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What
is the EU?
The
European Union (EU) is a family[association] of democratic European countries,
committed to working together for peace and prosperity.
Members
It
is not a State intended to replace existing states, but it is more than
any other international organisation. The EU is, in fact, unique. Its
Member States have set up common institutions to which they delegate some
of their sovereignty so that decisions on specific matters of joint interest
can be made democratically at European level.This pooling of sovereignty
is also called "European integration".
History
Link
to an introduction to European Union : click here
Go
to the History section: click here
Symbols
The
European Flag
The circle of gold stars represents solidarity and harmony between the peoples of Europe. The number of stars has nothing to do with the number of Member States. There are twelve stars because the number twelve is traditionally the symbol of perfection, completeness and unity. The flag therefore remains unchanged regardless of EU enlargements.
Link to the European Flag: click here
The circle of gold stars represents solidarity and harmony between the peoples of Europe. The number of stars has nothing to do with the number of Member States. There are twelve stars because the number twelve is traditionally the symbol of perfection, completeness and unity. The flag therefore remains unchanged regardless of EU enlargements.
Link to the European Flag: click here
The
European anthem : « The Ninth Symphony »
The melody comes from the Ninth Symphony composed in 1823 by Ludwig Van Beethoven. For the final movement of this symphony, Beethoven set to music the "Ode to Joy" written in 1785 by Friedrich von Schiller. This poem expresses Schiller's idealistic vision of the human race becoming brothers - a vision Beethoven shared.
Link to the European Anthem: click here
The melody comes from the Ninth Symphony composed in 1823 by Ludwig Van Beethoven. For the final movement of this symphony, Beethoven set to music the "Ode to Joy" written in 1785 by Friedrich von Schiller. This poem expresses Schiller's idealistic vision of the human race becoming brothers - a vision Beethoven shared.
Link to the European Anthem: click here
The
day of Europe: “9th May”
On the 9th of May 1950, Robert Schuman presented his proposal on the creation of an organised Europe, indispensable to the maintenance of peaceful relations.
Link to a presentation of the day of Europe : click here
On the 9th of May 1950, Robert Schuman presented his proposal on the creation of an organised Europe, indispensable to the maintenance of peaceful relations.
Link to a presentation of the day of Europe : click here
The
european curency : « the Euro »
On 1 January 2002 euro notes and coins were introduced in the Member States, gradually replacing the national currencies ("legacy" currencies). On 28 February 2002 the transitional stage of dual circulation of the legacy currencies and the euro came to an end. The euro is now the sole currency for more than 300 million Europeans. The challenges facing the long-term success of EMU are continued budgetary consolidation and closer coordination of Member States' economic policies.
Link to the European Central Bank : click here
On 1 January 2002 euro notes and coins were introduced in the Member States, gradually replacing the national currencies ("legacy" currencies). On 28 February 2002 the transitional stage of dual circulation of the legacy currencies and the euro came to an end. The euro is now the sole currency for more than 300 million Europeans. The challenges facing the long-term success of EMU are continued budgetary consolidation and closer coordination of Member States' economic policies.
Link to the European Central Bank : click here
A
motto for Europe : « Unity in Diversity »
The European motto is "Unity in diversity" (Latin: In varietate concordia). It was first established through an unofficial process in 2000. It was selected from entries proposed by school pupils submitted to the website "www.devise-europe.org" [2] (http://www.devise-europe.org), and then accepted by the President of the European Parliament, Nicole Fontaine.
The motto is soon likely to be replaced by the slightly modified "United in diversity", which has been written into the draft Constitution for Europe and now appears on official EU websites.
The Motto in all the langages : click here
The European motto is "Unity in diversity" (Latin: In varietate concordia). It was first established through an unofficial process in 2000. It was selected from entries proposed by school pupils submitted to the website "www.devise-europe.org" [2] (http://www.devise-europe.org), and then accepted by the President of the European Parliament, Nicole Fontaine.
The motto is soon likely to be replaced by the slightly modified "United in diversity", which has been written into the draft Constitution for Europe and now appears on official EU websites.
The Motto in all the langages : click here
Geography
The
geography of the european communities and later of the UE has evolved
through years. From six members at the beginning, the EU is now composed
of 27 members. This process of growth is called "enlagement".
Link to maps that shows all the different enlargement and the current
European Union:
The European
Union in 2008: click
here
The European Community of coal and steel in 1957:
click here
