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| {{redirect|EU}} | |||
| {{Infobox Geopolitical organization | |||
| |native_name = {{Collapsible list|title=<center>European Union<center>|<center>{{lang|bg|''Европейски съюз''}} {{bg icon}}<br />{{lang|cs|''Evropská unie''}} {{cs icon}}<br />{{lang|da|''Den Europæiske Union''}} {{da icon}}<br />{{lang|nl|''Europese Unie''}} {{nl icon}}<br />{{lang|et|''Euroopa Liit''}} {{et icon}}<br />{{lang|fi|''Euroopan unioni''}} {{fi icon}}<br />{{lang|fr|''Union européenne''}} {{fr icon}}<br />{{lang|de|''Europäische Union''}} {{de icon}}<br />{{lang|el|''Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση''}} {{el icon}}<br />{{lang|hu|''Európai Unió''}} {{hu icon}}<br />{{lang|ga|''An tAontas Eorpach''}} {{ga icon}}<br />{{lang|it|''Unione Europea''}} {{it icon}}<br />{{lang|lv|''Eiropas Savienība''}} {{lv icon}}<br />{{lang|lt|''Europos Sąjunga''}} {{lt icon}}<br />{{lang|mt|''L-Unjoni Ewropea''}} {{mt icon}}<br />{{lang|pl|''Unia Europejska''}} {{pl icon}}<br />{{lang|pt|''União Europeia''}} {{pt icon}}<br />{{lang|ro|''Uniunea Europeană''}} {{ro icon}}<br />{{lang|sk|''Európska únia''}} {{sk icon}}<br />{{lang|sl|''Evropska unija''}} {{sl icon}}<br />{{lang|es|''Unión Europea''}} {{es icon}}<br />{{lang|sv|''Europeiska unionen''}} {{sv icon}}</center>}} | |||
| |linking_name = the European Union | |||
| |image_flag = Flag of Europe.svg | |||
| |image_coat = French European Union presidency 2008.svg | |||
| |symbol_width = 95px | |||
| |symbol_type = Presidency insignia | |||
| |motto = ]<ref name="EU-Symbols">{{cite web| title = Symbols of the EU| url = http://europa.eu/abc/symbols/index_en.htm| publisher=]| accessdate = 2008-01-09}}</ref>{{spaces|1}}<br />{{lang|la|'']''}}{{spaces|1}}<small>(])<br />"Concord in variety"</small> | |||
| |anthem = '']''<ref name="EU-Symbols"/>{{spaces|1}}<small>(]){{spaces|1}}<small>(orchestral)</small><br />"Ode to Joy"</small> | |||
| |linking_name = the European Union | |||
| |image_map = Location European Union.svg | |||
| |map_caption = Location of European Union member states | |||
| |map_width = 280px | |||
| |admin_center_type = ] | |||
| |admin_center = {{flagicon|Belgium}} ]<br />{{flagicon|France}} ]<br />{{flagicon|Luxembourg}} ]<br /> | |||
| |largest_metropolitan_area = ] | |||
| |languages_type = ]s | |||
| |languages = {{Collapsible list |title=] |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |]}} | |||
| |membership_type = ] | |||
| |membership = {{Collapsible list |title=] |{{flag|Austria}} |{{flag|Belgium}} |{{flag|Bulgaria}} |{{flag|Cyprus}} |{{flag|Czech Republic}} |{{flag|Denmark}} |{{flag|Estonia}} |{{flag|Finland}} |{{flag|France}} |{{flag|Germany}} |{{flag|Greece}} |{{flag|Hungary}} |{{flag|Republic of Ireland}} |{{flag|Italy}} |{{flag|Latvia}} |{{flag|Lithuania}} |{{flag|Luxembourg}} |{{flag|Malta}} |{{flag|Netherlands}} |{{flag|Poland}} |{{flag|Portugal}} |{{flag|Romania}} |{{flag|Slovakia}} |{{flag|Slovenia}} |{{flag|Spain}} |{{flag|Sweden}} |{{flag|United Kingdom}} }} | |||
| |ethnic_groups = | |||
| |ethnic_groups_year = | |||
| |demonym = ]<ref>''The ]'', Second Edn., ] (editor), 2051 pages, May 2005, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-517077-6.</ref> | |||
| |government_type = ] | |||
| |leader_title1 = ] | |||
| |leader_name1 = {{flagicon|Portugal}} ] <sup><small>]</small></sup> | |||
| |leader_title2 = ] | |||
| |leader_name2 = {{flagicon|Germany}} ] <sup><small>]</small></sup> | |||
| |leader_title3 = ] | |||
| |leader_name3 = {{flag|France}} | |||
| |leader_title4 = ] | |||
| |leader_name4 = {{flagicon|France}} ] <sup><small>]</small></sup> | |||
| |sovereignty_type = ] | |||
| |sovereignty_note = | |||
| |established_event1 = ] | |||
| |established_date1 = 18 April 1951 | |||
| |established_event2 = ] | |||
| |established_date2 = 25 March 1957 | |||
| |established_event3 = ] | |||
| |established_date3 = 7 February 1992 | |||
| |area_rank = <!--For comparison only, rank order non sensical please do not add--> | |||
| |area_magnitude = 1 E12 | |||
| |area_km2 = 4,324,782 | |||
| |area_sq_mi = 1,669,807 <!--Do not remove per ]--> | |||
| |percent_water = 3.08 | |||
| |population_estimate = 499,021,851 | |||
| |population_estimate_rank = <!--For comparison only, rank order non sensical please do not add-- | |||
| |population_estimate_year = 2008 | |||
| |population_census = | |||
| |population_census_year = | |||
| |population_density_km2 = 114<!--494,070,000 / 4,324,782 = 114 people/km2 (figures are those used in infobox on 21 August 2007 (2007 figures)--> | |||
| |population_density_sq_mi = 289 <!--Do not remove per ]--> | |||
| |population_density_rank = <!--For comparison only, rank order non sensical please do not add--> | |||
| |GDP_PPP = $14.712 trillion | |||
| |GDP_PPP_rank = <!--For comparison only, rank order non sensical please do not add--> | |||
| |GDP_PPP_year = 2007 (]) | |||
| |GDP_PPP_per_capita = $28,213<!--2006 figure, anyone have 2007 or 2008? --> | |||
| |GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = | |||
| |GDP_nominal = $16.830 trillion | |||
| |GDP_nominal_rank = <!--For comparison only, rank order non sensical please do not add--> | |||
| |GDP_nominal_year = 2007 (]) | |||
| |GDP_nominal_per_capita = $33,482<!--2007--> | |||
| |GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = | |||
| |HDI = | |||
| |HDI_rank = | |||
| |HDI_year = | |||
| |HDI_category = | |||
| |currency = {{Collapsible list |title=] |Euro (€) <code>(])</code> ('']'') | |||
| |---- |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |]}} | |||
| |currency_code = | |||
| |time_zone = | |||
| |utc_offset = +0 to +2 | |||
| |time_zone_DST-BST-GMT = | |||
| |DST_note = | |||
| |utc_offset_DST = +1 to +3 | |||
| |cctld = ] | |||
| |calling_code = | |||
| |footnote1 = | |||
| }} | |||
| The '''European Union''' ('''EU''') is a political and economic union of twenty-seven ], located primarily <!-- please do not remove this. Parts of Spain and France are outside Europe, and the geographical location of Cyprus is not clear. This word has been extensively discussed .-->in ]. | |||
| It was established by the ] in 1993 upon the foundations of the pre-existing ]. With almost 500 million citizens, the EU combined generates an estimated 30% share of the world's nominal ] (]16.8 trillion in 2007).<ref name="GDP IMF"/> The EU developed a ] through a system of laws which apply in all member states, guaranteeing the ].<ref name="Europa Internal Market">{{cite web |title=The EU Single Market: Fewer barriers, more opportunities |publisher=], European Commission |url=http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/index_en.htm |accessdate=2007-09-27}} {{cite web|title=Activities of the European Union: Internal Market |publisher=]|url=http://europa.eu/pol/singl/index_en.htm |accessdate=2007-06-29}}</ref> It maintains a common trade policy,<ref>{{cite web |title=Common commercial policy |url=http://europa.eu/scadplus/glossary/commercial_policy_en.htm |work=Europa Glossery |publisher=] |accessdate=2008-09-06}}</ref> ] and ] policies,<ref>{{cite web |publisher=The Council of the European Union |title=Agriculture and Fisheries Council |url=http://www.consilium.eu.int/cms3_fo/showPage.asp?id=414&lang=en&mode=g |accessdate=2008-09-06}}</ref> and a ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Overview of the European Union activities: Regional Policy |url=http://europa.eu/pol/reg/overview_en.htm |publisher=] |accessdate=2008-09-06}}</ref> Fifteen member states have adopted a common currency, the ]. It has developed a role in ], representing its members in the ], at ] summits and at the ]. Twenty-one EU countries are members of ]. It has developed a role in justice and home affairs, including the abolition of passport control between many member states under the ].<ref name="Internal borders"> {{cite web|title=Abolition of internal borders and creation of a single EU external frontier|publisher=]|year=2005|url=http://ec.europa.eu/justice_home/fsj/freetravel/frontiers/fsj_freetravel_schengen_en.htm|accessdate=2007-01-24}}</ref> | |||
| The EU operates through a hybrid system of ] and ]. In certain areas it depends upon agreement between the member states. However, it also has supranational bodies, able to make decisions without the agreement of all national governments. Important institutions and bodies of the EU include the ], the ], the ], the ], the ] and the ]. ] elect the Parliament every five years. The EU traces its origin back to the ] formed by six countries in ], and the ], ] in ]. | |||
| Since then the EU has grown and grown in size through the accession of brand new members (such as Bulgaria and Romania in 2007) and has increased its powers by the addition of new policy areas to its remit. | |||
| ==History== | |||
| {{main|History of the European Union}} | |||
| ] ] the ] in 1950]] | |||
| After the end of the ] the political climate favoured the unification of Europe. It was seen by many as an escape from the extreme forms of ] which had devastated the continent.<ref>{{cite web |title=The political consequences |publisher=] |url=http://www.ena.lu/?doc=242&lang=3 |accessdate=2007-09-05}}</ref> One such attempt to unite Europeans was the ] which while having the modest aim of centralised control of the previously national coal and steel industries of its member states was declared to be "a first step in the federation of Europe".<ref>{{cite web |title=Declaration of 9 May 1950 |url=http://europa.eu/abc/symbols/9-may/decl_en.htm |publisher=European Commission |accessdate=2007-09-05}}</ref> The founding members of the Community were ], ], ], ], ] and ].<ref name="Europa History 45-59">{{cite web |title=A peaceful Europe - the beginnings of cooperation |publisher=European Commission |url=http://europa.eu/abc/history/1945-1959/index_en.htm |accessdate=2007-06-25}}</ref> | |||
| Two additional communities were created in 1957: the ] (EEC) establishing a ] and the ] (Euratom) for cooperation in developing ].<ref name="Europa History 45-59"/> In 1967 the ] created a single set of institutions for the three communities, which were collectively referred to as the ''European Communities'', although more commonly just as the '']'' (EC).<ref name="ENA Merge">{{cite web |title=Merging the executives |publisher=] |url=http://www.ena.lu?lang=2&doc=473 |accessdate=2007-06-25}}</ref> | |||
| ] created the ].]] | |||
| In 1973 the Communities enlarged to include ], ] and the ].<ref name="ENA First enlargement">{{cite web |title=The first enlargement |publisher=] |url=http://www.ena.lu?lang=2&doc=555 |accessdate=2007-06-25}}</ref> ] had negotiated to join at the same time but a referendum rejected membership and so it remained outside. In 1979 the ] to the European Parliament were held.<ref name="ENA New Parliament">{{cite web |title=The new European Parliament |publisher=] |url=http://www.ena.lu?lang=2&doc=571 |accessdate=2007-06-25}}</ref> | |||
| ], ] and ] joined in the 1980s.<ref name="ENA Enlargement negotiations">{{cite web |title=Negotiations for enlargement |publisher=] |url=http://www.ena.lu?lang=2&doc=6525 |accessdate=2007-06-25}}</ref> In 1985 the ] created largely ] without ] controls between most member states.<ref name="Europa History 90-99">{{cite web |title=A Europe without frontiers |publisher=] |url=http://europa.eu/abc/history/1990-1999/index_en.htm |accessdate=2007-06-25}}</ref> In 1986 the ] began to be used by the EC and leaders signed the ]. | |||
| ]'s fall enabled eastward ]. (])]] | |||
| In 1990, after the fall of the ], the former ] became part of the Community as part of a newly united Germany.<ref name="Europa History 80-89">{{cite web |title=1980-1989 The changing face of Europe - the fall of the Berlin Wall |publisher=]| url=http://europa.eu/abc/history/1980-1989/index_en.htm |accessdate=2007-06-25}}</ref> With enlargement toward ] on the agenda, the ] for candidate members to join the European Union were agreed. | |||
| The European Union was formally established when the ] came into force on 1 November 1993.<ref>{{cite web |title=Treaty of Maastricht on European Union |url=http://europa.eu/scadplus/treaties/maastricht_en.htm |work=Activities of the European Union |publisher=]| accessdate=2007-10-20}}; {{cite book |last=Craig |first=Paul |coauthors=Grainne De Burca , P. P. Craig |title=EU Law: Text, Cases and Materials |edition = 4th ed. |year = 2006 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location = Oxford |isbn=978-0-19-927389-8 |pages=p15 }}</ref> and in 1995 ], ] and ] joined the newly established EU. In 2002, ] notes and coins replaced national currencies in 12 of the member states. Since then, the ] has increased to encompassing fifteen countries. In 2004, the EU saw its biggest enlargement to date when Malta, Cyprus, Slovenia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary joined the Union.<ref name="Europa History 00">{{cite web |title=A decade of further expansion |publisher=] |url=http://europa.eu/abc/history/2000_today/index_en.htm |accessdate=2007-06-25}}</ref> | |||
| On 1 January 2007, ] and ] became the EU's newest members and ] adopted the euro.<ref name="Europa History 00"/> In December of that year European leaders signed the ] which was intended to replace the earlier, failed ], which never came into force after being rejected by French and Dutch voters. However, uncertainty clouds the prospects of the latter treaty's coming into force as result of its ] in June 2008. | |||
| ===Treaties=== | |||
| {{EU evolvement timeline}} | |||
| ==Member states== | |||
| {{main|European Union member state|Enlargement of the European Union}} | |||
| {{European Union Labelled Map (blue)}} | |||
| The European Union is composed of 27 ] ] ] which are known as member states: ], ], ], ], the ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], the ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and the ].<ref>{{cite web |title=European Countries |url=http://europa.eu/abc/european_countries/index_en.htm |publisher=] |accessdate=2007-09-05}}</ref> | |||
