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Fact Sheets on the European Union

FACT SHEETS ON THE EUROPEAN UNION

HOW THE EUROPEAN UNION WORKSCITIZENS’ EUROPETHE INTERNAL MARKETCOMMON POLICIESECONOMIC AND MONETARY UNIONTHE EU’S EXTERNAL RELATIONS

The European Union at a glance

The aim of these fact sheets is to provide those new to the subject with an overview of the process of European integration and the European Parliament’s role in this development.

New fact sheets on topical issues and the developments of the last few years have recently appeared online, for example: the institutional reforms undertaken in preparation for the accession of Bulgaria and Romania; the new Financial Perspective; gender equality; asylum, and immigration policy; management of external borders; judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters; sports policy; the Lisbon Strategy; the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP); the South Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia) and Central Asia.

With access to around 160 fact sheets, readers will find that this is one of the best sources of information about the Union’s institutions and policies.

The content of these fact sheets covers six main areas: how the EU works, citizens’ Europe, the internal market, common policies, economic and monetary union and the EU’s external relations.

How the EU works

How the EU works

The EU has its own legislature and executive and an independent judiciary, which are supported and complemented by an additional set of institutions and bodies. The EU’s rules and decision-making procedures are laid down in the Treaties. In order to achieve its objectives, the Union has its own budget.

Citizens’ Europe

Citizens’ Europe

For EU citizens, the right to travel, live and work throughout the Union can easily be taken for granted. However, in order for them to be able to enjoy this right fully, an effective system to protect fundamental rights within the EU needs to be put in place and maintained.

The internal market

The internal market

Following the dismantling of previous barriers, goods, services and capital move as freely throughout Europe as inside a Member State. The removal of obstacles and the opening up of national markets means that more companies can compete with each other.

Common policies

Common policies

In order to speak with one voice, the EU has developed several policies and measures that all Member States endeavour to apply. These ‘common policies’ concern the entire Union and are designed to achieve common objectives.

Economic and monetary union

Economic and monetary union

Economic and monetary union (EMU) is the result of a long process aimed at harmonising the economic and monetary policies of the European Union Member States and introducing a single currency: the euro. So far, 13 Member States have adopted the euro, which is used on a daily basis by over half the EU population.

The EU’s external relations

The EU’s external relations

The EU’s economic, commercial and financial weight makes it a leading player on the international scene. It has signed a series of bilateral and multilateral agreements with most countries and regions of the world. The common foreign and security policy (CFSP) is one of the instruments of the European Union’s external relations.