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{{redirect|EU}}
{{Infobox Geopolitical organisation
|native_name = <div class="NavFrame" style="border-style:none;padding:0;">
<div class="NavHead" style="font-size:1.1em; background:#f9f9f9;text-align:center;">European Union</div><div class="NavContent" style="text-align:center; display:none; line-height: 0.8em;">{{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}}
</div></div>
|linking_name = the European Union
|image_flag = Flag of Europe.svg
|image_coat = Slovenian European Union presidency 2008.svg
|symbol_width = 95px
|symbol_type = Presidency insignia
|motto = {{lang|la|'']''}}{{spaces|2}}<small>(])<br />"United in diversity"<ref name="EU-Symbols">{{cite web| title = Symbols of the EU| url = http://.eu/abc/symbols/index_en.htm| publisher=]| accessdate = 2008-01-09}}</ref></small>
|anthem = '']''<ref name="EU-Symbols"/>{{spaces|2}}<small>(orchestral)</small>
|image_map = Location European Union.svg
|map_caption =
|admin_center_type = ]
|admin_center = ]<br />]<br />]<br />
|largest_metropolitan_area = ]
|languages_type = ]s
|languages = {{Collapsible list |title=] |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |]}}
|demonym = ]
|membership_type = ]
|membership = {{Collapsible list |title=] |{{flagicon|Austria}}] |{{flagicon|Belgium}}] |{{flagicon|Bulgaria}}] |{{flagicon|Cyprus}}] |{{flagicon|Czech Republic}}] |{{flagicon|Denmark}}] |{{flagicon|Estonia}}] |{{flagicon|Finland}}] |{{flagicon|France}}] |{{flagicon|Germany}}] |{{flagicon|Greece}}] |{{flagicon|Hungary}}] |{{flagicon|Ireland}}] |{{flagicon|Italy}}] |{{flagicon|Latvia}}] |{{flagicon|Lithuania}}] |{{flagicon|Luxembourg}}] |{{flagicon|Malta}}] |{{flagicon|Netherlands}}] |{{flagicon|Poland}}] |{{flagicon|Portugal}}] |{{flagicon|Romania}}] |{{flagicon|Slovakia}}] |{{flagicon|Slovenia}}] |{{flagicon|Spain}}] |{{flagicon|Sweden}}] |{{flagicon|United Kingdom}}]}}
|ethnic_groups =
|ethnic_groups_year =
|denonym = European
|government_type = ]
|leader_title1 = ]
|leader_name1 = ] ]
|leader_title2 = ]
|leader_name2 = ] ]
|leader_title3 = ]
|leader_name3 = ]
|leader_title4 = ]
|leader_name4 = ] ]
|sovereignty_type = ]
|sovereignty_note =
|established_event1 = ]
|established_date1 = ] ]
|established_event2 = ]
|established_date2 = ] ]
|established_event3 = ]
|established_date3 = ] ]
|area_rank = 7th¹
|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 = 497,198,740
|population_estimate_rank = 3rd¹
|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 August 21st 2007 (2007 figures)-->
|population_density_sq_mi = 289 <!--Do not remove per ]-->
|population_density_rank = 69th¹
|GDP_PPP = $14,953 trillion
|GDP_PPP_rank = 1st¹
|GDP_PPP_year = 2007 (])
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $28,213<!--2006 figure, anyone have 2007-->
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 14th¹<!--Note that ranking is corrected by taking out EU members from the list-->
|GDP_nominal = $16,574 trillion
|GDP_nominal_rank = 1st¹
|GDP_nominal_year = 2007 (])
|GDP_nominal_per_capita = $33,482<!--2007-->
|GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 13th¹<!--Note that ranking is corrected by taking out EU members from the list-->
|HDI =
|HDI_rank =
|HDI_year =
|HDI_category =
|currency = {{Collapsible list |title=] |] (€) <code>(])</code>&nbsp;('']'') |
----
] |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |] |]}}
|currency_code =
|time_zone =
|utc_offset = +0 to +2
|time_zone_DST =
|DST_note =
|utc_offset_DST = +1 to +3
|cctld = ]
|calling_code =
|footnote1 = If listed among entities with traditional ] status.<ref name="GDP IMF"/><!--Source of GDP information-->
}}
The '''European Union''' ('''EU''') is a political and economic community of twenty-seven ], located primarily in ]. It was established in 1993 by the ], adding new areas of policy to the existing ]. With almost 500&nbsp;million citizens, the EU combined generates an estimated 30% share of the world's nominal ] (]16.6 trillion) in 2007.<ref name="GDP IMF"/>