| There are three official candidate countries, ], the former Yugoslav ], and ]; the western Balkan countries of ], ], ], and ] are officially recognised as potential candidates.<ref name="Europa Enlargement">{{cite web |title=European Commission - Enlargement - Candidate and Potential Candidate Countries |publisher= ] |url=http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/countries/index_en.htm |accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref> ] has been granted similar status.<ref name="EU Council on Kosovo">{{cite web |title=EU/Kosovo Factsheet |publisher= European Union - Delegation of the European Commission to the United States|url=http://www.consilium.europa.eu/ueDocs/cms_Data/docs/pressData/en/gena/98770.pdf |accessdate=2007-03-27|format=PDF}}</ref> | |||
| To join the EU, a country must meet the ], defined at the 1993 ] European Council. These require a stable democracy which respects ] and the ]; a functioning market economy capable of competition within the EU; and the acceptance of the obligations of membership, including EU law. Evaluation of a country's fulfillment of the criteria is the responsibility of the ].<ref name="Accession Criteria">{{cite web |title=Accession criteria (Copenhagen criteria) |publisher=] |url=http://europa.eu/scadplus/glossary/accession_criteria_copenhague_en.htm |accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref> The current framework does not specify how a country could exit the Union (although ] withdrew in 1985), but the proposed ] contains a formal procedure for withdrawing. | |||
| Four Western European countries that have chosen not to join the EU have partly committed to the EU's economy and regulations: ], ], and ] are a part of the ] through the ], and ] has similar ties through ] treaties.<ref name="EEA"/><ref name="CH">{{cite web |title=The EU's relations with Switzerland|publisher=] |url=http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/switzerland/intro/index.htm |accessdate=2007-09-16}}</ref> The relationships of the ] ], ], ], ], and ] include the use of the ] and other co-operation.<ref name="euro use world"/> | |||
| ===Geography=== | |||
| {{main|Geography of the European Union}} | |||
| ] in the ] is the highest peak in the EU.]] | |||
| The territory of the EU consists of the combined territories of its 27 member states with some exceptions outlined below. The territory of the EU is not the same as that of ], as parts of the continent are outside the EU, such as ], ], ], and European ]. Some parts of member countries are not part of the EU, despite forming part of the European continent (for example the ] and ]). Several territories associated with member states that are outside geographic Europe are also not part of the EU (such as ], ], the ], and all the non-European territories associated with the ]). Some ] are part of the EU even if they are not geographically part of Europe, such as the ], the ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ].<ref name="Amsterdam">{{cite web|title=Treaty of Amsterdam|publisher=] |author=]: Official Journal|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/treaties/dat/11997D/htm/11997D.html|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-29}}</ref><ref name="Consolidated Treaties">{{cite web|title=Consolidated Treaties on European Union and establishing the European Community|publisher=]|author=]|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2006:321E:0001:0331:EN:pdf|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-25}}</ref><ref name="ECB where euro">{{cite web|title=Where is the euro legal tender?|publisher=]|year=2006|url=http://www.ecb.int/bc/faqbc/circulation/html/index.en.html#q2|format=PDF|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-25}}</ref> | |||
| ]line. (])]] | |||
| The EU's member states cover a combined area of {{convert|4422773|km2|sqmi|0}}.<ref name="Area.and.population.figure">Figure including the four ] (], ], ], ]) which are an integral part of the EU, but excluding the ] and ], which are not part of the EU.</ref> The total territory of the EU is larger than all but ] and its highest peak is ] in the ] ], 4807 metres above sea level. The landscape, climate, and economy of the EU are influenced by its coastline, which is {{convert|69342|km|mi|0}} long. The EU has the world's second longest coastline, after ]. The combined member states share ] with 21 non-member states for a total of {{convert|12441|km|mi|0}}, the fifth longest border in the world.<ref name="Europa Members">{{cite web|title=European countries|publisher=]|year=2007|url=http://europa.eu/abc/european_countries/index_en.htm|accessdate=2007-06-29}}</ref><ref name="CIA">{{cite web|title=European Union|publisher= ]|work=]|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ee.html|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-08-08}}</ref><ref name="Longest coasts">{{cite web|title=Countries of the Earth|publisher=home.comcast.net|year=2006|url=http://home.comcast.net/~igpl/Countries.html|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-08-08}}<!--If anyone has a more academic source, please replace this--></ref> | |||
| Including the overseas territories of member states, the EU experiences most ] from ] to ], rendering meteorological averages for the EU as a whole meaningless. In practice, the majority of the population lives either in areas with a ] (Southern Europe), a temperate ] (Western Europe), or a warm summer continental or ] climate (Eastern Europe).<ref name="Humid Continental climate">{{cite web|title=Humid Continental Climate| work=The physical environment| publisher=]| year=2007|url=http://www.uwsp.edu/geo/faculty/ritter/geog101/textbook/climate_systems/humid_continental.html|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-29}}</ref> | |||
| ==Governance== | |||
| {{main|Politics of the European Union}} | |||
| ] rotates semi-annually and is currently led by France.]] | |||
| The EU is often described as being divided into three areas of responsibility, called '']''. The original European Community policies form the first pillar, while the second consists of ]. The third pillar originally consisted of Justice and Home Affairs, however owing to changes introduced by the Amsterdam and Nice treaties, it currently only consists of ]. Broadly speaking, the second and third pillars can be described as the intergovernmental pillars because the supranational institutions of the Commission, Parliament and the Court of Justice play less of a role or none at all, while the lead is taken by the intergovernmental Council of Ministers and the European Council. Most activities of the EU come under the first, Community pillar. This is mostly economically oriented and the supranational institutions have more influence.<ref name="Glossary Pillars">{{cite web |title=Pillars of the European Union |publisher=] |url=http://europa.eu/scadplus/glossary/eu_pillars_en.htm |accessdate=2007-06-27}}</ref> | |||
| ] ]]] | |||
| The activities of the EU are regulated by a number of institutions and bodies. They carry out the tasks and policies set out for them in the treaties. The EU receives its political leadership from the ], which is composed of one representative per member state — either its ] or ] — plus the ]. Each member states' representative is assisted its ]. The Council uses its leadership role to sort out disputes which have arisen between member states and the institutions, and to resolve political crises and disagreements over controversial issues and policies. | |||
| The Council is headed by a ], with every member state taking the helm of the EU for a period of six months during which that country's representatives chair meetings of the European Council and the Council of Ministers. The member state holding the presidency typically uses it to drive a particular policy agenda such as economic reform, reform of the EU itself, enlargement or furthering European integration. The Council usually meet four times a year at European Summits. | |||
| The European Council should not be mistaken for the ], an international organisation independent from the EU. | |||
| ===Institutions=== | |||
| {{Main|Institutions of the European Union}} | |||
| ] in ] houses the ].]] | |||
| The ] acts as the EU's ] and is responsible for ] and the day-to-day running of the EU. It is intended to act solely in the interest of the EU as a whole, as opposed to the Council which consists of leaders of member states who reflect national interests. The commission is also seen as the motor of ]. It is currently composed of 27 ] for different areas of policy, one from each member state. The ] and all the other commissioners are nominated by the Council. Appointment of the Commission President, and also the Commission in its entirety, have to be confirmed by Parliament.<ref name="Europa Institutions Commission">{{cite web |title=Institutions: The European Commission |publisher=] |url=http://europa.eu/institutions/inst/comm/index_en.htm |accessdate=2007-06-25}}</ref> | |||
| ] of the Parliament's ] in Strasbourg]] | |||
| The ] forms one half of the EU's ]. The 785 ] (MEPs) are directly elected by ] every five years. Although MEPs are elected on a national basis, they sit according to ] rather than their nationality. Each country has a set number of seats. The Parliament and the Council form and pass legislation jointly, using ], in certain areas of policy. This procedure will extend to many new areas under the proposed ], and hence increase the power and relevance of the Parliament. The Parliament also has the power to reject or censure the Commission and the EU budget. The ] carries out the role of ] in parliament and represents it externally. The president and vice presidents are elected by MEPs every two and a half years.<ref name="Europa Institutions Parliament">{{cite web |title=Institutions: The European Parliament |publisher=]|url=http://europa.eu/institutions/inst/parliament/index_en.htm |accessdate=2007-06-25}}</ref> | |||
| The ] forms the other half of the EU's ]. It is an organised platform where national ministers responsible for the area of policy being addressed, meet. Although the Council meets in different compositions, it is considered to be one single body.<ref name="Europa Institutions Council">{{cite web |title=Institutions: The Council of the European Union |publisher=] |url=http://europa.eu/institutions/inst/council/index_en.htm |accessdate=2007-06-25}}</ref> In addition to its legislative functions, the Council also exercises executive functions in relations to the ]. | |||
| The judicial branch of the EU consists of the ] (ECJ) and the ]. Together they interpret and apply the treaties and the law of the EU.<ref name="art220 Rome"> {{cite web |title=European Community consolidated treaty, (article 220, The court of Justice) |url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2006/ce321/ce32120061229en00010331.pdf |publisher=]| author=] |accessdate=2007-11-08|format=PDF}}</ref> The Court of First Instance mainly deals with cases taken by individuals and companies directly before the EU's courts, and the ECJ primarily deals with cases taken by member states, the institutions and cases referred to the EU's courts by the courts of member states.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Court of Justice of the European Communities |url=http://curia.europa.eu/en/instit/presentationfr/cje.htm |publisher=] |accessdate=2007-09-14}};{{cite web |title=The Court of First Instance |url=http://curia.europa.eu/en/instit/presentationfr/tpi.htm |publisher=]|accessdate=2007-09-14}}; {{cite web |title=Institutions: Court of Justice |publisher=] |url=http://europa.eu/institutions/inst/justice/index_en.htm |accessdate=2007-06-25}}</ref> Decisions from the Court of First Instance can be appealed to the Court of Justice but only on a point of law.<ref name="art225(1) Rome"> {{cite web |title=European Community consolidated treaty, (article 225 (1), The court of First Instance) |url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2006/ce321/ce32120061229en00010331.pdf |publisher=]| author=] |accessdate=2007-11-08|format=PDF}}</ref> | |||
| ===Legal system=== | |||
| {{see|Law of the European Union|Treaties of the European Union|European Union legislative procedure}} | |||
| The EU is based on a series of treaties. These first established the European Community and the EU, and then made amendments to those founding treaties.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sources of EU law |url=http://ec.europa.eu/ireland/general_information/legal_information_and_eu_law/sources_eu_law/index_en.htm |publisher=European Commission |accessdate=2007-09-05}}</ref> These are power giving treaties which set broad policy goals and establish institutions with the necessary legal powers to implement those goals. These legal powers include the ability to enact legislation<ref name="art249">{{cite web |title=European Union consolidated treaty, (article 249, provisions for making regulations) |url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2006/ce321/ce32120061229en00010331.pdf |publisher=European Commission|accessdate=2007-11-08|format=PDF}}</ref> which can directly affect all member states and their inhabitants.<ref name="Direct Effect">According to the principle of ] first invoked in the Court of Justice's decision in {{cite court|litigants=Van Gend en Loos v. Nederlanse Administratie Der Belastingen |reporter=Eur-Lex |court=European Court of Justice |year=1963 |url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:61962J0026:EN:HTML}}. See: Craig and de Búrca, ch. 5.</ref> National courts are required to enforce the treaties that their member states have ratified, and thus the laws enacted under them, even if doing so requires them to ignore conflicting national law, and (within limits) even constitutional provisions.<ref name="Supremacy">According to the principle of ] as established by the ECJ in Case 6/64, ''Falminio Costa v. ENEL'' ECR 585. See Craig and de Búrca, ch. 7. See also: 1 AC 603'']], ''Solange II'' (''Re Wuensche Handelsgesellschaft'', BVerfG decision of 22 Oct. 1986 3 CMLR 225,265) and ''Frontini v. Ministero delle Finanze'' 2 CMLR 372; ''Raoul George Nicolo'' 1 CMLR 173.</ref> | |||
