Poland
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
"Applicant States"
- Bulgaria
- Romania
- Turkey
"Non-Member/Other European States"
- Albania
- Andorra
- Belarus
- Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Croatia
- Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
- Iceland
- Liechtenstein
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Norway
- Russia
- San Marino
- Serbia and Montenegro
- Switzerland
- Ukraine
- Vatican City
History
"The historical roots of the European Union lie in the Second World War. The idea of European integration was conceived to prevent such killing and destruction from ever happening again. It was first proposed by the French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman in a speech on 9 May 1950. This date, the 'birthday' of what is now the EU, is celebrated annually as Europe Day."[2]
- European Parliament (elected by the peoples of the Member States)
- Council of the European Union (representing the governments of the Member States); Javier Solana, Secretary-General
- European Commission (driving force and executive body)
- Court of Justice (ensuring compliance with the law)
- Court of Auditors (controlling sound and lawful management of the EU budget)
- European Economic and Social Committee (expresses the opinions of organised civil society on economic and social issues)
- Committee of the Regions (expresses the opinions of regional and local authorities)
- European Central Bank (responsible for monetary policy and managing the euro)
- European Ombudsman (deals with citizens' complaints about maladministration by any EU institution or body)
- European Investment Bank (helps achieve EU objectives by financing investment projects)
Other Related SourceWatch Resources
External Links
- United States Mission to the European Union web site.
- Western European Union web site.
Headlines
- European Union Stands Up to American Corporations, Pravda, May 10, 2003.
- EU Expansion Could Fan Drugs Problem, Report Says, Reuters, October 22, 2003: "The European Union's drug monitoring agency said in a report that the accession of the 10 mainly east European and former-Communist countries raised the prospect of increased drug trafficking and spread of infectious diseases."