The EU has developed a ] through a standardised system of laws which apply in all ], guaranteeing the ].<ref name="Europa Internal Market">{{cite web |title=The EU Single Market: Fewer barriers, more opportunities |publisher=|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, ] and ] policies, and a ].<ref name="Farah">{{cite web|last=Farah|first=Paolo|title=Five Years of China WTO Membership. EU and US Perspectives about China's Compliance with Transparency Commitments and the Transitional Review Mechanism|publisher=]|date=2006|url=http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=916768|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-01-25}}</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=]|date=2005|url=http://ec.europa.eu/justice_home/fsj/freetravel/frontiers/fsj_freetravel_schengen_en.htm|accessdate=2007-01-24}}</ref>


EU operation is a hybrid 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 members. 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 origins to the ] formed among six countries in 1951 and the ] in 1957. Since then the EU has grown in size through the accession of new member states and has increased its powers by the addition of new policy areas to its remit. The ] signed in December 2007 is intended to amend the existing treaties to update the political and legal structure of the union, if ratification is completed in 2008.


==History==
{{main|History of the European Union}}
===European Coal and Steel Community===
{{see|Pax Europea|End of World War II in Europe|European Coal and Steel Community}}
] ] the ] in 1950.]]
The political climate after the end of ] favoured Western European unity, 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 of the first successful proposals for ] came in 1951 with the ]. This had the aim of bringing together control of the ] and ] industries of its member states, principally ] and ]. This was with the aim that war between them would not then be possible, as coal and steel were the principal resources for waging war. The Community's founders declared it "a first step in the ]", with the hope that this would enable Europe to pursue the development of Africa.<ref>{{cite web |title=Declaration of 9 May 1950 |url=http://europa.eu/abc/symbols/9-may/decl_en.htm |publisher=] |accessdate=2007-09-05}}</ref> The other founding members were ], and the three ] countries: ], the ], and ].<ref name="Europa History 45-59">{{cite web |title=A peaceful Europe - the beginnings of cooperation |publisher=]
|url=http://europa.eu/abc/history/1945-1959/index_en.htm |accessdate=2007-06-25}}</ref>


===European Communities===
{{see|Treaty of Rome|European Community}}
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 ]]]


THE EUROPEAN UNION IS CONFORMED OF COUNTRIES:) jaja I am a men
In 1973 the European 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.

The ] of members of the European Parliament were held in 1979.<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> They were the first ] to be held, allowing citizens to elect 410 ] to the ], and also the first international election in history.

], ] 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> The ] in 1985 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 and leaders signed the ]. This revised the way community decision making operated to take account of its greater membership, aimed to further reduce ]s and introduce greater ].
{{-}}

===European Union===
{{see|Post-Cold War era|Maastricht Treaty}}
]'s fall enabled eastward ]. (])]]

In 1990 after the fall of the ], the former ] became part of the Community as part of a newly reunited 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 ] came into force on ] ].<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> Maastricht established a revised structure and the name 'European Community' officially replaced the earlier 'European Communities'. The European Community now formed one of ] of the new ''European Union'', which included co-operation in matters of ] and ]. The term ''European Union'' generally replaced the term ''European Community'', which will be abolished by the ] along with the pillar system.