| ] in ] can judge member states over EU law.]] | |||
| The main legislative acts of the EU come in two forms: ]s and ]s. Regulations become law in all member states the moment they come into force, without the requirement for any implementing measures,<ref>See: Case 34/73, ''Variola v. Amministrazione delle Finanze'' ECR 981</ref> and automatically override conflicting domestic provisions.<ref name="art249"/> Directives require member states to achieve a certain result while leaving them discretion as to how to achieve the result. The details of how they are to be implemented are left to member states.<ref>To do otherwise would require the drafting of legislation which would have to cope with the frequently divergent legal systems and administrative systems of all of the now 27 member states. See Craig and de Búrca, p. 115</ref> When the time limit for implementing directives passes, they may, under certain conditions, have ] in national law against Member States. ] offer an alternative to the two above modes of legislation. They are legal acts which only apply to specified individuals or companies. They are most often used in Competition Law, or on rulings on State Aid, but are also frequently used for procedural or administrative matters within the institutions. Regulations, directives and decisions are of equal legal value and apply without any formal hierarchy. | |||
| One of the complicating features of the EU's legal system is the multiplicity of legislative procedures used to enact legislation. The treaties micro-manage the EU's powers, indicating different ways of adopting legislation for different policy areas and for different areas within the same policy areas.<ref>For a good example of this see Title IV of Part Three of the Treaty of Rome, Council Decision (2004/927/EC) of 22 December 2004 providing for certain areas covered by Title IV of Part Three of the Treaty establishing the European Community to be governed by the procedure laid down in Article 251 of that Treaty and the Protocol on Article 67 of the Treaty establishing the European Community attached to the Nice Treaty.</ref> A common feature of the EU's legislative procedures, however, is that almost all legislation must be initiated by the Commission, rather than member states or European parliamentarians.<ref>{{cite web |title=Decision-making in the European Union |url=http://europa.eu/institutions/decision-making /index_en.htm |accessdate=2007-09-14}}. See: ].</ref> The two most common procedures are co-decision, under which the European Parliament can veto proposed legislation, and consultation, under which Parliament is only permitted to give an opinion which can be ignored by European leaders. In most cases legislation must be agreed by the council.<ref name="decision making">{{cite web| title=Decision-making in the European Union|publisher=]|url=http://europa.eu/institutions /decision-making/index_en.htm| accessdate=2007-09-18}}</ref> | |||
| National courts within the Member States play a key role in the EU as enforcers of EU law, and a "spirit of cooperation" between EU and national courts is laid down in the Treaties. National courts can apply EU law in domestic cases, and if they require clarification on the interpretation or validity of any EU legislation related to the case it may make a reference for a preliminary ruling to the ECJ. The right to declare EU legislation invalid however is reserved to the EU courts. | |||
| ===Fundamental rights=== | |||
| At present the EU does not have a codified catalogue of ]s against which its legal acts might be judged.<ref name="europarl-rights"/> However the ] does give judgements on fundamental rights derived from the "constitutional traditions common to the Member States,"<ref>Case 11/70, Internationale Handelsgesellschaft v. Einfuhr und Vorratstelle für Getreide und Futtermittel; Article 6(2) of the Maastrict Treaty (as amended).</ref> and may even invalidate EU legislation based on its failure to adhere to these fundamental rights.<ref name="europarl-rights">{{cite web |title=Respect for fundamental rights in the EU - general development |publisher=The ] |work=European Parliament Fact Sheets |url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/factsheets/2_1_1_en.htm |accessdate=2008-09-06}}</ref> While the EU may be said to have an unwritten fundamental rights code, there have, nonetheless, been efforts to establish a written catalogue. In 2000 the EU drew up the ]. The Charter is not legally binding at present but would become so if the Lisbon Treaty comes into force.<ref>By virtue of Article 1(8) of the Lisbon Treaty</ref> | |||
| Although signing the ] (ECHR) is a condition for EU membership,<ref>It is effectively treated as one of the Copenhagen criteria . It should be noted that this is a political and not a legal requirement for membership.</ref> the EU itself is not covered by the convention as it is neither a state<ref>The European Convention on Human Rights is currently only open to members of the ] (Article 59.1 of the Convention) , and only states may become member of the Council of Europe (Article 4 of the Statute of the Council of Europe) .</ref> nor has the competence to accede.<ref>Opinion (2/92) of the European Court of Justice on "Accession by the Community to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms" (in French), ruled that the European Community did not have the competence to accede to the ECHR.</ref> Nonetheless the Court of Justice and ] co-operate to ensure their case-law does not conflict.<ref name="Juncker Council">{{cite web|last=Juncker|first=Jean-Claude|authorlink=Jean-Claude Juncker|title =Council of Europe - European Union: "A sole ambition for the European continent"|year=2006|publisher=]|url=http://assembly.coe.int/Sessions/2006/speeches/20060411_report_JCJuncker_EN.pdf|format=PDF|accessdate = 2007-07-28 }}</ref> If the Lisbon Treaty comes into force the EU would be required to accede to the ECHR.<ref>By virtue of Article 1(8) of the Lisbon Treaty, however this will only become possible when Protocol 14 of the ECHR, which allows for EU accession to the ECHR, comes into force.</ref> | |||
| ==Foreign relations== | |||
| {{see|Foreign relations of the European Union|Common Foreign and Security Policy}} | |||
| ] is the EU's ] in foreign policy.]] | |||
| Foreign policy cooperation between member states dates from the establishment of the Community in 1957, when member states negotiated as a block in international trade negotiations under the Common Commercial Policy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Qualified-Majority Voting: Common commercial policy |url=http://ec.europa.eu/archives/igc2000/geninfo/fact-sheets/fact-sheet6/index_en.htm |accessdate=2007-09-03 |publisher=]}}</ref> Steps for a more wide ranging coordination in foreign relations began in 1970 with the establishment of ] which created an informal consultation process between member states with the aim of forming common foreign policies. It was not, however, until the 1987, when European Political Cooperation was introduced on a formal basis by the ]. EPC was renamed as the ''Common Foreign and Security Policy'' (CFSP) by the Maastricht Treaty.<ref name="EPC">{{cite web |url=http://europa.eu/scadplus/glossary/european_political_cooperation_en.htm |title=European political co-operation (EPC) |accessdate=2007-09-03 |publisher=] |author=The European commission |work= Europa Glossary }}</ref> | |||
| The Maastricht Treaty gives the CFSP the aims of promoting both the EU's own interests and those of the ] as a whole. This includes promoting international co-operation, respect for ], ], and the ].<ref name="art11 Union"> {{cite web |title=European Union consolidated treaty, (article 11, common foreign policy) |url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2006/ce321/ce32120061229en00010331.pdf |publisher=]| author=] |accessdate=2007-11-08|format=PDF}}</ref> | |||
| The Amsterdam Treaty created the office of the ] (currently held by ]) to co-ordinate the EU's foreign policy.<ref name="Europa CFSP">{{cite web|title=Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) - Overview|publisher=]|year=2002|url=http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/cfsp/intro/index.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref> The High Representative, in conjunction with the current ], speaks on behalf of the EU in foreign policy matters and can have the task of articulating ambiguous policy positions created by disagreements among member states. The Common Foreign and Security Policy requires unanimity among the now 27 member states on the appropriate policy to follow on any particular policy. The unanimity and difficult issues treated under the CFSP makes disagreements, such as those which occurred over the war in Iraq,<ref name="BBC Iraq statement">{{cite web|title=Divided EU agrees Iraq statement|publisher=]|year=2003|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/2697667.stm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref> not uncommon. | |||
| ] summits. (])]] | |||
| Besides the emerging international policy of the European Union, the international influence of the EU is also felt through ]. The perceived benefits of becoming a member of the EU act as an incentive for both political and economic reform in states wishing to fulfil the EU's accession criteria, and are considered a major factor contributing to the reform of former Communist countries in Eastern Europe.<ref name="Enlargement voice">{{cite web|title=EU enlargement - voices from the debate|publisher=British ]|url=http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1139992114487|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-27}}</ref> This influence on the internal affairs of other countries is generally referred to as "]", as opposed to military "hard power".<ref name="Soft Power">{{cite web|last=Bildt|first=Carl|authorlink=Carl Bildt|title=Europe must keep its 'soft power'|publisher=] on ]|year=2005|url=http://www.cer.org.uk/articles/bildt_ft_1june05.html|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref> | |||
| Besides the CFSP, the Commission also has its own representation in international organisations. This is primarily through the ], who works alongside the High Representative. In the UN, as an observer and working together, the EU has gained influence in areas such as aid due to its large contributions in that field (see below).<ref name="EUObserver UN Seat">{{cite web|title=EU heading for single UN seat, UN official says|publisher=]|year=2007|url=http://euobserver.com/24/22553|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref> In the ], the EU has rights of membership besides chairing/hosting summit meetings and is represented at meetings by the presidents of the Commission and the Council.<ref name="EC G8">{{cite web|title=EU and the G8|publisher=] |author=Delegation of the European Commission to Japan |url=http://www.deljpn.ec.europa.eu/union/showpage_en_union.external.g8.php|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-09-26}}</ref> In the ] (WTO), where all 27 member states are represented, the EU as a body is represented by ] ].<ref name="Europa Trade">{{cite web|title=The EU and the world trade organisation |publisher=] |author=]|url=http://ec.europa.eu/trade/issues/newround/index_en.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref> | |||
| ===Humanitarian aid=== | |||
| {{see|ECHO (European Commission)}} | |||
| ] | |||
| The ], or "ECHO", provides ] from the EU to developing countries. In 2006 its budget amounted to 671 million euros, 48% of which went to the ].<ref name="ECHO 2006">{{cite web |title=DG for humanitarian aid - ECHO, financial report 2006 |publisher=] |author=] |year=2006 |url=http://ec.europa.eu/echo/pdf_files/financial_report.pdf |format=PDF |accessdate=2007-08-13}}</ref> Counting the EU's own contributions and those of its member states together, the EU is the largest aid donor in the world.<ref name="Aid Consensus">{{cite web |title=Commission calls for a European consensus to boost impact of humanitarian aid |publisher=] |author=] |date=] |url=http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/07/814&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en |accessdate=2007-08-13}}</ref> | |||
| The EU's aid has previously been criticised by the eurosceptic think-tank ] for being inefficient, mis-targeted and linked to economic objectives.<ref name="BBC Aid Inefficient">{{cite web|last=Mulvey|first=Stephen |title=EU attacked for 'inefficient' aid |publisher=] |date=] |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6705773.stm |accessdate=2007-08-13}}</ref> | |||
| Furthermore, some charities have claimed European governments have inflated the amount they have spent on aid by incorrectly including money spent on debt relief, foreign students, and refugees. Under the de-inflated figures, the EU did not reach its internal aid target in 2006<ref name="Indy Inflated Aid">{{cite web|last=Taylor|first=Jerome |title=EU accused of artificially inflating its aid figures |publisher=] |date=] |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/europe/eu-accused-of-artificially-inflating-its-aid-figures-448343.html |accessdate=2007-08-13}}</ref> and the EU would not reach the international target of 0.7% of ] until 2015. However, only a few countries have reached that target. In 2005 EU aid was 0.34% of the GNP which was higher than that of the United States and ].<ref name="ECHO Overview">{{cite web |title=Overviews of the European Union activities: Development |publisher=]|author=] |url=http://europa.eu/pol/dev/overview_en.htm |accessdate=2007-08-13}}</ref> The current ], ], has called for aid to be delivered more rapidly, to greater effect, and on humanitarian principles.<ref name="Aid Consensus"/> | |||
