S7 Topic 04 - EU Issues and challenges Flashcards
Schengen Agreement
Agreement allowing for passport-free movement across most European Union member states. Named after a border town in Luxembourg. Began in 1995.
Four Freedoms
Free movement of Goods/Services/Capital/People across the EU.
ECSC
1951/1952. Early European organization aimed at pooling coal and steel resources among member states to promote peace and economic cooperation.
EEC
- Precursor to the EU, establishing a customs union and a single market among member states.
EU
- Political and economic union of European countries aiming for deeper integration and cooperation.
Council of European Union
Represents member state governments and makes decisions on EU legislation and policies (Heads of state or Ministers)
European Commission
Executive branch of the EU responsible for proposing legislation, enforcing EU law, and representing the EU internationally (Commissioners and President)
European Parliament
Directly elected legislative body of the EU, sharing power with the Council of the European Union and overseeing the European Commission. (MEPs)
Common Market
The single market made up of 27 member states and supported by the four freedoms.
Deepening
Relations between member states improve
Treaty of Rome
- Laid the foundation for the European Economic Community (EEC)
Treaty of Maastricht
- Formally established the EU
Treaty of Lisbon
- Gave EU legal powers to represent and sign international treaties on behalf of all member states. Amented existing EU treaties.
EU accession
Application and subsequent joining of the EU
Enlargement
The widening and addition of new countries to the EU
EFTA
European Free Trade Association (Allows some EU benefits without being EU member)
EEA
European Economic Area (Mostly EU states, but some exceptions, Lichtenstein, Norway, Iceland)
EU candidate countries
A country that is formally in the process of joining the EU
Copenhagen Criteria
Are the rules that define whether a country is eligible to join the European Union (Free and fair market, Democracy, Human Rights and Acquis)
TEN-T
Trans-European Transport Network is a planned network of roads, railways, airports and water infrastructure in the EU. (E.g Croatia case-study)