], ] and ] joined in 1995. The ] in 1997 amended the Maastricht treaty in areas such as democracy and foreign policy. Amsterdam was followed by the ] in 2001, which revised the Rome and Maastricht treaties to allow the EU to cope with further enlargement to the east.

In 2002, twelve member states adopted the ] as a single currency. Since then, the ] has increased to encompassing fifteen countries. In 2004, the EU saw its biggest enlargement to date when ten new countries, most of which former parts of the ], acceded 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> Three years later, two more joined.<ref name="Europa History 00"/>

A treaty establishing a ] was signed in ] in 2004, intended to replace all previous treaties with a single document. However, it never completed ratification after rejection by French and Dutch voters in ]. In 2007, it was agreed to replace that proposal with a new ], that would amend rather than replace the ]. This treaty was signed on ] ] in ] and is known as the ].<ref name="Europa Lisbon treaty"/> It will come in effect in January 2009 if ratified by that date.
{{-}}

==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}}</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 fulfilment 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 ] ], ], ], ], and ] can include 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=]|date=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|sqkm|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&nbsp;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=]|date=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|date=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=]| date=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|Institutions of the European Union}}

<imagemap>
Image:Pillars of the European Union.svg||thumb||The three pillars constituting the European Union (clickable)
rect 3 41 54 170 ]
rect 65 42 115 170 ]
rect 126 42 176 170 ]
</imagemap>

The EU is based on a series of treaties which have built up the current structure by successive additions and amendments.<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=]| |accessdate=2007-09-05}}</ref> The treaties define the broad policy goals of the organisation and establish institutions with the necessary legal powers to implement those goals, including the ability to enact legislation<ref name="art249 Rome"> {{cite web |title=European Community consolidated treaty, (article 249, provisions for making regulations) |url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2006/ce321/ce32120061229en00010331.pdf |author=] |publisher=]| accessdate=2007-11-08}}</ref> which can directly affect all member states and their inhabitants (the principle of ']').<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 |date=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 enforce the EU treaties and the laws enacted under them, as one of the conditions of membership. In the case of a conflict where a law stemming from EU legislation conflicts with another national law, the EU law is considered to take precedence (principle of ']').<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> Decisions regarding EU legislation may be referred to the ] by national courts. The EU is regulated by a number of institutions, primarily the ], the ], and ].

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>

===Commission===
{{main|European Commission}}
] 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>

===Council===
{{main|Council of the European Union|European Council}}
The ] forms one 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 rotating ] is taken by each member state in turn for a period of six months, during which the relevant member chairs most meetings of the Council.<ref name="Europa Institutions Council"/> The member state holding the presidency typically uses it to drive and focus on a limited number of policy areas; such as various types of reform, enlargement or external relations with a specific part of the world.

Highest-ranking political leadership in the EU is provided by the ] (not to be mistaken for the ]), which is the EU Council when composed of heads of government of the member states (e.g. the ] or ]) plus the ]. The European Council meets on at least four ] a year, and is lead by the head of government of the rotating presidency.<ref name="Europa Institutions Council"/>

===Parliament===
{{main|European Parliament}}
] of the Parliament's ] in Strasbourg]]
The other half of the EU's ] is the ]. 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>

===Legal System===
{{see|Law of the European Union|Treaties of the European Union}}
Although the Treaties are the ultimate source of EU Law, there are a number of legislative instruments available to the EU institutions. The three main instruments are ], ] and ]. There is no formal hierarchy regarding the three types.

'''Regulations''' are legislative acts which become law in all member states the moment they come into force, without the requirement for any implementing measures to have been taken by member states.<ref>See: Case 34/73, ''Variola v. Amministrazione delle Finanze'' ECR 981</ref> Once in force their contents automatically override conflicting domestic provisions, as a result of having ] in the national law of the member states.<ref name="art249 Rome"/>

'''Directives''' require member states to achieve a certain result while leaving them discretion as to how to achieve the result within a certain time period. Directives are generally used where it is thought preferable to leave the precise details of legislative implementation to national governments.<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> Once the stated time period has passed, under certain conditions provisions within a Directive may have ] in national law against Member States.