| ===Military and defence=== | |||
| {{main|European Security and Defence Policy|Military of the European Union}} | |||
| ] forces are peacekeeping in parts of the ] and ].]] | |||
| Member states are responsible for their own territorial defence. Many EU members are also members of ] although some member states follow policies of neutrality.<ref>{{cite conference |first=Finn |last=Laursen |title=The EU 'neutrals,' the CFSP and defence policy |booktitle=Biennial Conference of the European Union Studies Association |pages=27 |publisher=University of Pittsburgh |date=29 May-1 June 1997 |location=Seattle, WA. |url=http://aei.pitt.edu/2657/}}</ref> The ] (WEU) is a European security organisation related to the EU. In 1992, the WEU's relationship with the EU was defined, when the EU assigned it the "]" (humanitarian missions such as peacekeeping and crisis management). These tasks were later transferred from the WEU to the EU by the Amsterdam Treaty; they formed part of the new CFSP and the ]. Elements of the WEU are currently being merged into the EU's CFSP, and the President of the WEU is currently CFSP High Representative.<ref name="Europa ESDP">{{cite web|title=EU Security Police & the role of the European Commission|publisher=] |author=] |url=http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/cfsp/esdp/index.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref><ref name="Europa Chronology">{{cite web|title=EU Security Police & the role of the European Commission: Chronology|publisher=] |author=] |url=http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/cfsp/esdp/chrono.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref> | |||
| Following the ] in 1999, the European Council agreed that "the Union must have the capacity for autonomous action, backed by credible military forces, the means to decide to use them, and the readiness to do so, in order to respond to international crises without prejudice to actions by NATO". To that end, a number of efforts were made to increase the EU's military capability, notably the ] process. After much discussion, the most concrete result was the ] initiative, each of which is planned to be able to deploy quickly about 1500 men.<ref name="Council Capabilities">{{cite web|title=Military Capabilities|publisher=] |author=] |url=http://www.consilium.europa.eu/cms3_fo/showPage.asp?id=1349&lang=EN |accessdate=2007-10-09}}</ref> EU forces have been deployed on ] missions from ] to the former ] and the ].<ref name="Council Operations">{{cite web|title=EU security and defence Operations |publisher=] |author=]|url=http://www.consilium.europa.eu/cms3_fo/showPage.asp?id=268&lang=EN&mode=g |accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref> EU military operations are supported by a number of bodies, including the ], ] and the ].<ref name="Council Structures">{{cite web|title=ESPD Structures|publisher=] |author=]|url=http://www.consilium.europa.eu/cms3_fo/showPage.asp?id=279&lang=EN&mode=g|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref> | |||
| ==Justice and home affairs== | |||
| ] has ensured open borders between most member states.]] | |||
| {{see|Police and Judicial Co-operation in Criminal Matters|European Commissioner for Justice, Freedom & Security}} | |||
| Over the years the EU has developed a wide competence in the justice and home affairs area. Using these the Union has legislated in areas such as extradition,<ref>{{cite web |title=European arrest warrant replaces extradition between EU Member States |url=http://ec.europa.eu/justice_home/fsj/criminal/extradition/fsj_criminal_extradition_en.htm |publisher=] |accessdate=2007-09-04}}</ref> family law,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/lvb/l33194.htm |title=Jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in matrimonial matters and in matters of parental responsibility (Brussels II)|publisher=] |accessdate=2008-09-05}}</ref> asylum law<ref>{{cite web |url=http://europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/lvb/l33150.htm |title=Minimum standards on the reception of applicants for asylum in Member States |publisher=] |accessdate=2008-09-05}}</ref> and criminal justice.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/lvb/l10110.htm |title=Specific Programme: 'Criminal Justice' |publisher=] |accessdate=2008-09-05}}</ref> | |||
| Prohibitions against sexual and nationality discrimination have a long standing in the treaties.<ref name="art39/141 Rome">{{cite web |title=European Community consolidated treaty, (articles 39 and 141), prohibition of national or sexual discrimination) |url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2006/ce321/ce32120061229en00010331.pdf |publisher=]| author=] |accessdate=2008-02-28|format=PDF}}</ref> and in more recent years these have been supplemented by powers to legislate against discrimination based on race, religion, disability, age and sexual orientation.<ref name="art2(7) Amsterdam">{{cite web |title=Amsterdam treaty article 2 s.7 amending European Community consolidated treaty article 13, combating discrimination) |url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/treaties/dat/11997D/htm/11997D.html#0001010001 |publisher=]| author=] |accessdate=2008-02-28}}</ref> Using these powers the EU has enacted legislation on ] in the work-place, ] and ].<ref>Council Directive 2000/43/EC of 29 June 2000 implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin (OJ L 180, 19.7.2000, p. 22–26); Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation (OJ L 303, 2.12.2000, p. 16–22).</ref> | |||
| The EU has also established agencies to co-ordinate its actions in the justice and home affairs area: ] for co-operation of police forces,<ref>{{cite web |title=European police office now in full swing |url=http://ec.europa.eu/justice_home/fsj/police/europol/fsj_police_europol_en.htm |publisher=] |accessdate=2007-09-04}}</ref> ] for co-operation between prosecutors,<ref>{{cite web |title=Eurojust coordinating cross-border prosecutions at EU level |url=http://ec.europa.eu/justice_home/fsj/criminal/eurojust/fsj_criminal_eurojust_en.htm |publisher=] |accessdate=2007-09-04}}</ref> and ] for co-operation between border control authorities.<ref>{{cite web |title=What is Frontex? |url=http://www.frontex.europa.eu/ |author=] |publisher=] |accessdate=2007-09-04}}</ref> The EU also operates the ]<ref name="Internal borders">{{cite web |title=Abolition of internal borders and creation of a single Union external frontier |publisher=] |year=2005 |url=http://ec.europa.eu/justice_home/fsj/freetravel/frontiers/fsj_freetravel_schengen_en.htm |accessdate=2007-01-24}}</ref> which provides a common database for police and immigration authorities. | |||
| ==Economy== | |||
| {{see|Economy of the European Union}} | |||
| ] corporations are headquartered in EU countries. (], ])]] | |||
| Since its origin, the EU has established a single economic market across the territory of all its members. Currently, a single currency is in use between the 15 members of the ]<ref name="euro website"/><ref name="Europa Single Market"/>. Considered as a single economy, the EU generated an estimated nominal ] (GDP) of ]16,830 billion in 2007, amounting to 31% of the world's total economic output,<ref name="GDP IMF"> {{cite web | url = http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2008/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2006&ey=2008&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=998&s=NGDPD%2CPPPGDP&grp=1&a=1&pr.x=46&pr.y=7| title = Report for Selected Country Groups and Subjects (European Union)| accessdate = 2008-05-03| year = 2008 | month = April| work = World Economic Outlook Database, April 2008 Edition| publisher = International Monetary Fund|quote= Gross domestic product, current prices; U.S. dollars, Billions; 2007 = 16,830.100, 2008=18,493.009. Gross domestic product based on purchasing-power-parity (PPP) valuation of country GDP; Current international dollar, Billions; 2007 = 14,712.369;2008 = 15,282.118 }}</ref> which makes it the largest economy in the world by nominal GDP and the second largest ] economy in the world by PPP valuation of GDP. It is also the largest exporter of goods,<ref name="CIA exports">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2078rank.html| title =Rank Order - Exports |publisher = ] | work= ] |accessdate = 2007-08-21}}</ref> the second largest importer,<ref name="CIA imports">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2087rank.html| title =Rank Order - Imports |publisher =] |work=] |accessdate = 2007-08-21}}</ref> and the biggest trading partner to several large countries such as ], and ].<ref name="Trade China">{{cite web |title=China now EU's biggest import market |publisher=People's Daily Online |date=] |url=http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200701/31/eng20070131_346408.html |accessdate=2007-07-22}}</ref><ref name="Trade China-EU">{{cite web |title=EU now biggest trading partner of China |publisher=Chinese Embassy |date=] |url=http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/xw/t272113.htm |accessdate=2008-04-04}}</ref><ref name="Trade India-EU">{{cite web |title=India and the EU: strategic partners? |publisher=Centre for European Reform |date=February/March 2006 |url=http://www.cer.org.uk/articles/46_grant.html |accessdate=2008-04-04}}</ref> 163 of the top 500 largest corporations measured by revenue (]) have their headquarters in the EU.<ref name="Fortune 500">{{cite web|url=http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/global500/2007/countries/US.html|title=Fortune Global 500: Countries|date=]|publisher = ] Money|accessdate = 2007-08-24}}</ref> In May 2007 unemployment in the EU stood at 7%<ref name="UNEMP">{{cite web|url=http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/PGP_PRD_CAT_PREREL/PGE_CAT_PREREL_YEAR_2007/PGE_CAT_PREREL_YEAR_2007_MONTH_07/3-03072007-EN-AP.PDF|format=PDF|title =Euro area and EU 27 unemployment down to 7.0%| date=]| publisher = ]| accessdate = 2007-11-01}}</ref> while investment was at 21.4% of GDP, inflation at 2.2% and public deficit at -0.9% of GDP.<ref name="IMF all but GDP">{{cite web|url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2007/01/data/weorept.aspx?sy=2006&ey=2008&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&pr1.x=80&pr1.y=6&c=998&s=NID_NGDP%2CNGSD_NGDP%2CPCPIPCH%2CGGB_NGDP%2CBCA%2CBCA_NGDPD&grp=1&a=1|title =Eur4. Report for Selected Country Groups and Subjects|month=April | year=2007|publisher = ]|accessdate = 2007-11-29}}</ref> There is a great deal of variance for annual per capita income within individual EU states, these range from $7,000 to $69,000 USD.<ref>World Factbook, US CIA. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ee.html</ref> | |||
| ===Single market=== | |||
| {{see|Four Freedoms (European Union)}} | |||
| Two of the original core objectives of the European Economic Community were the development of a ], subsequently renamed the ], and a ] between its member states. The single market involves the free circulation of ]s, ], ] and ]s within the EU,<ref name="Europa Single Market">{{cite web|title=The Single Market |publisher=] |url=http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/index_en.htm |accessdate=2007-06-27}}</ref> and the customs union involves the application of a common external tariff on all goods entering the market. Once goods have been admitted into the market they can not be subjected to ], discriminatory taxes or ]s, as they travel internally. The non EU member states of ], ], ] and ] participate in the single market but not in the customs union.<ref name="EEA">{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/eea/index.htm| title =The European Economic Area (EEA)|publisher = ] |author=] |accessdate = 2007-07-21}}</ref> Half the trade in the EU is covered by legislation harmonised by the EU.<ref name="Europa Single Market G">{{cite web|title=A Single Market for goods|publisher=] |author=] |url=http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/top_layer/index_18_en.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-27}}</ref> | |||
| ] | |||
| Free movement of capital is intended to permit movement of investments such as property purchases and buying of shares between countries.<ref name="Europa Single Market C">{{cite web|title=A Single Market for Capital|publisher=] |author=]|url=http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/top_layer/index_42_en.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-27}}</ref> Until the drive towards Economic and Monetary Union the development of the capital provisions had been slow. Post-Maastricht there has been a rapidly developing corpus of ECJ judgments regarding this initially neglected freedom. The free movement of capital is unique insofar as that it is granted equally to non-member countries. | |||
| The free movement of persons means ] can move freely between member states to live, work, study or retire in another country. This required the lowering of administrative formalities and recognition of professional qualifications of other states.<ref name="Europa Single Market P">{{cite web|title=Living and working in the Single Market| publisher=]|url=http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/top_layer/index_15_en.htm| author=] |accessdate=2007-06-27}}</ref> Traditionally the economically active were granted a much greater level of freedom than others. The extension to the non-economically active was first recognised in 1993 when the concept of Community Citizenship was introduced to the EU. In addition to extending the scope of the free movement of persons, it also grants certain social and political rights to the citizens of the EU. | |||
