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The European Union 1

All photographs and graphics courtesy of European Commission Audiovisual Library http://europa.eu.int/comm/mediatheque/photo/index_en.html

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The European Union

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The EU, USA and Japan

Comparison between Japan-EU-USA population, share of world GDP, share of world trade

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Institutions

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Political
EU Parliament Currently 785 MEPs. Based in France, Belgium and Luxembourg
Passes laws, monitors budget, monitors EU institutions

EU Council Ministerial representations from each member state

Passes laws, approves EU budget, co-ordination of economic policies, develops foreign policy, co-ordinates anti-crime strategies

EU Commission 20 Commissioners appointed by each member state every 5 years

Proposes legislation, implements EU policies, law enforcement, international co-ordination

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Financial
European Central Bank inflation target of less than 2% per year, sets short term interest rates for the whole eurozone area,
Implements and monitors Eurozone monetary policy

European Investment Bank owned by member states. Raise finance through financial markets,
Invest in projects to promote aims of EU large scale projects

Court of Auditors monitors legality and efficiency of EU income and expenditure

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Legal
Court of Justice one judge from each member state
Interprets and applies EU legislation

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Member States pre-Enlargement

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Member States

Map reproduced with permission from www.theodora.com

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Enlargement - New Members

H C E L u z y s a n e p t g c r o v a h u n i M S P r s iL a a li o y R a le o t ta v h p a e n u u

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Activities

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Agriculture
CAP Common Agricultural Policy
Sustainablility Food Quality Animal Welfare Food Safety Control Farmers welfare/incomes Employment in agriculture

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Fisheries
CFP Common Fisheries Policy
Conservation of fish stocks Aid to fishing industry to cope with changing circumstances Monitor supply and demand for fish Negotiate with non-EU members on fishing issues
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Regions
European Regional Development Fund European Social Fund European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance
Aims to encourage development of poorer regions Increase employment opportunities Encourage new industry to locate in areas of structural decline Develop infrastructure in poorer regions Encourage new training methods and facilities
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Finance/Economics
Euro monitor introduction and development Tax Harmonisation reduce differentials in tax regimes throughout the single market to aid competition and transparency Single Market free movement of goods, services, labour and capital between member states

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Eurozone 2001

Members of the Eurozone, 2001. UK, Denmark and Norway currently outside the zone

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