] in ] can judge member states over EU law]]

'''Decisions''' offer an alternative to the two above modes of legislation. The Council and the Commission may publish in the official journal a decision, notified to a particular addressee, such as an individual trader or a company. Decisions will be found most commonly in ], or on rulings on ], and can be challenged by the addressee under certain circumstances before the ].

The EU's legal system contains a multiplicity of legislative procedures used to enact the above legislation. The treaties provide the basis for all legislation and lay down the different ways of adopting legislation for different 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 ] ] 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 is that almost all legislation must be proposed by the Commission, rather than member states or European parliamentarians. 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> See: ].

===Courts===
{{see|European Court of Justice}}
The judicial branch of the EU consists of the ] (ECJ) and the ] (to be renamed the "General Court" upon the entering into force of 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}}</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}}</ref>

National courts within the Member States also 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.

==Politics==
{{main|Politics of the European Union}}
] ]]]

Two major political issues for the EU are ] and ]. Enlargement, the accession of new states to the EU, is a highly politicised issue. Supporters argue it aids democracy in new members, as well as supporting the European economy as a whole. Opponents fear the EU is expanding beyond its current political capabilities, and/or cultural boundaries. Public opinion, and hence political party viewpoint, has been more skeptical towards enlargement since the simultaneous accession of 10 members in 2004. This is most acute in relation to the ].<ref name="IHT fatigue">{{cite web|last=Smale|first=Alison|last2=Bilefsky|first2=Dan|title=Fighting EU 'enlargement fatigue'|publisher=]|date=]|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/06/19/news/eu.php|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-08-14}}</ref><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><ref name="BBC Turkey">{{cite web|title=Q&A: Turkey's EU entry talks|publisher=]|date=]|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4107919.stm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-08-14}}</ref>

Integration is another political issue, where the public view is sometimes that national interest conflicts with that of the EU. The aim of increasing harmonisation between states has meant that national powers have been transferred to the European level. This is criticised by ] who fear the loss of national ].<ref name="Anti-EU">{{cite web|title=FAQs on the EU, from the campaign trail|publisher=Sovereignty|date=2001|url=http://www.sovereignty.org.uk/features/articles/campquest.html|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-29}}</ref> In 2004 the ] was agreed between national leaders and the EU institutions. However it did not come into force after it was rejected in referenda in two countries, with the prospect of further rejections had attempts at ratification continued. In October 2007 European leaders finalised a new ] which contains much of the now defunct constitution, without the latter's constitutional terms and elements.

The treaty is expected to come into force in 2009. If ratified it will introduce more ] and increase the powers of the European Parliament. The treaty also proposes to abolish the EU's pillar system. More aspects of foreign policy will now be subject to the supranational, as opposed to intergovernmental, institutions.<ref name="BBC Reform">{{cite web|title=EU leaders agree on reform treaty|publisher=]|date=2007|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6232540.stm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-27}}</ref><ref name="Europa Lisbon treaty">{{cite web|url=http://europa.eu/lisbon_treaty/glance/index_en.htm|title= Treaty of Lisbon at a glance |publisher=] |accessdate=2008-02-28}}</ref>

==Justice, freedom and security==
{{see|Police and Judicial Co-operation in Criminal Matters|European Commissioner for Justice, Freedom & Security}}
] has ensured open borders between most member states. (Austro-German border)]]