| The free movement of services and of establishment allows self-employed persons to move between member states in order to provide services on a temporary or permanent basis. Services account for between sixty and seventy percent of GDP, although legislation is not as developed as in other sectors. This has been addressed by the recently passed ] which aims to liberalise this area of the market.<ref name="Europa Single Market S">{{cite web|title=A Single Market for Services|publisher=] |url=http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/top_layer/index_19_en.htm| author=] |accessdate=2007-06-27}}</ref> According to the Treaty the provision of services is a residual freedom that only applies if no other freedom is being exercised. | |||
| The freedoms are not absolute in nature. Member states may limit the exercise of the freedoms in accordance with the specific grounds laid down in the Treaty. For example, the Treaty allows member states to restrict movements that would pose a real threat to public policy or public security. In the absence of Community legislation it is for the member states to decide the scope of the exceptions. The European courts arbitrate as to whether the actions of the member state are proportionate and in conformity with Community law. | |||
| ===Monetary union=== | |||
| {{see|Euro|Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union}} | |||
| ] in ] governs the ] monetary policy.]] | |||
| The creation of a European single currency became an official objective of the EU in 1969. However, it was only with the advent of the Maastricht Treaty in 1993 that member states were legally bound to start the monetary union no later than 1 January 1999. On this date the ] was duly ] of the then fifteen member states of the EU. It remained an accounting currency until 1 January 2002, when euro notes and coins were issued and national currencies began to phase out in the ], which by then consisted of twelve member states. The Eurozone has since grown to fifteen countries, the most recent being ] and ] which joined on 1 January 2008. | |||
| All other EU member states, except Denmark and the United Kingdom, are legally bound to join the euro when the economic conditions are met, however only a few countries have set target dates for accession. Sweden has circumvented the requirement to join the euro area by not meeting the membership criteria. Slovakia is scheduled to introduce the euro on 1 January 2009. | |||
| A number of other countries outside the EU, such as ], use the euro unofficially.<ref name="euro use world">{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/the_euro/euro_in_world9369_en.htm| title= | |||
| Use of the euro in the world | publisher=] |author=] |work=The euro outside the euro area |accessdate = 2008-02-27}}</ref> The euro, and the monetary policies of those who have adopted it, are under the control of the ] (ECB).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ecb.int/ecb/orga/escb/html/index.en.html |title=ECB, ESCB and the Eurosystem |publisher=]|accessdate = 2007-09-15}}</ref> There are ] used in the EU.<ref name="euro website">{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/euro/our_currency_en.htm| title=The Euro: our currency | publisher=] |author=] |accessdate = 2007-11-12}}</ref> | |||
| The euro is designed to help build a single market by, for example: easing travel of citizens and goods, eliminating exchange rate problems, providing price transparency, creating a single financial market, price stability and low interest rates, and providing a currency used internationally and protected against shocks by the large amount of internal trade within the eurozone. It is also intended as a political symbol of integration and stimulus for more.<ref name="euro website"/> | |||
| ===Competition=== | |||
| {{see|European Community competition law|European Commissioner for Competition}} | |||
| The EU operates a competition policy intended to ensure undistorted competition within the single market.<ref>Article 3(1)(g) of the Treaty of Rome</ref> The Commission as the ] for the single market is responsible for ] issues, approving ], breaking up ]s, working for ] and preventing ].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=] |title=Competition: making markets work better |author=] |url=http://ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/index_en.html |accessdate=2007-11-12}}</ref> | |||
| The ], currently ], is one of the most powerful positions in the Commission, notable for the ability to affect the commercial interests of trans-national corporations.<ref>{{cite web|last =Lungescu| first=Oana| publisher=]|title =Examining the EU executive|date=]|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/letter_from_america/3921303.stm|accessdate = 2007-09-18}}</ref> For example, in 2001 the Commission for the first time prevented a merger between two companies based in the ] which had already been approved by their national authority.<ref>{{cite web| publisher=]| title =The Commission prohibits GE's acquisition of Honeywell|date=]| url=http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/01/939|accessdate = 2007-11-12}}</ref> Another high profile case, ], resulted in the Commission fining ] over €777 million following nine years of legal action.<ref>{{cite web|last =Gow| first=David| publisher=]|title =Microsoft caves in to European commission|date=]|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2007/oct/22/microsoft.microsoft|accessdate = 2007-11-12}}</ref> | |||
| In negotiations on the Treaty of Lisbon, ] ] succeeded in removing the words "free and undistorted competition" from the treaties. However, the requirement is maintained in an annex and it is unclear whether this will have any practical effect on EU policy.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=]|title =EU competition to remain in place|date=]|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6231684.stm|accessdate = 2007-11-12}}</ref> | |||
| ===Budget=== | |||
| {{main|Budget of the European Union}} | |||
| [[Image:EU Budget 2006 - Total expenditure.png||thumb|160px|2006 EU total expenditure. | |||
| {{legend|#990000|Agriculture: 46.7%}} | |||
| {{legend|#FF0000|Structural Actions: 30.4%}} | |||
| {{legend|#FF9900|Internal Policies: 8.5%}} | |||
| {{legend|#FFFF00|Administration: 6.3%}} | |||
| {{legend|#00FF00|External Actions: 4.9%}} | |||
| {{legend|#3399FF|Pre-Accession Strategy: 2.1%}} | |||
| {{legend|#0000FF|Compensations: 1.0%}} | |||
| {{legend|#000000|Reserves: 0.1%}}]] | |||
| The twenty-seven member state EU had an agreed budget of €120.7 billion for the year 2007 and €864.3 billion for the period 2007-2013,<ref> {{cite web|url=http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/06/204&format=HTML |title=Q&A on Interinstitutional Agreement on Budgetary Discipline and Sound Financial Management 2007-2013}}</ref> representing 1.10% and 1.05% of the EU-27's ] forecast for the respective periods. By comparison, the UK's expenditure for 2004 was estimated to be €759 billion, and France was estimated to have spent €801 billion. In 1960, the six member state ] (the predecessor of the EU) budget was 0.03% of GDP.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.euro-know.org/articles/wew.html |title=Will Europe Work? |publisher=Euro-know |accessdate=2008-02-29}}</ref> | |||
| In the 2006 budget, the largest single expenditure item was ] (direct aid, export refunds, storage, rural development and other) with around 46.7% of the total budget. Next came structural actions (Objective 1, Objective 2, Objective 3, other structural measures, community initiatives, innovatory measures and technical assistance, other specific structural operations and the cohesion fund) with approximately 30.4% of the total. | |||
| Internal policies (training, youth, culture, audiovisual, media, information, energy, Euratom nuclear safeguards and environment, consumer protection, internal market, industry and Trans-European networks, research and technological development, other internal policies) took up around 8.5%. Administration accounted for around 6.3%. External actions, the pre-accession strategy, compensations and reserves brought up the rear with approximately 4.9%, 2.1%, 1% and 0.1% respectively.<ref name="ECDetail20002007">{{cite web |title=Detailed data 2000-2007 |publisher=] |author=] |url=http://ec.europa.eu/budget/library/publications/fin_reports/fin_report_07_data_en.pdf |accessdate=2008-07-07|format=PDF}}</ref> | |||
| ==Development== | |||
| ===Agriculture=== | |||
| {{main|Common Agricultural Policy}} | |||
| The ] (CAP) is one the oldest policies of the European Community and was one of its core aims.<ref name="stead">{{cite web|last=Stead|first=David|coauthors=Robert Whaples (eds)|title=Common Agricultural Policy|publisher=EH.Net Encyclopedia|date=]|url=http://eh.net/encyclopedia/article/Stead.CAP |accessdate=2007-08-30}}</ref> The policy has the objectives of increasing agricultural production, providing certainty in food supplies, ensuring a high quality of life for farmers, stabilising markets and ensuring reasonable prices for consumers (article 33 of the Treaty of Rome).<ref name="Consolidated Treaties"/> It was, until recently, operated by a system of subsidies and market intervention. Until the 1990s the policy accounted for over 60% of the then ]'s annual budget, and still accounts for around 35%.<ref name="stead"/> | |||
| ], the largest ] expenditure. (] in Spain)]] | |||
| The policy's price controls and market interventions led to considerable overproduction, resulting in so-called ''butter mountains'' and ''wine lakes''. These were ] of produce bought up by the Community to maintain minimum price levels. In order to dispose of surplus stores, they were often sold on the world market at prices considerably below Community guaranteed prices, or farmers were offered subsidies (amounting to the difference between the Community and world prices) to export their produce outside the Community. This system has been criticised for under-cutting farmers in the developing world.<ref name="Guardian CAP">{{cite web|last=Jeffery|first=Simon|title=The EU common agricultural policy|publisher=]|date=]|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2003/jun/26/eu.politics1 |accessdate=2007-08-30}}</ref> The overproduction has also been criticised on environmental grounds in that it encourages environmentally unfriendly intensive farming methods.<ref name="Guardian CAP"/> Supporters of CAP say that the economic support which it gives to farmers provides them with a reasonable standard of living, in what would otherwise be an economically unviable way of life. However, the EU's small farmers only receive 8% of CAP's available subsidies.<ref name="Guardian CAP"/> | |||
| Since the beginning of the 1990s the CAP has been subject to a series of reforms. Initially these reforms included the introduction of ] in 1988, where a proportion of farm land was deliberately withdrawn from production, milk quotas (by the McSharry reforms in 1992) and more recently, the 'de-coupling' (or disassociation) of the money farmers receive from the EU and the amount they produce (by the Fischler reforms in 2004). It is intended to move away from subsidy payments linked to specific produce, toward direct payments based on farm size. This is intended to have the effect of allowing the market to dictate production levels while maintaining agricultural income levels.<ref name="stead"/> The most recent reform entailed the abolition of the EU's sugar regime which previously involved the carving up of the sugar market between member states and certain African-Caribbean nations with a privileged relationship with the EU.<ref name="EC CAP">{{cite web |title=Sugar: Commission proposes more market-, consumer- and trade-friendly regime |publisher=] |date=] |url=http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/04/915&format=HTML&aged=1&language=EN&guiLanguage=en |accessdate=2007-08-30}}</ref> | |||
| ===Energy=== | |||
| {{main|Energy policy of the European Union}} | |||
| <div style="font-size: 90%"> | |||
| {| class="wikitable" table style="border:1px #000000;" cellspacing="0" align="right" style="margin-left: 1em" | |||
| ! style="background:#FF9999;" colspan="2"|EU production of primary energy | |||
| |- | |||
| ! style="background:#FF9999;" colspan="2"|46% of total EU energy consumption | |||
| |- | |||
| |Nuclear energy||29.3% | |||
| |- | |||
| |Coal & lignite||21.9% | |||
| |- | |||
| |Gas||19.4% | |||
| |- | |||
| |Renewable energy||14.6% | |||
| |- | |||
| |Oil||13.4% | |||
| |- | |||
| |Other||1.4% | |||
| |- | |||
| ! style="background:#FF9999;" colspan="2"|Net imports of primary energy | |||
| |- | |||
| ! style="background:#FF9999;" colspan="2"|54% of total EU energy consumption | |||
| |- | |||
| |Oil & petroleum products||60.2% | |||
| |- | |||
| |Gas||26.4% | |||
| |- | |||
| |Other||13.4% | |||
| |- | |||
| |} | |||
| </div> | |||
| In 2006, the 27 member states of the EU had a gross inland energy consumption of 1,825 million tonnes of oil equivalent (toe).<ref name="EurostatEnergy"> | |||
| {{cite press release | title = Energy consumption and production: EU27 energy dependence rate at 54% in 2006: Energy consumption stable | publisher = ]| date = 2008-07-10 | format = pdf | | url = http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/PGP_PRD_CAT_PREREL/PGE_CAT_PREREL_YEAR_2008/PGE_CAT_PREREL_YEAR_2008_MONTH_07/8-10072008-EN-AP.PDF | accessdate = 2008-09-12 | quote = <br/>In the EU27, gross inland energy consumption was 1 825 million tonnes of oil equivalent (toe) in 2006, stable compared with 2005, while energy production decreased by 2.3% to 871 mn toe. . . .<br/> | |||
