1、The European UnionTHE EUROPEAN UNION50 Years of Peace,Prosperity and Partnership欧洲联盟50年The European UnionCelebrating the European Union:A Half Century of Change and Progress Since the creation of the EU half a century ago,Europe has enjoyed the longest period of peace in its history.European politic
2、al integration is unprecedented in history.EU enlargement has helped overcome the division of Europe contributing to peace,prosperity,and stability across the continent.A single market and a common currency conditions for companies and consumers.EU has united the citizens of Europe while preserving
3、Europes diversity.European UnionUnited in diversityThe European UnionWhat is the European Union?Shared values:liberty,democracy,respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms,and the rule of law.Largest economic body in the world.Worlds most successful model for advancing peace and democracy.A un
4、ique institution Member States voluntarily cede national sovereignty in many areas to carry out common policies and governance.Not a super-state to replace existing states,nor just an organization for international cooperation.Worlds most open market for goods and commodities from developing countri
5、es.27730490millionMember StatesCombined population ofEU Member StatesPercent of worldspopulationPercent of global GDP55Percent of combinedworldwide OfficialDevelopment AssistanceThe European UnionEU InstitutionsEuropean Commission 27 Commissioners,representing the European perspective,each responsib
6、le for a specific policy area.EUs executive branch proposes legislation,manages Unions day-to-day business and budget,and enforces rules.Negotiates trade agreements and manages Europes multilateral development cooperation.Council of the European Union EUs main decision-making body,comprised of minis
7、ters of 27 Member States,representing Member States point of view.Decides on foreign policy issues.Council presidency rotates among Member States every six months.European Commission President Jos Manuel BarrosoThe European UnionEU InstitutionsEuropean Parliament Voice of European citizens members e
8、lected for five-year terms.With the Council,passes EU laws and adopts EU budgets.Approves EU Commissioners.European Court of Justice Highest EU judicial authority.Ensures all EU laws are interpreted and applied correctly and uniformly.Can act as an independent policy maker but unlike the U.S.Supreme
9、 Court,the ECJ can only deal with matters covered by the Treaties.European Parliament in sessionThe European UnionEuropean Central Bank The European Central Bank(ECB)is the central bank for Europes single currency,the euro.The ECBs main task is to maintain the euros purchasing power and thus price s
10、tability in the euro area.The euro area comprises the 15 European Union countries that have introduced the euro since 1999.The ECB operates independently from Member State governments.The euro was introduced in 1999The European UnionUnited in Diversity-The uroThe European UnionThe uroIn 1999,the eur
11、o area was established as a currency in eleven of the then fifteen EU Member States.Of the 27 EU Member States today,fifteen have adopted the euro.One of the striking benefits of a single European currency are low interest rates due to a high degree of price stability.The euro is as stable and credi
12、ble as the best-performing currencies previously used in the euro area countries.The European Union1951:In the aftermath of World War II,the aim was to secure peace among Europes victorious and vanquished nations and bring them together as equals,cooperating within shared institutions.Based on a pla
13、n by French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman.Six founding countries Belgium,the Federal Republic of Germany,France,Italy,Luxembourg and the Netherlands signed a treaty to run heavy industries(coal and steel)under common management.European Coal and Steel CommunityJean Monnet and other leaders with th
14、e first“European”ingot of steelThe European UnionTreaty of Rome The six founding countries expanded cooperation to other economic sectors,creating the European Economic Community(EEC)or“common market.”As a result,people,goods,services,and capital today move freely across the Union.1957:Signing of th
15、e Treaty of RomeThe European Union1951Founding Members BelgiumFranceGermanyItalyLuxembourgNetherlandsThe European Union1973 DenmarkIrelandUnited KingdomThe European Union1981 GreeceThe European Union1986 PortugalSpainThe European UnionNovember 1989Fall of theBerlin Wallsets thestage forunifyingEurop
16、e andEU enlargementThe European Union1995 AustriaFinlandSwedenThe European Union2004 CyprusCzech RepublicEstoniaHungaryLatviaLithuaniaMaltaPolandSlovakiaSloveniaThe European Union2007 BulgariaRomaniaThe European UnionCandidate Countries CroatiaFormer Yugoslav Republic of MacedoniaTurkeyPotential Can
17、didate CountriesAlbaniaBosnia&HerzegovinaMontenegroSerbia including Kosovo under UN Security Council Resolution 1244The European Union50 Years of EU IntegrationEnlargement has:Inspired reforms and consolidated common principles of liberty,democracy,respect for human rights,fundamental freedoms,the r
18、ule of law,and market economy.Enhanced the EUs weight in the world and made it a stronger and more attractive international partner.“Enlargement has been a success story for the European Union and Europe as a whole.It has helped to overcome the division of Europe and contributed to peace and stabili
19、ty throughout the continent.”European Council Declaration Dec.15,200619572007Member States627Population174 million493 millionLanguages423The European UnionThe EU is a global player.Its soft power promotes stability,prosperity,democracy and human rights,delivers concrete results in the fight to eradi
20、cate poverty,and in achieving sustainable development.UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon,High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana,and EU Commissioner Benita Ferrero-WaldnerThe EU in the World The European UnionAddressing Global Challenges Peace&Security Works for gl