Much of the EU's competence in the justice and home affairs area originates from the signing of the ] in 1985 on gradual abolition of border controls between six of the then ten European Community member states. In order to implement the Schengen Agreement, the signatory states included measures designed to compensate for the effect of reduced border controls in the areas of ], immigration and criminal justice.<ref name="EC Schengen">{{cite web |url=http://europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/lvb/l33020.htm |title=The Schengen ''acquis'' and its integration into the Union |accessdate=2007-09-01 |publisher=]}}</ref> The Maastricht Treaty transferred the Schengen ] to the EU (title IV of the ] as originally enacted).<ref name="Maastricht IV"/>

Additional competencies were assigned to the EU by the Maastricht Treaty to facilitate the freedom of movement of people by adopting common rules in civil matters, such as contract and family law. <ref name="Maastricht IV"> {{cite web |title=Maastricht Treaty |url=http://europa.eu/eur-lex/en/treaties/dat/EU_treaty.html |publisher=]| author=] |accessdate=2008-02-28}}</ref> The Maastricht Treaty also introduced the concept of ], which is complementary to national citizenship.<ref name="art17 Rome"> {{cite web |title=European Community consolidated treaty, (article 17), European Citizenship) |url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2006/ce321/ce32120061229en00010331.pdf |publisher=]| author=] |accessdate=2008-02-28}}</ref>

Amendments to these treaties by the ] added a new aim of the EU as the creation of an "area of Justice, Freedom and Security".<ref name="art1(3) Amsterdam"> {{cite web |title=Amsterdam treaty article 1 s.3 amending European Union consolidated treaty article 2, creating an area of freedom and justice) |url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/treaties/dat/11997D/htm/11997D.html#0001010001 |publisher=]| author=] |accessdate=2008-02-28}}</ref> That treaty also made it easier to pass laws in the justice and home affairs area and more difficult for member states to veto them. It also increased the powers of the European Parliament in relation to Justice and Home affairs' measures, with decisions in certain matters coming to be decided by ]. Recent legislation includes the ]<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> and directives on family law.<ref>Council Regulation (EC) No 2201/2003 of ] ] concerning jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgements in matrimonial matters and the matters of parental responsibility.</ref>

The EU has 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=] |date=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.

===Fundamental rights===
The EU has developed a role in ] protection. 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}}</ref> The Amsterdam Treaty supplemented these, by supporting further legislation 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, combatting 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 ] ] 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 ] ] establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation (OJ L 303, 2.12.2000, p. 16–22).</ref> All EU states have abolished ] for all crimes and the EU has been a prominent campaigner for global abolition.<ref name="DP">{{cite web|title=Launching the European Day against the Death Penalty|date=]|publisher=]|url=http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/07/850|accessdate = 2007-11-12 }}</ref>

Signing the 1950 ] (ECHR) is a condition for EU membership, however the institutions of the EU are not covered by this. As the EU was not capable of signing the ECHR without a treaty change, the EU drew up the ]. The charter consolidated not only the rights of the ECHR but those of other UN and EU agreements, covering economic, political and social rights including "third generation" rights such as good governance and a clean environment. Although it was proclaimed in 2000, it has no legal force at present (2007). Under the Reform Treaty, the Charter would become legally binding and the EU would accede to the ECHR,<ref name="BBC Lisbon Q&A">{{cite web|title=Q&A: The Lisbon Treaty|date=]|publisher=]|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6901353.stm|accessdate = 2007-11-12 }}</ref> which would make the ], currently totally separate from the EU, the highest court in the EU for Human Rights, above the EU's Court of Justice. Even without joining, the Court of Justice and Court of Human Rights co-operate to ensure their case-law does not conflict, thus the Court of Justice already treats the ECHR as though it was part of EU law.<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"|date=2006|publisher=]|url=http://assembly.coe.int/Sessions/2006/speeches/20060411_report_JCJuncker_EN.pdf|format=PDF|accessdate = 2007-07-28 }}</ref>

==Foreign relations==
{{see|Foreign relations of the European Union|Common Foreign and Security Policy}}
] is the EU's ] in foreign policy]]

