TheEuropean Union is agroup of 27 member states from all over Europe. Theaim of theEU is to create apolitical and economic community across Europe, so that there are trade and government agreements between thecountries and themajority use a single currency; theeuro. Another important principle is theopen border policy. This means people from the EU are free to travel, work or live in other member states without needing avisa.
zz How does theEU assist member countries?
While some people think that theEU is abureaucratic nightmare, it works with and assists member countries in many ways. Asignificant portion of their budget is dedicated to promoting / supporting agriculture in member countries and protecting theenvironment. TheEU also promotes growth and development in less wealthy member states, as well as providing funds for transportation and infrastructure, energy development and scientific research.
zz What is the Schengen Agreement?
The Schengen Agreement was adopted in 1985 between five nations and later expanded to include most continental European nations. There are no border controls within the Schengen Agreement area, so EU citizens can travel from one country to another without a passport. Not all EU members are part of the Schengen Agreement (e.g. the UK and Ireland did not sign it) and not all Schengen States are in the EU (e.g.Switzerland and Norway).
zz Is there acentre or acapital of theEU?
Brussels, located / found in Belgium, is theunofficial / de facto capital of theEuropean Union. It is considered to be theadministrative / executive capital. It is where theEuropean Commission, Council of theEuropean Union and theEuropean Council sit. Strasbourg, located in France, is theofficial seat of theEuropean Parliament / is seen as thelegislative capital of Europe. Luxembourg is theseat / location of theEuropean Court of Justice, theEuropean Commission and theEuropean Investment Bank as well as other European institutions. It is viewed / seen as thejudicial and financial capital of theEU. TheEuropean Central Bank is located / found / based in Frankfurt in Germany.
zz Who are/arent members of theEU?
TheEU consists of nearly / almost half abillion people and covers over 4 million square kilometres. Countries must fulfil theCopenhagen criteria(established in 1993) to be considered for membership in theEU. Thecriteriastates that members must have astable democratic government, respect for minorities and human rights, and acompetitive and functional market economy. Norway, Switzerland and Lichtenstein are not full EU members by choice, but they cooperate economically and politically. Croatiais set to become the28th member of theEU on July 1, 2013. TheCzech Republic joined theEU in 2004. zz Who is theleader of theEuropean Union? Since its beginning, theEU has had arotating presidency in which member countries take turns being in charge for six months at atime. However, this position / role / function is mostly symbolic. TheEuropean Council consists of heads of state from all member countries, and they propose / suggest issues to be addressed / talked about at future meetings. TheEuropean Commission acts as theexecutive branch of thegovernment and works directly with thetwo legislative houses: TheEuropean Parliament and theCouncil of theEuropean Union. These two houses actually make and vote on laws, similar to Parliaments in other countries. Jos Manuel Duro Barroso from Portugal is the current President of the European Commission.
zz What are some other important cities in
theEuropean Union? London in theUK is thelargest city by population in theEuropean Union. Over 12 million people live in theUKs capital and it is well-known for being avery cosmopolitan city with over 300 different languages being spoken there. It is also amajor centre for finance. Paris is thecapital of France and is themost popular city for tourists. It is famous for its culture and fashion and is home to such well known landmarks / sites as theEiffel Tower, and theLouvre art gallery. Berlin is thecapital of Germany and is known for its culture / arts / film festival and nightlife. You can visit thefamous Brandenburg Gate and Berlin Wall, which was once asymbol of theCold War. zz What is theEuropean Capital of Culture? Whatrole does it play? TheEuropean Capital of Culture is atitle given to acity for ayear. It is achance for thechosen city to get some money from theEU to promote cultural events. Thecity uses thismoney for regeneration / to promote arts events / to attract tourists / to create awareness of thecity throughout theEU. In 2013 two cities are holding thetitle: Marseille in France and Koice in Slovakia. MayJune 2013