Building a super-economy on Building a super-economy on the European continentthe European continent

European UnionEuropean Union

What is the What is the EU?EU?The European The European Union is a unique, Union is a unique, treaty-based, treaty-based, institutional institutional framework that framework that defines and defines and manages manages economic and economic and political political cooperation cooperation among its fifteen among its fifteen European member European member countries.countries.

EU ParliamentEU Parliament

TradeTradeTrade centers on the Trade centers on the exchange of exchange of goods and/or and/or services. Exchanges may take Exchanges may take place between two place between two parties (bilateral trade) or amongst more parties (bilateral trade) or amongst more than two parties (multilateral trade). In its than two parties (multilateral trade). In its original form trade necessarily used original form trade necessarily used barter and the exchange of goods and services and recognized equal value desirable to both parties.

Modern economyModern economyModern traders Modern traders generally negotiate generally negotiate through the use of a through the use of a medium of exchange, medium of exchange, i.e. money, and rarely i.e. money, and rarely through barter: as a through barter: as a result one can separate result one can separate buying and earning buying and earning from selling. The from selling. The invention of money invention of money greatly simplified and greatly simplified and promoted the promoted the development of trade.development of trade.

"Free markets "Free markets and open trade and open trade are the best are the best weapons weapons against poverty, against poverty, disease and disease and tyranny," said tyranny," said President President George W. Bush speaking about a pursuing a George W. Bush speaking about a pursuing a free trade agreement with all the countries of free trade agreement with all the countries of Central America at the World Affairs Council Central America at the World Affairs Council National Conference held at the Organization of National Conference held at the Organization of American States in Wash., D. C., Jan. 16.American States in Wash., D. C., Jan. 16.

Free TradeFree Trade

As of January 1, 2002, the euro is the official As of January 1, 2002, the euro is the official legal tender of twelve of the EU countries legal tender of twelve of the EU countries replacing their national currencies. replacing their national currencies.

In addition to the active In addition to the active participation of the EU participation of the EU member states, the member states, the European Union has European Union has been a permanent been a permanent observer at the United observer at the United Nations since the mid-Nations since the mid-1970s. Both 1970s. Both organizations share organizations share common goals in common goals in encouraging encouraging international peace and international peace and humanitarian humanitarian development.development.

Humanitarian developmentHumanitarian development

International International PeacePeace

The EU has joined the UN in a number of programs promoting international peace and security; developing stronger relations among nations; and cooperating in solving international, economic, social, cultural, human rights, trade, and humanitarian problems.

Common Agricultural Common Agricultural PolicyPolicy

The The Common Agricultural PolicyCommon Agricultural Policy ( (CAPCAP) is a ) is a system of European Union agricultural system of European Union agricultural subsidies and programmes. It represents 62% subsidies and programmes. It represents 62% of the EU's budget, €49.8 billion in 2006 .of the EU's budget, €49.8 billion in 2006 .

EU labor rulesEU labor rulesFor many of the EU For many of the EU candidate countries candidate countries in eastern Europe, in eastern Europe, unemployment in unemployment in agriculture is a agriculture is a significant problem.significant problem.

Quick guide to EU Quick guide to EU ConstitutionConstitution

• It is a rule book It is a rule book setting out what the setting out what the EU can and cannot do.EU can and cannot do.

• Lays down EU values Lays down EU values & objectives.& objectives.

• Lays down deeper EU Lays down deeper EU integration, of which integration, of which some argue will turn some argue will turn the Union into a the Union into a superstate.superstate.

Changes under the Changes under the ConstitutionConstitution• Full time president ( Force or figurehead?) instead of rotating Full time president ( Force or figurehead?) instead of rotating

every 6 months.every 6 months.• Reduced majority needed on decisions.Reduced majority needed on decisions.• Re commits to foreign policy – believes in setting up a Re commits to foreign policy – believes in setting up a

common defence policy with EU foreign minister.common defence policy with EU foreign minister.• National Parliaments can still object to EU laws, though they National Parliaments can still object to EU laws, though they

have no power to overturn them.have no power to overturn them.• States can still opt in & out of initiatives.States can still opt in & out of initiatives.• States still have the right to veto over tax, defence & foreign States still have the right to veto over tax, defence & foreign

policies.policies.• Arguments are mainly over forming a United States of Europe.Arguments are mainly over forming a United States of Europe.

Which of the following statements Which of the following statements most accurately reflects public most accurately reflects public opinion in Europe toward a single opinion in Europe toward a single currency?currency?

A) A) The majority of European nations did not favor the use of the Euro.

B) Countries of Eastern Europe had the highest percentage of support for the Euro.

C) In general the majority of countries in Europe had more people in favor of the Euro than against it.

D) The countries of far Northern Europe favored the use of a single currency.

Should the people Should the people understand what is understand what is happening happening with the with the EU? EU? Why Why would would Mommet Mommet be be against against it?it?

LinksLinks• http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44250000/gif/http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44250000/gif/

_44250418_eu_agriculture_gr203.gif_44250418_eu_agriculture_gr203.gif• http://www.morethanorganic.com/organic-labellinghttp://www.morethanorganic.com/organic-labelling• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Agricultural_Policyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Agricultural_Policy• http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/index_en.htmhttp://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/index_en.htm