The foreign relations of the EU are primarily dealt with through the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). Co-operation in international trade negotiations, under the Common Commercial Policy, dates back to the establishment of the Community in 1957.<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> The CFSP itself has its origins in the formation of ] in 1970.<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> European Political Co-operation was an informal consultation process between member states on foreign policy matters, with the aim of forming common policies. It was formally introduced into the then European Community by the ] and subsequently renamed as the "Common Foreign and Security Policy" by the Maastricht Treaty.<ref name="EPC"/>

The Maastricht Treaty gives the Common Foreign and Security Policy 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}}</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=]|date=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=]|date=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"/> This influence on the internal affairs of other countries is generally referred to as "soft power", 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 ]|date=2005|url=http://www.cer.org.uk/articles/bildt_ft_1june05.html|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref> ], ], cited the common foreign policy as a factor why ] is, de facto, no longer a ]. It is not known if this view is shared by the leaders of the other neutral countries in the EU.<ref name="Finnish presidency">{{cite web|title=Presentation of the programme of the Finnish presidency|publisher=] |author=] |date=]|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+CRE+20060705+ITEM-002+DOC+XML+V0//EN&language=EN|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-08-13}}</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 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=EU Observer|date=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&nbsp;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=] |date=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 ]. 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 defense 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>

==Economic policy==
{{see|Economy of the European Union}}
] corporations are headquartered in EU countries (Nokia, ])]]

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 ]16.6 trillion 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/2007/01/data/weorept.aspx?sy=2004&ey=2008&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=998&s=NGDPD%2CPPPWGT&grp=1&a=1&pr1.x=35&pr1.y=10
| title = Report for Selected Country Groups and Subjects (European Union)| accessdate = 2007-09-15| year = 2007 | month = April| work = World Economic Outlook Database, April 2007 Edition| publisher = International Monetary Fund}}; {{cite web | url = http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2007/01/data/weorept.aspx?pr.x=57&pr.y=6&sy=2004&ey=2008&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=111&s=NGDP%2CPPPWGT&grp=0&a=| title = Report for Selected Countries and Subjects (United States)| accessdate = 2007-07-15| year = 2007 | month = April| work = World Economic Outlook Database, April 2007 Edition| publisher = International Monetary Fund}}</ref> which makes it the largest economy in the world. 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 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% of GDP 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|date=April 2007|publisher = ]|accessdate = 2007-11-29}}</ref>

===Single market===
{{see|Four Freedoms (European Union)}}
The Treaty of Rome originally created a European Economic Community. This outlined the staged development of a ], starting with the introduction of a ] between the signatories. This became the European Community, one part of the European Union, which still has a primary task of creating and maintaining the single market. In particular it seeks to guarantee ], which relate to ensuring the free movement of ], ], ] and ] within the area.<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>

The principle of free movement of goods ensures goods can be taken anywhere within the whole market without being subject to barriers or obstacles. This freedom has both an internal and external dimension. Internally, goods must not be subjected to customs duties, discriminatory taxes or measures restricting import quantities between member countries. Externally, goods entering the internal market will be granted freedom after paying the Common Customs Tariff.

]

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 1999 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 interfere with their exercise on the specific grounds laid down in the Treaty, or can rely on the case law of the European Courts for more general justifications. 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 will arbitrate as to whether the actions of the member state are proportionate and in conformity with Community law. The freedoms are extended to the non-member states of ], ] and ] via the ].<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>

===Monetary union===
{{see|Euro|Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union}}
] in ] governs ] monetary policy.]]