| Gross inland consumption is defined as primary production plus imports, recovered products and stock change, less exports and fuel supply to maritime bunkers (for seagoing ships of all flags). . . . . | |||
| <br/> | |||
| A tonne of oil equivalent (toe) is a standardised unit defined on the basis of one tonne of oil having a net calorific value of 41.868 Gigajoules. }}</ref> | |||
| Around 46% of the energy consumed was produced within the member states while 54% was imported.<ref name="EurostatEnergy"> </ref> | |||
| The EU has been a legislative power in the area of energy policy for most of its existence; this has its roots in the original ]. The introduction of a mandatory and comprehensive European energy policy was approved at the meeting of the ] in October 2005, and the first draft policy was published in January 2007.<ref name="Energy Q&A">{{cite web|title=Q&A: EU energy plans |publisher=] |date=]|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4783996.stm|accessdate=2007-07-13}}</ref> | |||
| The Commission has five key points in its energy policy: increase competition in the internal market, encourage investment and boost interconnections between ]s; diversify energy resources with better systems to respond to a crisis; establish a new treaty framework for energy co-operation with Russia while improving relations with energy-rich states in ] and ]; use existing energy supplies more efficiently while increasing use of renewable energy; and finally increase funding for new energy technologies.<ref name="Energy Q&A"/> | |||
| The EU currently imports 82% of its ] and 57% of its ] demands.<ref name="low carb prop">{{cite web|title='Low-carbon economy' proposed for Europe|publisher=]|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16560106/ |accessdate=2007-01-24}}</ref> There are concerns that the EU is largely dependent on other countries, primarily ], for its energy. This concern has grown following a series of ] between Russia and its neighbours, threatening the flow of gas. As a result the EU is attempting to diversify its energy supply.<ref name="Energy Russia">{{cite web |title=Ukraine-Russia gas dispute{{ndash}} call for stronger EU energy policy |publisher=] |author=]|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?language=EN&type=IM-PRESS&reference=20060112STO04233&secondRef=0|accessdate=2008-02-27}}</ref> | |||
| ===Infrastructure=== | |||
| {{see|European Commissioner for Transport|European Commissioner for Enterprise and Industry}}<!--Galileo comes under the latter, not Transport--> | |||
| ] between Denmark and Sweden is part of the ]]] | |||
| The EU is working to improve cross-border ] within the EU, for example through the ] (TEN). Projects under TEN include the ], ], the ], the ] and the ]. In 2001 it was estimated that by 2010 the network would cover: {{convert|75200|km}} of roads; {{convert|78000|km}} of railways; 330 airports; 270 maritime harbours; and 210 internal harbours.<ref>{{cite web|title=The trans-European transport network: new guidelines and financial rules|]|date=]|url=http://ec.europa.eu/ten/transport/revision/doc/revision_1692_memo_en.pdf| format=PDF |accessdate=2007-08-15 |publisher=] |author=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Mirea|first=Silvia|title=The trans-European transport network: new guidelines and financial rules|publisher=The Railway Journal|url=http://www.cfr.ro/jf/engleza/0304/ten-t.htm|accessdate=2007-08-15}}</ref> | |||
| The developing European transport policies will increase the pressure on the environment in many regions by the increased transport network. In the pre-2004 EU members, the major problem in transport deals with congestion and pollution. After the recent enlargement, the new states that joined since 2004 added the problem of solving accessibility to the transport agenda.<ref>{{cite web|title=White Paper on Transport|publisher=Euractiv |date=]|url=http://www.euractiv.com/en/transport/white-paper-transport/article-129628 |accessdate=2007-08-15}}</ref> The ] in particular was in poor condition: at Poland's accession to the EU, 4,600 roads needed to be upgraded to EU standards, demanding approximately 17 billion euros.<ref>{{cite web|title=Transport – How Quickly will Polish Roads Improve After Accession|publisher=Urząd Komitetu Integracji Europejskiej|date=]|url=http://www.ukie.gov.pl/WWW/en.nsf/0/574AB36381D2F551C1256E82004F9470?Open|format=|accessdate=2007-08-15}}</ref> | |||
| Another infrastructure project is the ]. Galileo is a proposed ], to be built by the EU and launched by the ] (ESA), and is to be operational by 2010. The Galileo project was launched to reduce the EU's dependency on the US-operated ], which will extend to nations outside the EU.<ref name="Barrot">{{cite web |last=Barrot |first=Jacques |title=Jacques Barrot Home Page, Commission vice president for transport|publisher=]|url=http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/barrot/index_en.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-07-21}}</ref> It has been criticised by some due to costs, delays, and their perception of redundancy given the existence of that system.<ref>{{cite web|last=McKie| first=Robin| title=Sat-nav rival could crash and burn|publisher=]| date=]|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2007/jul/15/spaceexploration.europeanunion|accessdate=2007-08-11}}</ref> | |||
| ===Regional development=== | |||
| {{see|Regional policy of the European Union}} | |||
| ] finance infrastructure such as the motorway Prague-Berlin. (], ])]] | |||
| There are substantial economical disparities across the EU. Even corrected for purchasing power, the difference between the richest and poorest regions (NUTS-2 and NUTS-3 of the ]) is about a factor of ten. On the high end ] has €71,476 ] per capita, ] €68,989, and ] €67,798, while the three poorest NUTS, all in ], are ] with €3,690 PPP per capita, ] with €4,115, and ] with €4,277.<ref name="Frankfurt_Paris">{{cite web| url=http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/extraction/evalight/EVAlight.jsp?A=1&language=fr&root=/theme1/reg/reg_e3gdp| title=Table: E3GDP95 = Gross domestic product (GDP) at current market prices at NUTS level 3 | |||
| |author=]| accessdate=2008-08-11}}</ref> Compared to the EU average, the United States GDP per capita is 35% higher and the Japanese GDP per capita is approximately 15% higher.<ref name="STAT/06/166">{{cite web |title=GDP per capita in the Member States ranged from 48% to 251% of the EU25 average in 2005 |publisher=]|author=] |date=] |url=http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=STAT/06/166&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en |accessdate=2007-07-13}}</ref> | |||
| There are a number of ] to support development of underdeveloped regions of the EU. Such regions are primarily located in the new member states of eastern Europe.<ref name="Business2000 Funds">{{cite web |title=EU Structural and Cohesion Funds |publisher=Business 2000 |url=http://www.business2000.ie/cases/cases_8th/case12.htm |accessdate=2007-06-27}}</ref> Several funds provide emergency aid, support for candidate members to transform their country to conform to the EU's standard (], ], and ]), and support to the former USSR ] (]). TACIS has now become part of the worldwide ] programme. The EU ] sponsors research conducted by consortia from all EU members to work towards a single ].<ref name="Euractiv FP7">{{cite web |title=7th Research Framework Programme (FP7) |publisher=Euractiv |year=2004 |url=http://www.euractiv.com/en/science/7th-research-framework-programme-fp7/article-117494 |accessdate=2007-06-27}}</ref> | |||
| ===Environment=== | |||
| {{see|European Commissioner for the Environment|European Climate Change Programme}} | |||
| The first environmental policy of the European Community was launched in 1972. Since then it has addressed issues such as ], the thinning of the ], ], ], ] and ]. The ] is an example of a water policy, aiming for rivers, lakes, ground and coastal waters to be of "good quality" by 2015. Wildlife is protected through the ] programme and covers 30,000 sites throughout Europe.<ref name="BBC Dimas">{{cite web|last=Dimas|first=Stavros|title=Celebrating the Environmental Union|publisher=]|date=] |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6476273.stm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-08-15}}</ref> In 2007, the Polish government sought to build a motorway through the ], but the Commission has been blocking construction as the valley is a wildlife area covered by the programme.<ref name="FT Respuda">{{cite web|last=Easton|first=Adam|title=Poland ends stand-off with EU over road plans|publisher=]|date=] |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/640968f2-3f5b-11dc-b034-0000779fd2ac.html |format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-08-15}}</ref> | |||
| ] in Poland.]] | |||
| The ] was a piece of EU legislation designed to ensure that 30,000 chemicals in daily use are tested for their safety.<ref name="RTE REACH">{{cite web |title=EU chemicals directive agreed| publisher=]|date=]|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/1201/reach.html |accessdate=2007-08-15}}</ref> In 2006, ], from a European ship, prompted the Commission to look into legislation regarding toxic waste. With members such as Spain now having criminal laws against shipping toxic waste, the Commission proposed to create criminal sentences for "ecological crimes". Although the Commission's right to propose criminal law was contested, it was confirmed in this case by the Court of Justice.<ref name="E!Sharp0507 Legal">{{cite news| last=Charter| first=David| title=A new legal environment| work=E!Sharp|pages=23–5|language=English|publisher=People Power Process|year=2007|}}</ref> | |||
| In 2007, member states agreed that the EU is to use 20% ] in the future and that is has to reduce ] ] in 2020 by at least 20% compared to 1990 levels.<ref name="EUO energy">{{cite web |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jan/23/climatechange.eu1 |title=EU sets 20% target for carbon cuts |accessdate=2008-02-29 |publisher= ] |first=Jessica |last=Aldred}} </ref> This includes measures that in 2020, one-tenth of all cars and trucks in ] should be running on ]s. This is considered to be one of the most ambitious moves of an important industrialised region to fight ].<ref name="Discovery energy">{{cite web| last=Ames|first=Paul| title=European Union agrees on ambitious plan to fight global warming|publisher=], on Valcent Products website|date=] |url=http://www.valcent.net/s/RelatedArticles.asp?ReportID=183114&_Type=Related-Articles&_Title=European-Union-agrees-on-ambitious-plan-to-fight-global-warming |accessdate=2007-03-09}}</ref> | |||
| At the ], dealing with the successor to the ], the EU has proposed at 50% cut in greenhouse gases by 2050.<ref name="PostKyoto">{{cite web|title=In Bali, EU Floats 50% Greenhouse Gas Cut|publisher=]|date=] |url=http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/dec2007/gb2007124_968205.htm?chan=globalbiz_europe+index+page_top+stories |accessdate=2007-12-07}}</ref> The EU's attempts to cut its ] appear to have also been aided by an expansion of Europe's ]s which, between 1990 and 2005, grew 10% in western Europe and 15% in Eastern Europe. During this period they soaked up 126 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, equivalent to 11% of EU emissions from human activities.<ref name="PostKyoto">{{cite web|title=Expanding EU forests may aid climate goals|publisher=]|date=] |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUKL2920316220071129|accessdate=2007-12-07}}</ref> The ambitious EU goals for the ]s have not been met and there is serious doubt that they can ever be.<ref>IETA July 2006. </ref><ref>EU nowhere near meeting Kyoto targets. Andrew Osborn. The Guardian, Wednesday December 3 2003 </ref><ref>http://www.energy.eu/archive/index.php</ref><ref>IPS. Sepember 6, 2008. CLIMATE CHANGE: EU Leaders Fail Planet - Mary Robinson. By David Cronin. http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=40202</ref> | |||
| ===Education and research=== | |||
| {{see|Educational policies and initiatives of the European Union|Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development}} | |||
| ] is one priority in transnational research activities such as the ].]] | |||
| Education and science are areas where the EU's role is limited to supporting national governments. In education, the policy was mainly developed in the 1980s in programmes supporting exchanges and mobility. The most visible of these has been the ], a university exchange programme which began in 1987. In its first 20 years it has supported international exchange opportunities for well over 1.5 million university and college students and has become a symbol of European student life.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Erasmus programme celebrates its 20th anniversary |publisher=] |author=] |url=http://ec.europa.eu/education/news/erasmus20_en.html |accessdate=2007-07-21}}; {{cite web|last=Jean-Sébastien|first=Lefebvre |title=Erasmus turns 20 - time to grow up? |date=]|publisher=Café Babel |url=http://www.cafebabel.com/en/article.asp?T=T&Id=9702 |accessdate=2007-08-10}}</ref> There are now similar programmes for school pupils and teachers, for trainees in vocational education and training, and for adult learners in the ]. These programmes are designed to encourage a wider knowledge of other countries and to spread good practices in the education and training fields across the EU.<ref>{{cite web |author=EACEA |title=About the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency |publisher=] |url=http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/index.htm |accessdate=2007-07-21}}; {{cite web |title=Lifelong Learning Programme |publisher=] |author=] |url=http://ec.europa.eu/education/programmes/llp/national_en.html |accessdate=2007-07-21}}</ref> Through its support of the ] the EU is supporting comparable standards and compatible degrees across Europe. | |||
