Chocks: European Union

European Union

Note = This essay provides a brief and non-linear overview of significant events, relying on existing data. It is not a definitive analysis and might lack exhaustive details. For a thorough understanding, readers are encouraged to refer to more comprehensive sources on the topic.

Synopsis

Introduction
European Union Institutions
Historical Chronicle
Founding Fathers
Founding Treaties
Treaty of Paris (1951)
Treaty of Rome (1957)
Maastricht Treaty (1992)
Treaty of Lisbon (2007)
Schengen Area
Euro Currency
Euroscepticism
European Union Countries
Brexit
Points to Remember
Conclusion
Reference

Introduction

Before World War II, European countries such as Britain, Germany, France, Spain, the Netherlands, and Portugal held significant political and economic dominance globally. However, following World War II, Europe underwent a profound transformation marked by economic, political, social, and military upheavals. During this period, the United States emerged as a superpower, while the Soviet Union became its rival. The ensuing rivalry led to the Cold War, which shaped the global geopolitical landscape.

The United States supported Western Europe (the Western Bloc) in establishing capitalism, primarily through the formation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Meanwhile, the Soviet Union backed Central and Eastern Europe (the Eastern Bloc) in promoting communism, solidified by the establishment of the Warsaw Pact.

In addition to the influence exerted by the United States and the Soviet Union, efforts to restore stability in European countries resulted in a series of treaties and initiatives that ultimately led to the creation of the European Union.

European Union Institutions

Article 13 of the Treaty on the European Union establishes an institutional framework comprising seven institutions. These institutions are tasked with promoting and defending the interests of both the Union's citizens and its Member States, in addition to overseeing various other bodies.

1. European Parliament: It is a body elected by the European Union's direct voters every five years, with legislative, monitoring, and budgetary responsibilities.

2. European Council: Sets out the overall political orientation and priorities of the European Union.

3. Council of the European Union: Government Ministers from every European Union country meet to discuss, change, and pass laws, as well as to coordinate policies.

4. European Commission: Proposes and enforces legislation, as well as implements various decisions.

5. Court of Justice of the European Union: The Court reviews whether laws are correctly interpreted and applied in each European Union country.

6. European Central Bank: Administers the euro and oversees, as well as implements, the European Union's economic and monetary policy.

7. Court of Auditors: Contributes to the audit and supervision of the financial allocations of every European Union country.

Historical Chronicle

The effects of World War II ravaged the material resources and wounded the sentiments of Europe. To alleviate resentment, the solution proposed was the incorporation of European nations under a single authority based on democracy and equality. In 1946, when Winston Churchill spoke at the University of Zurich, he advocated for the emergence of a United States of Europe.

In May 1948, 750 delegates from Europe, along with observers from Canada and the United States, participated in the Congress of Europe. The panel led to the establishment of the European Movement, where organizations collaborated to integrate Europe, and the College of Europe, where university graduates from various countries would study and live together.

The Congress of Europe laid the groundwork for the establishment of the Council of Europe in 1949, focusing on democracy and equality in Europe. However, the Council of Europe project did not progress as much as anticipated.

Founding Fathers

Eleven leaders are formally acknowledged as the founding fathers of the European Union, with Robert Schuman, Konrad Adenauer, and Alcide De Gasperi standing out as forerunners in the unification process. These individuals are widely recognized as pivotal figures who significantly contributed to the establishment of the European Union. Hailing from various European countries, they played crucial roles in the early stages of European integration.

1. Robert Schuman (France)

2. Konrad Adenauer (Germany)

3. Alcide De Gasperi (Italy)

4. Joseph Bech (Luxembourg)

5. Johan Beyen (Netherlands)

6. Sicco Mansholt (Netherlands)

7. Winston Churchill (Britain)

8. Walter Hallstein (West Germany)

9. Jean Monnet (France)

10. Paul-Henri Spaak (Belgium)

11. Altiero Spinelli (Italy)

Founding Treaties

Four major treaties laid the groundwork for today's European Union. They are,

1. Treaty of Paris 1951

2. Treaty of Rome 1957

3. Maastricht Treaty 1992

4. Treaty of Lisbon 2007

Treaty of Paris (1951)

In May 1950, French Minister Robert Schuman proposed the unification of the coal and steel markets among European countries, consolidating supervision under an independent authority.

As a result, the Treaty of Paris was signed on 18 April 1951 by Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and West Germany, establishing the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) for 50 years, which expired on 23 July 2002. The ECSC acted as an administrative agency for the integration of the coal and steel industries in Western Europe, partially fulfilling the desire to create the United States of Europe.

Treaty of Rome (1957)

Two treaties were signed on 25 March 1957: the Treaty of Rome, which established the European Economic Community (EEC), and the Euratom Treaty, which set up the European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC).

The EEC aimed to unify its Member States into a single economic entity, focusing on the creation of an internal market and a customs union (free trade). Meanwhile, the EAEC was intended to promote research, protect workers, and ensure nuclear safety standards.

Maastricht Treaty (1992)

The Maastricht Treaty was signed by 12 countries, namely Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Britain, on 7 February 1992, laying the foundation for the current European Union. This treaty served as a model for advancing monetary unification in Europe.

