9: European Union

• EU formed to promote peace and stability through economic integration after WW2
• Europe's mission in 21st Century:

  • Maintain and build peace
  • Members cooperate
  • Citizens can live in security
  • Promote solidarity
  • Preserve European identity and diversity
• Growth of EU:

  • 1957 - Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxemburg, Netherlands
  • 1973 - Denmark, Ireland, UK
  • 1981 - Greece
  • 1986 - Spain, Portugal
  • 1995 - Austria, Finland, Sweden
  • 2004 - Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia
  • 2007 - Romania, Bulgaria
  • 2013 - Croatia
• Sources of EU Law:

  • Treaties = international agreement, e.g Treaty of Paris = members share ownership of raw materials of weapons of war 1952, Treaty of Amsterdam = restructure institutions for expansion 1999
  • Regulations = All members will have to follow the law (binding), e.g Tachographs: Commissions V UK
  • Directives = law made for just one nation that has to be approved by the European Committee, e.g UK Restriction of use of hazardous substances in electrical equipment
• Institutions in EU: Court Of EU


  Every government of each nation sends a representative to the council(= the main EU law-making body), Council set up to promote democracy and protect human rights
• Institutions in EU: Commission


  28 commissioners who act independently for their nation, Puts new proposals for Parliament and Council, ensures Treaties are followed, adopts EU budgets
• Institutions in EU: European Parliament


  Electorates of nations Select EU MPs every 5 years, decide on international agreements, decide whether to admit new nations, review commissions' work
• Institutions in EU: Court of Justice of EU

  28 judges, 9 advocates general, Luxemburg, decisions reported in European Courts Report, ensure equal law across all nations, hears cases to review nation's actions under Treaties