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What are the European Union's objectives? - Coggle Diagram
What are the European Union's objectives?
A supranational organisation...
The European Union, or EU, is a supranational organisation comprised of 27 European countries with a common economic and political project, to which members transfer some sovereignty.
This only affects those matters specified in the treaties adopted by the member countries: Rome (1957), Maastricht (1992), Schengen (1995) and Lisbon (2009). They define the objectives, rules and functioning of EU institutions.
Member states are represented in these institutions in order to promote, with one voice, the general interest of the EU. States also have representative bodies to defend national interests.
HOW IS THE EU FUNDED?
Member state contributions, proportional to national wealth.
Import duties on products fromnon-member countries.
Part of the VAT collected by each member.
Spain is the fourth biggest contributor, after Germany, France and Italy.
...with common objectives...
The European Union's main objective is to promote the peace and wellbeing of its citizens and ensure common rights. It has the following aims:
To promote balanced and environmentally-friendly economic and social progress by creating an area of free movement or single market, a single currency (euro) and specific economic policies.
To establish laws and rules that encourage scientific and technological advancement and eradicate social inequality.
To formulate its own international policy that provides solutions to international problems and aid to non-EU countries.
To implement a form of European citizenship that recognises the rights and duties of all EU citizens and facilitates the political union of the states.
To ensure freedom, security and justice for all EU citizens.
...that ensures citizens' rights
The inhabitants of the EU hold European citizenship, which complements their national citizenship. It allows them to move, work and study in all member states. They can also receive medical care in any EU country.
It also gives them a vote in European Parliament elections and the municipal elections of their place of residence, as well as the right to petition the European Parliament and the EU Ombudsman. Lastly, citizenship ensures respect for the human rights included in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
KEY POINTS
The EU consists of 27 member states. Its main objective is to promote the peace and wellbeing of its citizens and to ensure their rights.
The three main institutions involved in EU legislation are the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission.
HOW DOES THE EUROPEAN UNION WORK?
The European Union's institutions are responsible for the functioning of the EU and making decisions that affect all member states. These institutions have headquarters in various cities: Brussels, Strasbourg, Frankfurt and Luxembourg.
Three main institutions are involved in EU legislation:
The European Parliament, which represents and is elected by EU citizens.
The Council of the European Union, which represents member state governments.
The European Commission, which represents EU interests as a whole.
These institutions develop policies and laws that are applied throughout the EU: the Commission proposes new laws, and the Parliament and Council adopt them.
The Commission and member states apply this legislation, and the Commission ensures compliance.