The Maastricht Treaty strengthened cooperation between European countries in several areas, including:

1. European Citizenship: Allowing citizens to reside and travel freely from one Member State to another.

2. Common Foreign and Security Policy: Safeguarding common values, fundamental interests, and the independence of the Union.

3. Justice and Home Affairs: Safeguarding the security of European citizens.

4. Stability and Growth Pact: Ensuring that countries follow sound fiscal policies.

5. European Stability Mechanism: Providing financial support to euro area countries facing serious financing problems.

6. Banking Union: Enhancing the security, integration, and stability of the European banking system.

Treaty of Lisbon (2007)

The Maastricht Treaty has been renamed the Treaty on European Union, and the Treaty of Rome, also known as the European Economic Community, has been renamed the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The Union replaces the Community and becomes its legal successor.

The Treaty of Lisbon has changed how the Union exercises its shared powers by strengthening citizen participation, protection, accountability, and modifying the decision-making processes for increased transparency.

Schengen Area

The Schengen Area was created as a result of the 1985 Schengen Agreement signed in Schengen, Luxembourg. This paved the way for an open-border system that encompasses 26 European countries, namely Germany, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

It is important to note that Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein are not members of the European Union but belong to the Schengen Area. These 26 countries have a standard visa policy that permits free entry or exit at each other's borders. Britain and Ireland follow their own visa policies, while Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, and Romania are legally obliged to join the Schengen Area in the upcoming years.

Euro Currency

The new currency, the Euro, originated from the Maastricht Treaty. Following several rounds of negotiations, the European Union introduced the Euro on 1 January 1999. The Euro was established to foster growth, stability, and economic integration in Europe. Over three years, it became an everyday currency and replaced the national currencies of European Union Member States. Currently, 19 European Union countries use the Euro. It's noteworthy that Britain opted not to adopt the Euro and continues to use the Pound Sterling as its dominant currency.

European Union Countries

Europe comprises 44 countries, with 27 of them being member states of the European Union. Britain, joined the European Union on January 1, 1973, and exited through Brexit on January 31, 2020. Five nations—Turkey (since 1987), North Macedonia (2004), Montenegro and Albania (both 2009), and Serbia (also 2009)—are navigating their paths toward EU membership through active accession negotiations. Concurrently, Bosnia and Herzegovina, along with Kosovo, holds clear aspirations for EU membership as potential future candidates.

Euroscepticism

Euroscepticism is a spectrum of political positions criticising and opposing the European Union and its integration.

# Soft Euroscepticism: Opposes the dysfunction of the European Union and seeks reforms within its bodies.

# Hard Euroscepticism: Calls for the withdrawal from European Union membership, considering its policies unrealistic and impractical.

Brexit

Winston Churchill, one of the 11 founding fathers of the European Union, championed the vision of a united Europe in 1946. Yet, he remained curiously silent on the specific role Britain should play within this new continental construct. This ambiguity laid the groundwork for a long and intricate relationship between the UK and the EU, marked by both periods of cooperation and growing strains of skepticism.

In 1973, under Prime Minister Edward Heath, Britain finally took the plunge and joined the European Union. However, even during its membership, seeds of dissent were sown. A growing Eurosceptic movement within the UK questioned the benefits of membership, highlighting issues like the Euro currency and the Schengen visa zone that Britain opted not to fully embrace.

In 2016, a pivotal moment unfolded with the historic Brexit referendum, fueled by a growing skepticism towards the European Union. The journey to Brexit was marked by considerable challenges, leading to shockwaves across the nation when a narrow 51.89% majority voted to leave the EU, triggering a political earthquake. Prime Minister David Cameron, a staunch supporter of EU membership, resigned in the aftermath. Shortly thereafter, Theresa May initiated the UK's withdrawal process by invoking Article 50. However, facing increased criticism for her handling of Brexit, Theresa May ultimately resigned. This political turmoil persisted, prompting both Cameron and May to step down as Prime Ministers.

Boris Johnson, the next Prime Minister, assumed the responsibility of navigating the final negotiations. On January 31, 2020, a significant chapter came to a close as the Brexit deal was signed. This marked the end of a 47-year affiliation and officially confirmed Britain as the first nation to formally exit the European Union.

In the present day, as Britain stands independently outside the EU, the lasting influence of Churchill's unclear vision regarding Britain's role in a united Europe and the prolonged Brexit journey continues to have a significant impact. Whether this departure signifies a fresh start for the UK or the commencement of a more isolated future is still a matter of intense debate.

Points to Remember

# The European Union does not have an official capital, but historians regard Brussels as an unofficial capital because most European institutions are located there.

# The European Union has an official symbol which consists of a circle of twelve five-pointed golden stars on a blue field.

# There are 23 languages in the European Union, but English, French, and German are the working languages.

# The richest country in the European Union is Luxembourg, and the poorest country is Bulgaria.

# European Union countries follow strict rules regarding weighing scales.

# Germany has the highest population among European Union countries.

# The official motto of the European Union is “United in Diversity”.

# The anthem of the European Union is “Ode to Joy”.

Conclusion

Once torn by conflict, Europe is now united under the banner of the European Union, fostering peace and trade. However, continuing to maintain this unity faces challenges, especially in the context of Euroscepticism and the significant event of Brexit, and despite many obstacles, the EU's motto, 'united in diversity', serves as a hopeful whisper of a shared future.