A ] for the EU has been an official objective since 1969 and work began in 1990 on ]. Nine years later the ] was ] of the then fifteen member states as an accounting currency, meaning that national currencies remained in use but with exchange rates locked to the euro. On ] ], euro notes and coins were issued and the national currencies were phased out. ] membership increased to twelve in 2002 and now fifteen countries use the euro as their sole official currency. ] adopted the Euro on the ] ], ] and ] on the ] ]. All other EU members except Denmark and the United Kingdom have agreed to join as a condition of being members of the EU and dates for this will be set when economic conditions have been met. Public opinion in Denmark currently favours joining. Sweden has pointedly failed to take necessary economic steps. A number of other countries outside the EU, such as ], also 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 the 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, low interest rates, having 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"/> In recent years ] of the euro have grown, and there is some speculation that if the eurozone continues to enlarge, and/or the ] continues to fall, the euro could become the main world ].<ref>{{cite journal |last= Menzie |first= Chinn |coauthors= Jeffery Frankel |year= 2006 |month= January |title= Will the Euro Eventually Surpass The Dollar As Leading International Reserve Currency? |journal=] |url=http://www.wage.wisc.edu/uploads/Working%20Papers/chinnfrankel_NBER_eurotopcurrency.pdf |format=PDF |accessdate= 2007-10-11 }}</ref>

===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=] author=] |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 in effecting 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&nbsp;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===
{{see|Budget of the European Union}}
]

The EU had an agreed budget of €116&nbsp;billion for the year 2007, and €862&nbsp;billion for the period 2007-2013;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ec.europa.eu/budget/budget_glance/where_from_en.htm| title=EU budget at a glance|publisher=] |author=] |accessdate=2007-11-06}}</ref> this represents around 1% of the EU's combined ]. By comparison, the UK's expenditure for 2004 was estimated to be €759&nbsp;billion, and France was estimated to have spent €801&nbsp;billion. In 1960, the then "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>

The largest single expenditure item is the ] (CAP) at around 45% of the total budget. The second largest element is the ], at 30%. Foreign policy consumes 8%, administration 6%, research 5%.

==Development policy==
===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 (Vinyard 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}}
]

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 ], making it the world's leading importer of these fuels.<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 a priority to increase trade and mobility.]]

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: 75,200&nbsp;km of roads; 78,000&nbsp;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|publisher=]|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&nbsp;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 the perception of redundancy due to the existing GPS 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 this motorway Prague-Berlin (Lovosice), ]]]

There are substantial economical disparities across the EU. Even corrected for purchasing power, the difference between the richest and poorest regions (NUT-2 and NUT-3 of the ]) is about a factor of ten. On the high end ] has €68,751 ] per capita, ] €67,980, and ] €65,138, while ] has €5,070 PPP per capita and ]'s Severozapaden has €5,502 PPP per capita.<ref name="London_Nord-Est_Severozapaden">{{cite web|title=Regional GDP per inhabitant in the EU 27|author=] |publisher=]|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_02/1-19022007-EN-AP.PDF|format=PDF|doi=|accessdate=2007-03-01}}</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 |date=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}}
] in Poland]]

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>

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&ndash;5|language=English|publisher=People Power Process|date=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&nbsp;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>

===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&nbsp;years it has supported international exchange opportunities for well over 1.5&nbsp;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> Theses 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 2001{{cite web| url = http://www.urbanaudit.org/CityCountryPDFLongList.aspx| title = City Profiles List| accessdate = 2008-02-06| 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>
! style="background:#f0f0f0; text-align:center" align=center |'''Density/km²'''<br /><small>(city limits)</small>
! style="background:#f0f0f0; text-align:center" align=center |] <br /><small>(2005)</small>
! style="background:#f0f0f0; text-align:center" align=center |]<br /><small>(2001)</small>
|-
! align=left | ''']'''
|align=right | 3,410,000|| 3,815 || 3,761,000|| 4,935,524
|-
! align=left | ''']'''
|align=right | 7,512,400|| 4,761 || 9,332,000|| 11,624,807
|-
! align=left | ''']'''
|align=right | 3,228,359|| 5,198 || 4,858,000|| 5,372,433
|-
! align=left | ''']'''
|align=right | 2,153,600||24,672 || 9,928,000|| 10,952,011
|-
! align=left | ''']'''
|align=right | 2,708,395 || 2,105 || 2,867,000|| 3,700,424
|}

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&nbsp;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| date=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 114/km² (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> and 16 cities with populations of over one million (using city proper figures).