| Scientific development is facilitated through the EU's ], the first of which started in 1984. The aims of EU policy in this area are to co-ordinate and stimulate research. The independent ] allocates EU funds to European or national research projects.<ref>{{cite web |title=What is the ERC? |publisher=]| author=] |url=http://erc.europa.eu/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.display&topicID=12 |accessdate=2007-07-21}}</ref> The ] deals in a number of areas, for example energy where it aims to develop a diverse mix of ] for the environment and to reduce dependence on imported fuels.<ref>{{cite web |title=Energy|publisher=] |author=] |url=http://ec.europa.eu/research/fp7/index_en.cfm?pg=energy |accessdate=2007-11-12}}</ref> | |||
| Since January 2000 the ] has set its sights on a more ambitious objective, known as the ], and has extensively funded research in a few key areas. This has the support of all member states, and extends the existing financing structure of the frameworks. It aims to focus on co-ordination, sharing knowledge, ensuring mobility of researchers around Europe, improving conditions for researchers and encouraging links with business and industry as well as removing any legal and administrative barriers.<ref>{{cite web |title=What is the European Research Area? |publisher=] |author=] |url=http://ec.europa.eu/research/era/index_en.html |accessdate=2007-07-21}}</ref> The EU is involved with six other countries to develop ], a ] ] which will be built in the EU at ]. ITER builds on the previous project, ], which is currently the largest nuclear fusion reactor in the world.<ref name="ITER">{{cite web |title=ITER fusion research project |publisher=]|url=http://fusionforenergy.europa.eu/3_2_iter_en.htm |author=Fusion for energy |accessdate=2007-09-24}}</ref> The Commission foresees this technology to be generating energy in the EU by 2050.<ref name="Energy Q&A"/><!-- is this part of "European Research Area" collaboration?--> | |||
| It has observer status within ], there are various agreements with ] and there is collaboration with ].<ref name="ESO"> {{cite web |title=Astronomical research collaborations |url=http://www.eso.org/public/about-eso/collaborations.html |publisher=] |accessdate=2008-02-29}}</ref> These organizations are not under the framework of the EU, but membership heavily overlaps between them. | |||
| ==Demographics== | |||
| {{main|Demographics of the European Union}} | |||
| <!-- The above are in alphabetical order. | |||
| Please note that the design of this table was agreed after considerable discussion. Please submit proposed changes to the discussion page before editing. --> | |||
| {| class="wikitable sortable" align=right style="text-align: right; line-height: 1.4em; margin-left: 20px;" | |||
| |+ {{nowrap|Population of the 5 largest cities in the EU<ref>LUZ figures all for 2004{{cite web| url = http://www.urbanaudit.org/DataAccessed.aspx| title = Data that can be accessed| accessdate = 2008-07-31| work = Urban Audit| publisher = European Commission, Directorate-General Regional Policy, Unit D2 Urban Actions}}<br> | |||
| Urban areas: all figures for 2005 (est.): | |||
| {{cite web | url = http://www.insee.fr/fr/ffc/chifcle_fiche.asp?ref_id=CMPTEF01103&tab_id=18| title = Pays, villes d'Europe et du monde| accessdate = 2008-02-06| publisher = InsInstitut National de la Statistiqueet des Études Économiques}}<br> | |||
| City limits figures: <br> | |||
| London as at 1 July 2006: | |||
| {{cite web| url = http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Expodata/Spreadsheets/D9664.csv | title = Mid-2006 Population Estimates |format=CSV |accessdate = 2008-02-06|| publisher =] }}<br> | |||
| Berlin as at September 2007: | |||
| {{cite web| url = http://www.statistik-portal.de/Statistik-Portal/de_zs01_bl.asp | title =Bevölkerung Berlin | accessdate = 2008-02-06|| publisher = Statistische Ämter des Bundes und der Länder (German statistics office)}}<br> | |||
| Madrid as at 1 january 2007: | |||
| {{cite web| url = http://www.ine.es/jaxi/tabla.do | title =Cifras de población | accessdate = 2008-02-06|| publisher =Instituto Nacional de Estadística (Spanish national statistics office) }}<br> | |||
| Paris as at 1 July 2005: | |||
| {{cite web| url = http://www.insee.fr/fr/recensement/nouv_recens/resultats/grandes-villes.htm#P | title =Résultats des enquêtes annuelles de recensement de 2004 à 2007 pour les grandes villes | accessdate = 2008-02-06|| publisher =Institut National de la Statistique | |||
| et des Études Économiques (French national institute for statistics) }}<br> | |||
| Rome as at 31 December 2007 | |||
| {{cite web| url = http://demo.istat.it/bilmens2007gen/index02.html| title = Bilancio demografico Anno 2007 | accessdate = 2008-02-06|| publisher = ISTAT (Italian national statistics office)}}<br> | |||
| </ref> | |||
| }} | |||
| | style="background:#f0f0f0; text-align:center" align=center |'''City''' | |||
| ! style="background:#f0f0f0; text-align:center" align=center |]<br /><small>(2006)</small><br> | |||
| ! style="background:#f0f0f0; text-align:center" align=center |'''Density <center>/km²</center>''' <small>(city limits)</small><br> | |||
| ! style="background:#f0f0f0; text-align:center" align=center |'''Density <center>/sq mi</center>''' <small>(city limits)</small><br> | |||
| ! style="background:#f0f0f0; text-align:center" align=center |] <br /><small>(2005)</small> | |||
| ! style="background:#f0f0f0; text-align:center" align=center |]<br /><small>(2004)</small> | |||
| |- | |||
| ! align=left | ''']''' | |||
| |align=right | 3,410,000|| 3,815<!--/km2-->||9,880<!--/sqmi-->|| 3,761,000|| 4,971,331 | |||
| |- | |||
| ! align=left | ''']''' | |||
| |align=right | 7,512,400|| 4,761<!--/km2-->||12,330<!--/sqmi-->|| 9,332,000|| 11,917,000 | |||
| |- | |||
| ! align=left | ''']''' | |||
| |align=right | 3,228,359|| 5,198<!--/km2-->||13,460<!--/sqmi-->|| 4,858,000|| 5,804,829 | |||
| |- | |||
| ! align=left | ''']''' | |||
| |align=right | 2,153,600||24,672<!--/km2-->||63,900<!--/sqmi-->|| 9,928,000|| 11,089,124 | |||
| |- | |||
| ! align=left | ''']''' | |||
| |align=right | 2,708,395 || 2,105<!--/km2-->||5,450<!--/sqmi-->|| 2,867,000|| 3,457,690 | |||
| |} | |||
| The combined population of all 27 member countries has been estimated at 495,128,529 in January 2007,<ref name="Eurostat Population">{{cite web |title=Total population|publisher=] |author=] |url=http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page?_pageid=1996,39140985&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&screen=detailref&language=en&product=Yearlies_new_population&root=Yearlies_new_population/C/C1/C11/caa10000 |accessdate=2007-07-14}}</ref> this in comparison to approximately 710 million ] on the continent as a whole. There is some increase in population expected, primarily due to net ], present in most European countries.<ref name="Press Pop Eurostat">{{cite web| title=EU25 population rises until 2025, then falls| publisher=] |author= ]| date=]|url=http://intranet.icea.es/pensiones/documentacion/Proy_demog_2004_2050.pdf|format=PDF|doi=|accessdate=2007-07-14}}</ref><ref name="Migration Info">{{cite web| last=Muenz| first=Rainer| title=Europe: Population and Migration in 2005| publisher=Migration Information| year=2006| url=http://www.migrationinformation.org/Feature/display.cfm?ID=402 |accessdate=2007-07-14}}</ref> | |||
| The EU's population is 7.3% of the world total, yet the EU covers just 3% of the earth's land, amounting to a ] of {{convert|114|/km2|/sqmi|abbr=on}} (2006) making the EU one of the ]. One third of EU citizens live in cities of over a million people, rising to 80% living in ]s generally.<ref name="urban dens">{{cite web |title=A densely populated area|publisher=Telsat Guide |url=http://telsat.belspo.be/beo/en/profs/europe-population.asp?section=6.3.3 |accessdate=2007-07-22}}</ref> The EU is home to more ] than any other region in the world.<ref>{{cite web|title=The World According to GaWC| publisher=Loughborough University| url=http://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/citymap.html |accessdate=2007-06-29}}</ref> It contains 16 cities with populations of over one million. | |||
| Besides many large cities, the EU also includes several densely populated regions that have no single core but have emerged from the connection of several cites and are now encompassing large metropolitan areas. The largest are ] having approximately 10.5 million inhabitants (], ], ] et al.), ] approx. 7 million (], ], ], ] et al.), ] approx. 5.8 million (], ] et al.), the ] approx. 5.5 million (urban area in between ], ], ] and ]), the ] approx. 3.7 million (], ] and ], ]), and the ] approx. 3.5 million (], ] et al.).<ref name="Eurostat Urban zones">{{cite web |title=Indicators for larger urban zones 1999 - 2003 |publisher=] |author=] |url=http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page?_pageid=1996,45323734&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&screen=welcomeref&open=/&product=EU_MASTER_urban_audit&depth=2 |accessdate=2007-01-25}}</ref> | |||
| ===Languages=== | |||
| {{main|Languages of the European Union}} | |||
| {| class="wikitable sortable" style="line-height: 0.9em; border:1px #000000;" cellspacing="0" align="right" style="margin-left: 1em; text-align:right;" | |||
| |+ '''Languages''' (2006)<ref name="Eurobarometer Languages"/> | |||
| |- | |||
| ! width="40px" | Language | |||
| ! width="40px" | ] | |||
| ! width="40px" | Total | |||
| |- style="line-height: 1.1em" | |||
| |align=left |] | |||
| |13% | |||
| |'''51%''' | |||
| |- style="line-height: 1.1em" | |||
| |align=left |] | |||
| |'''18%''' | |||
| |32% | |||
| |- style="line-height: 1.1em" | |||
| |align=left |] | |||
| |13% | |||
| |26% | |||
| |- style="line-height: 1.1em" | |||
| |align=left |] | |||
| |13% | |||
| |16% | |||
| |- style="line-height: 1.1em" | |||
| |align=left |] | |||
| |9% | |||
| |15% | |||
| |- style="line-height: 1.1em" | |||
| |align=left |] | |||
| |9% | |||
| |10% | |||
| |- style="line-height: 1.1em" | |||
| |align=left |] | |||
| |7% | |||
| |8% | |||
| |- style="line-height: 1.1em" | |||
| |align=left |] | |||
| |5% | |||
| |6% | |||
| |- style="line-height: 1.1em" | |||
| |align=left |] | |||
| |3% | |||
| |3% | |||
| |- style="line-height: 1.1em" | |||
| |align=left |] | |||
| |3% | |||
| |3% | |||
| |- style="line-height: 1.1em" | |||
| |align=left |] | |||
| |2% | |||
| |3% | |||
| |- style="line-height: 1.1em" | |||
| |align=left |] | |||
| |2% | |||
| |3% | |||
| |- style="line-height: 1.1em" | |||
| |align=left |] | |||
| |2% | |||
| |2% | |||
| |- style="line-height: 1.1em" | |||
| |align=left |] | |||
| |2% | |||
| |2% | |||
| |- style="line-height: 1.1em" | |||
| |align=left |] | |||
| |1% | |||
| |1% | |||
| |- style="line-height: 1.1em" class="sortbottom" | |||
| | align=left colspan="2"|{{nowrap|Other EU Languages}} | |||
| | ~6% | |||
| |- style="line-height: 1.1em" class="sortbottom" | |||
| | align=left colspan="2"|Minority Languages | |||
| | ~16% | |||
| |- style="line-height:1em; background:#F2F2F2" class="sortbottom" | |||
| | colspan=3 align="left"|<small>L1: Native language<br> Total: EU citizens able to conduct<br />conversation in this language</small> | |||
| |} | |||
| Among the many languages and dialects used in the EU, it has 23 ] and ]s: ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ].<ref name="Official Languages">{{cite web |title=Council Regulation (EC) No 1791/2006 of 20 November 2006|publisher=] |author=] |work=] |date=] |url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:31958R0001:EN:NOT |accessdate=2007-02-02}}</ref> Important documents, such as legislation, are translated into every official language. The European Parliament provides translation into all languages for documents and its plenary sessions. Some institutions use only a handful of languages as internal working languages.<ref>{{cite web|title=Languages and Europe. FAQ: Is every document generated by the EU translated into all the official languages?|publisher=]|year=2004|url=http://europa.eu/languages/en/document/59#5 |accessdate=2007-02-03}}</ref> ] is the responsibility of member states, but EU institutions promote the learning of other languages.<ref>{{cite web |title=Consolidated version of the Treaty establishing the European Community, Articles 149 to 150 |publisher=] |author=] |work=] |year=2004|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/treaties/dat/12002E/htm/C_2002325EN.003301.html#anArt150 |accessdate=2007-02-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=European Parliament Fact Sheets: 4.16.3. Language policy|publisher=] |author=]|year=2004|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/facts/4_16_3_en.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-02-03}}</ref> | |||
| German is the most widely spoken mother tongue (about 88.7 million people ]), followed by English, French, and Italian. English is by far the most spoken foreign language at over half (51%) of the population, with German and French following. 56% of European citizens are able to engage in a conversation in a language other than their mother tongue.<ref name="Eurobarometer Languages">{{cite web|title=Special Eurobarometer 243: Europeans and their Languages (Survey)|publisher=] |author=]|year=2006|url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_243_en.pdf| format=PDF |accessdate=2007-02-03}}<br />{{cite web|title=Special Eurobarometer 243: Europeans and their Languages (Executive Summary)|publisher=] |author=]|year=2006|url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_243_sum_en.pdf|format=PDF|doi=|accessdate=2007-02-03}}</ref> Most official languages of the EU belong to the ] ], except Estonian, Finnish, and Hungarian, which belong to the ] language family, and Maltese, which is a ]. Most EU official languages are written in the ] except Bulgarian, written in ], and Greek, written in the ].<ref name="Many tongues, one family">{{cite web|title=Many tongues, one family. Languages in the European Union|publisher=] |author=] |year=2004|url=http://ec.europa.eu/publications/booklets/move/45/en.pdf|format=PDF |accessdate=2007-02-03}}</ref> | |||