21、obal peace and security alongside the United States and multilateral organizations including NATO and the United Nations.Undertakes humanitarian and peacekeeping missions and has provided military forces for crisis management around the globe.Counterterrorism&Homeland Security Taken steps to improve
22、 intelligence sharing,enhance law enforcement and judicial cooperation,curtail terrorist financing.Boosts trade and transport security to support the struggle against terrorism.The European Union Democracy&Human Rights Works globally for free elections and open democratic processes.Fights racism and
23、 intolerance at home and abroad.Campaigns globally against capital punishment.Development Assistance&Humanitarian Relief The EU and its Member States are the worlds largest aid donor,providing 55%of total official development assistance.Provides billions of dollars in humanitarian aid to more than 1
24、00 countries in response to crises and natural disasters.Addressing Global ChallengesThe European Union Trade European Commission represents all 27 EU Member States before the World Trade Organization.Supports free trade and open markets,within the rules-based structure of the WTO,to promote growth
25、and jobs in both industrialized and developing countries.The worlds most open market for products and commodities from developing countries 40%of all EU imports are from developing countries.Addressing Global ChallengesThe European Union Environmental Protection A leader in global efforts to protect
26、 the environment,maintaining rigorous and comprehensive systems at home.Plays a key role in developing and implementing international agreements,such as the Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change.Executing a“cap and trade”system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions Takes the lead in the fight against global
27、 warming with the adoption of binding energy targets(cutting 20%of the EUs greenhouse gas emissions by 2020).Addressing Global ChallengesSource:German Information Center USAThe European UnionThe European Union and the United States“Our strong friendship is essential to peace and prosperity around th
28、e globe.No temporary debate,to passing disagreement among nations,no power on earth,will ever divide us.”President George W.Bush“The relationship between the United States and Europe is the worlds strongest,most comprehensive,and strategically important partnership.The United States,and a united Eur
29、ope this is really the indispensable partnership.”President of theEuropean Commission Jos Manuel BarrosoThe European UnionPartners in Global Leadership EU and U.S.work together to develop international standards:Fighting terrorism and transnational crime Advancing global trade liberalization Combati
30、ng piracy and intellectual property violations Spreading benefits of globalization EU and its Member States are helping restore peace and stability in Afghanistan.EU and U.S.work together in the Middle East Quartet to advance the peace process.When the EU and U.S.agree,others tend to follow.EU Commi
31、ssioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner&U.S.Secretary of State Condoleezza RiceThe European UnionShared Values and Responsibilities Freedom&DemocracySupport free elections,good governance,human rights,and the rule of law around the world.SecurityCooperate to fight terrorism,limit the spread of nuclear weapon
32、s,and work for global peace.DevelopmentTogether,EU and U.S.provide 80%of global development assistance and an even larger share of global humanitarian aid in times of disaster and conflict.The European UnionA Dynamic Transatlantic Economy EU and U.S.together account for 40%of total global trade(more
33、 than$1.5 billion in transatlantic trade every day).The$3 trillion EU-U.S.transatlantic economy employs 14 million workers on both sides of the Atlantic.In 2005,Europe accounted for roughly two-thirds of total global investment flows into the U.S.by far the most significant source of foreign investm
34、ent in the U.S.economy.The European Union European companies are the leading foreign investors in the U.S.The UK,Germany,France,and the Netherlands top four sources of jobs created by foreign investment in the United States.American companies invest far more in EU countries than in Asia.U.S.business
35、es make 5 times the profit in the Netherlands-alone-as they make in China.In 2005,EU investments in Texas alone surpassed all U.S.investments in China and Japan,combined.BMWs assembly plant is South Carolinaslargest private sector employer.The European UnionFuture of Transatlantic Relations EU and U
36、.S.face common challenges that are global in origin and impact.With global challenges,come global responsibilities.EU and U.S.,with our shared values and common interests,are natural partners to give a lead in four key areas:Promote peace,human rights and democracy worldwide.Confront global challeng
37、es,including security and non-proliferation.Foster prosperity and opportunity.Advance strategic cooperation on energy security,climate change and sustainable development.The European Union“Since no single nation can efficiently and effectively deal with global challenges such as climate change,count
38、erterrorism,non-proliferation,pandemics and natural disasters on its own,we commit ourselves to strengthening our cooperation to address these challenges.”EU-U.S.Summit DeclarationVienna,July 2006The European UnionEducation&Research EU and U.S.cooperate on science and technology education through:Ex
39、change programs More than 700 institutional partnerships Vocational training Scholarship programs R&D cooperatives EU and U.S.provide joint or dual higher educational degree programs.EU funds Centers of Excellence at leading U.S.universities.EU supports R&D to increase Europes growth and global competitiveness.The European Union