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&nbsp;million inhabitants (], ], ] et al.), ] approx. 7&nbsp;million (], ], ], ] et al.), ] approx. 5.8&nbsp;million (], ] et al.), the ] (urban area in between ], ], ] and ]), approx. 5,5&nbsp;million inhabitants, and the ] approx. 3.5&nbsp;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" 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 |]
|12%
|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 |]
|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 |]
|2%
|2%
|- 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" class="sortbottom"
| colspan=3 align="left"|<small>L1: Native language<br> Total: EU citizens able to conduct conversation in this language</small>
|}

The EU has 23 ] and ]s: ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ].<ref name="Official Languages">{{cite web |title=Council Regulation (EC) No 1791/2006 of ] ]|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=]|date=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=] |date=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=]|date=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&nbsp;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=]|date=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=]|date=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=] |date=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&nbsp;million people.<ref name="Many tongues, one family"/> Of these, only the Spanish regional languages (], ] and ]) can be used in communication with the Council of the European Union, the Commission, the Economic and Social Committee, the European Parliament, the ] and the ].<ref name="Mercator">{{cite web|title=Mercator Newsletter - n. 29|publisher=Mercator Central|date=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; in 2002 the EU had an estimated ] of over a million<ref>Jewish population figures may be unreliable. These estimates are taken from: {{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> and a Muslim population in 2006 of 16&nbsp;million people.<ref name="Islam.de SecE">{{cite web|title=In Europa leben gegen­wärtig knapp 53&nbsp;millionen Muslime|publisher=Islam.de|date=]|url=http://islam.de/8368.php|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-07-21}}</ref>

Findings by Eurostat, the EU statistics agency which monitors the religious beliefs of EU citizens as part of its ] opinion polls, 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=]|date=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 societies are those in Malta (95%; predominantly Roman Catholic), and Cyprus and Romania both with about 90% of citizens believing in a 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"/>


==Cultural policy==
{{see|Culture of Europe|Cultural policies of the European Union}}
] is one of the two ] for 2008.]]
EU culture is intertwined with the ] and its specific national heritages; 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, supporters of ] often appeal to a shared European historical/cultural heritage, typically including ] and ], the ] of the ], the ], the ], 19th century ] and (sometimes) negative elements such as the ]s. European values are assumed to be grounded in this shared heritage.<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 = }}</ref>

===Sport===
{{see|Sport in Europe|Sport policies of the European Union}}
], ])]]

Sport is mainly the responsibility of individual 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&nbsp;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 are participating 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-related topics|state=uncollapsed}}
{{Supranav|state=collapsed}}

==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 = Oxford University Press | 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? Signals from The White Paper on European Governance. Prepared for the Eighth Biennial International Conference, European Union Studies Association, 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}}
* ''] Guide to the European Union'' (Profile Books 2005) ISBN 978-1-86197-930-8
* ''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 Government and Politics of the European Union'' by Neill Nugent (Palgrave Macmillan, 2002) ISBN 978-0-333-98461-1
* ''The European Union: A Very Short Introduction'' by John Pinder (Oxford, 2001) ISBN 978-0-19-285375-2
* ''This Blessed Plot: Britain and Europe from Churchill to Blair'' by ] (Macmillan, 1998) ISBN 978-0-333-57992-3
* ''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
* {{PDFlink||132&nbsp;KB}} by ], Singapore Yearbook of International Law, Vol. 9 (2005), Accessed ], ]
</div>

==External links==
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{|
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* <span class="plainlinks"></span> – Satellite view at ]
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Revision as of 01:57, 28 April 2008




THE EUROPEAN UNION IS CONFORMED OF COUNTRIES:) jaja I am a men