| Besides the 23 official languages, there are about 150 ] and ]s, spoken by up to 50 million people.<ref name="Many tongues, one family"/> Of these, only the Spanish regional languages (], ] and ]), ] and ] <ref name="The Herald">"". Times Online.</ref> can be used by citizens in communication with the main European institutions.<ref name="Mercator">{{cite web|title=Mercator Newsletter - n. 29|publisher=Mercator Central|year=2006|url=http://www.mercator-central.org/newsletter/newsletter29.htm#2|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-02-01}}</ref> Although EU programmes can support regional and minority languages, the protection of ] is a matter for the individual member states. | |||
| Besides the many regional languages, a broad variety of languages from other parts of the world are spoken by ] communities in the member states: ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ] are spoken in many parts of the EU. Many older immigrant communities are ], being fluent in both the local (EU) language and in that of their ancestral community. Migrant languages have no formal status or recognition in the EU or in the EU countries, although from 2007 they are eligible for support from the language teaching section of the EU's ].<ref name="Many tongues, one family"/> | |||
| ===Religion=== | |||
| {{main|Religion in the European Union}} | |||
| The EU is a ] body, with no formal connections to any ] and no mention of religion in any current or proposed treaty.<ref name="Consolidated Treaties"/> Discussion over the draft texts of the European Constitution and later the Treaty of Lisbon included proposals to mention ] and/or ] in the preamble of the text, but the idea faced opposition and was dropped.<ref name="EUO Merkel God">{{cite web |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/europe/eu-celebrates-its-50th-birthday--with-a-row-about-religion-440976.html |title=EU celebrates 50th birthday-with a row about religion | publisher= ] |first=Stephen |last=Castle |date=2007-03-21| accessdate=2008-03-04 }}</ref> | |||
| ] | |||
| Emphasis on Christianity stems from this being the dominant ], and thus of the EU. It divides between ], a wide range of ] churches (especially in northern Europe) and ] (in south eastern Europe). Other religions such as ] and ] are also represented in the EU population. The EU had an estimated Muslim population of 16 million in 2006.<ref name="Islam.de SecE">{{cite web|title=In Europa leben gegenwärtig knapp 53 millionen Muslime|publisher=Islam.de|date=]|url=http://islam.de/8368.php|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-07-21}}</ref>, and an estimated ] of over a million<ref>Jewish population figures may be unreliable. {{cite web| url = http://www.jafi.org.il/education/100/concepts/demography/demjpop.html | title = World Jewish Population (2002)| accessdate = 2007-05-03| author = Sergio DellaPergola| work = American Jewish Year Book| publisher = The Jewish Agency for Israel}}</ref> | |||
| ] opinion polls organised by ] show that the majority of EU citizens have some form of belief system but that only 21% see it as important. There is increasing ] or ] among the general population in Europe, with falling church attendance and membership in many countries.<ref name="About SecE">{{cite web |publisher=] |url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2005-02-21-god-europe_x.htm |title=What place for God in Europe |accessdate=2008-03-04 |date=2005-02-22 |first=Peter |last=Ford}}</ref> The 2005 Eurobarometer showed that of the European citizens (of the 25 members at that time), 52% believed in ''a'' god, 27% in ''some sort of spirit or life force'' and 18% had no form of belief. The countries where the fewest people reported a religious belief were the Czech Republic (19%) and Estonia (16%),<ref name="Eurostat Religion">{{cite web|title=Eurobarometer 225: Social values, Science & Technology|publisher=] |author=]|year=2005 |url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_225_report_en.pdf|format=PDF |accessdate=2007-07-21}}</ref> The most religious countries are Malta (95%; predominantly Roman Catholic), and Cyprus and Romania both with about 90% of citizens believing in god. Across the EU, belief was higher among women, increased with age, those with religious upbringing, those with the lowest levels of formal education, those leaning towards ], and those reflecting more upon philosophical and ethical issues.<ref name="Eurostat Religion"/> | |||
| Other significant religions present in the EU territories are ] and ] with the latter having a strong presence in the ].<ref></ref> | |||
| ==Culture== | |||
| {{see|Culture of Europe|Cultural policies of the European Union}} | |||
| ] is one of the two ] for 2008.]] | |||
| Policies affecting cultural matters are mainly set by individual member states. | |||
| Cultural co-operation between member states has been a concern of the EU since its inclusion as a community competency in the ].<ref name="Bozoki">{{cite web |last=Bozoki |first=Andras |title=Cultural Policy and Politics in the European Union |publisher=IECOB, Institute for Central Eastern and Balkan Europe |url=http://137.204.115.130/activities/download/Bozoki/Cultural%20Policy%20and%20Politics%20in%20the%20European%20Union.pdf |format=PDF |accessdate=2007-07-13}}</ref> Actions taken in the cultural area by the EU include the ] 7-year programme,<ref name="Bozoki"/> the ] event,<ref name="Culture Month">{{cite web |title=European Culture Month |author=]|publisher=] |url=http://ec.europa.eu/culture/eac/ecocs/present_cap/retrospective_en.html |accessdate=2008-02-27}}</ref> the ] programme,<ref name="Media Plus">{{cite web |title=Media programme |publisher=] |date=] |author=]|url=http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/media/index_en.htm |accessdate=2007-07-13}}</ref> orchestras such as the ]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.euyo.org.uk/about/history.htm |title=An Overture to the European Union Youth Orchestra |publisher=The European Youth Orchestra |accessdate=2007-08-12}}</ref> and the ] programme{{ndash}} where one or more cities in the EU are selected for one year to assist the cultural development of that city.<ref name="Capital Culture">{{cite web| title=European Capitals of Culture |publisher=] |author=]|url=http://ec.europa.eu/culture/eac/ecocs/present_cap/present_cap_en.html |accessdate=2008-02-27}}</ref> | |||
| In addition, the EU gives grants to cultural projects (totalling 233 in 2004) and has launched a Web portal dedicated to Europe and culture, responding to the European Council's expressed desire to see the Commission and the member states "promote the networking of cultural information to enable all citizens to access European cultural content by the most advanced technological means".<ref name="Culture Portal">{{cite web |title=Cultural heritage as a vehicle of cultural identity |publisher=] | |||
| |date=2006-05-03 |accessdate=2008-03-04 |url=http://ec.europa.eu/culture/portal/activities/heritage/cultural_heritage_vehic_en.htm }}</ref> | |||
| Within the EU, politicians, such as the ], appeal to a shared European historical/cultural heritage, including Greek philosophy, Roman law, the Judeo-Christian heritage, and a tradition of freedom and democracy, but also negative elements such as the ]s.<ref>For example: {{cite web | url = http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?language=EN&type=IM-PRESS&reference=20070208IPR02888| title =Priority is dialogue for partnership and tolerance | accessdate = 2008-02-27 | author = Hans-Gert Poettering| authorlink = Hans-Gert Pöttering| date = 2007-02-13 | work = Inaugural speech by the new president of the European Parliament | publisher = ], ] | quote ="The greatest success has been overcoming the division of Europe. But shared values have prevailed. Europeans should be proud of what they have achieved by their labours over the centuries in terms of values, freedom, law and democracy. It has been a long haul. We know that our European roots lie in Greek philosophy, Roman law, the Judeo-Christian heritage, the Enlightenment – in other words, our shared European culture. But there have also been tragic European civil wars, and in the 20th century the totalitarian ideologies, with their disdain for humanity, and then, in 1945, the courage of the founding fathers in following the path of forgiveness and reconciliation, in building a new, better, more peaceful, shared Europe." }}</ref> | |||
| ===Sport=== | |||
| {{see|Sport in Europe|Sport policies of the European Union}} | |||
| ], ])]] | |||
| Sport is mainly the responsibility of individual member states or other international organisations rather than that of the EU. However, some EU policies have had an impact on sport, such as the free movement of workers which was at the core of the ], which prohibited national football leagues from imposing quotas on foreign players with European citizenship.<ref name="BBC Boseman">{{cite web|last=Fordyce|first=Tom|title=10 years since Bosman |publisher=]|date=]|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4528732.stm |accessdate=2007-07-13}}</ref> | |||
| Under the proposed ] sports would be given a special status which would exempt this sector from much of the EU's economic rules. This followed lobbying by governing organisations such as the ] and ], due to objections over the applications of free market principles to sport which led to an increasing gap between rich and poor clubs.<ref name="IHT RT">{{cite web| title=IOC, FIFA presidents welcomes new EU treaty, call it breakthrough to give sports more power|publisher=]|date=]|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/10/19/sports/EU-SPT-OLY-EU-Treaty.php |accessdate=2007-10-21}}</ref> | |||
| Several European sports associations are consulted in the formulation of the EU's sports policy, including ], ], ], ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Statement of European team sports |publisher=UEFA.com|date=]|url=http://www.uefa.com/multimediafiles/download/uefa/keytopics/560675_download.pdf |format=PDF |accessdate=2007-10-21}}</ref> All EU member states and their respective national sport associations participate in European sport organisations such as ].<ref>{{cite web|title=UEFA |publisher=UEFA.com|date=] |url=http://www.uefa.com/ |accessdate=2007-10-21}}</ref> | |||
| ==See also== | |||
| {{European Union topics}} | |||
| ==References== | |||
| <!-- Please DO NOT use a scroll template/form/table for the reflink, please read warning on the scroll template page. Thank you. --> | |||
| {{reflist|3}} | |||
| ==Further reading== | |||
| <div class="references-small"> | |||
| *{{cite book | last = Craig | first = Paul | authorlink = Paul Craig | coauthors = Gráinne de Búrca| title = EU Law, Text, Cases and Materials | edition = 4th ed.| year = 2007| publisher = ] | location = Oxford, New York | isbn = 978-0-19-927389-8}} | |||
| *{{cite book | last = Steiner | first = Josephine | coauthors = Lorna Woods; Christian Twigg-Flesner | title = EU Law | edition = 9th ed. | year = 2006 | publisher = Oxford University Press | location = Oxford, New York | isbn = 978-0-19-927959-3 }} | |||
| *{{cite book | last = Barnard | first = Catherine | title = The Substantive Law of the EU: The Four Freedoms | edition = 2nd ed. | year = 2007 | publisher = Oxford University Press | location = Oxford, New York | isbn = 978-0-19-929839-6 }} | |||
| * {{cite web | url = http://aei.pitt.edu/455/01/Jenson-Saint-Martin-EUSA_2003_1_.pdf | |||
| |title = Is Europe still sui generis?, 27-29 March 2003, Nashville, Tennessee|accessdate = 2007-11-13 | last = Jenson | first = Jane | coauthors = Denis Saint-Martin | year = 2003 | month = March | |||
| |format=PDF| publisher = Eighth Biennial International Conference, European Union Studies Association}} | |||
| * ''Access to European Union: law, economics, policies'' by Nicholas Moussis (European Study Service, 2007 – 16th ed.) ISBN 978-2-930119-43-4 | |||
| * ''Europe Recast: A History of European Union'' by ] (Palgrave Macmillan, 2004) ISBN 978-0-333-98734-6 | |||
| * ''Understanding the European Union 3rd ed'' by ] (Palgrave Macmillan, 2005) ISBN 978-1-4039-4451-1 | |||
| * ''The Institutions of the European Union'' edited by John Peterson, Michael Shackleton, 2nd edition (Oxford University Press, 2006) ISBN 0198700520 | |||
| * ''The European Dream: How Europe's Vision of the Future Is Quietly Eclipsing the American Dream'' by Jeremy Rifkin (Jeremy P. Tarcher, 2004) ISBN 978-1-58542-345-3 | |||
| * ''The European Union Collective: Enemy of its Member States'' by ] (Edward Harle Limited, 2002) ISBN 1-899798-01-3 | |||
| * {{PDFlink||132 KB}} by ], Singapore Yearbook of International Law, Vol. 9 (2005), Accessed 25 January 2007 | |||
| </div> | |||
| ==External links== | |||
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| |valign="top"|'''<span style="font-size: 9pt;">Government</span>''' | |||
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| | width="50"| | |||
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| '''<span style="font-size: 9pt;">Overviews and data</span>''' | |||
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| * <span class="plainlinks"></span> 50 years of artistic creation and cultural life from the 27 countries of the European Union | |||
| |} | |||
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