Since 1957, the European Union has benefited its citizens by working for peace and prosperity. It helps protect our basic political, social and economic rights.
Although we may take them for granted, these benefits improve our daily lives.
Peace & Security - Pax Europaea
Central and western Europe has never known so long a period without war. The EU is the most successful peace project in human history and has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Europeans are closely linked economically and culturally, and through the democratic values we share.
After the decimation of the Second World War, reconciliation between Germany and France was an important step towards fostering peace in Europe. The two countries - which by then had fought three wars within the space of 70 years - built the European Coal and Steel Community together with four other countries in 1952. This organization became the foundation for an ever-broader cooperation within what has been known since 1993 as the European Union.
In this time of economic and social unrest, the Norwegian Nobel Committee wished to reward the EU's successful struggle for peace, reconciliation and for democracy and human rights. When the community expanded to include additional countries during the 1970s and 1980s, democracy was a prerequisite for membership. After the fall of European communist regimes around 1990, the union was able to expand to include several countries in Central and Eastern Europe, where democracy had been strengthened and conflict checked. The Nobel Committee also believes that the question of EU membership is bolstering the reconciliation process after the wars in the Balkan States, and that the desire for EU membership has also promoted democracy and human rights in Turkey. - Nobel Peace Museum
Single Market & Eurozone
The single market is the world's most highly developed and open marketplace. It is based on the EU’s 4 key freedoms, which enable you and other citizens to:
live or work in any EU country
move your money
sell goods without restrictions
provide services on the same basis.
The European Single Market came into effect on January 1, 1993. It consists of the 28 current European Union member states as well as with Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland and Switzerland. The aim of the single market is to allow the free movement of goods and labour between these territories. The Single Market has been credited with widespread economic growth throughout the EU and the other four countries.
In order to work efficiently, all states must work together. To do this, there is no internal border between any members of the single market and all citizens can travel to work or study in any of the other countries. Goods are permitted to be transported between countries without the same customs checks as goods coming from outside the Single Market would face. This means that there is complete agreement between states and completely frictionless travel which helps strengthen the position of the single market.
All businesses are granted complete freedom to do business in other single market countries, the same goes for the consumers who wish to purchase goods in other countries outside their own without incurring additional tariffs. The single market accounts for up to 500 million consumers and 21 million small and medium-sized enterprises. It also accounts for 70% of all economic activity within the EU. This would point towards the single market being a massive success and helping all member states to prosper.
We believe in transparency and acknowledge that the Single Market is not without its flaws. The following are items that the EU is actively working on in order to further the seamless nature of a united market:
fragmented national tax systems
separate national markets for financial services, energy and transport
varied e-commerce rules, standards and practices between EU countries
complicated rules on the recognition of vocational qualifications
Digital Single Market
The European Commission hopes to introduce a new aspect into the Single Market; the Digital Single Market. The aim of the Digital Single Market is to improve access to digital goods and services, in a way similar to the physical single market. The European Commission hopes to improve access to cross-border e-commerce and make the process of buying goods from another EU country much simpler and faster. To implement this the Commission will create high-speed, secure, and trustworthy infrastructures for digital networks.
Eurozone
Eurozone countries in dark blue
20 years ago, on 1 January 1999, 11 EU countries fixed their exchange rates, adopted a shared monetary policy under the European Central Bank, and launched a new common currency on world financial markets: the euro. Three years later, euro notes and coins entered into circulation.
Today, the euro is the currency of 19 EU countries, over 340 million EU citizens and the second most important currency in the world.
Euro notes and coins are tangible, everyday reminders of the freedom, convenience and opportunities that the European Union makes possible.
Save and invest with confidense - The euro is a stable currency, so you can spend money safely and borrow and invest with confidence.
Travel - The euro has eliminated currency exchange costs and fees, making it easier and cheaper to travel throughout the 19 countries of the euro area.
Do business - The euro makes it easier, cheaper and safer for businesses to buy and sell across the euro area and to trade with the rest of the world. The euro is used for almost 40% of global cross-border payments and for almost half the EU’s exports.
Go shopping - The euro makes it easier and cheaper to compare prices and shop abroad. A common currency supports a more transparent and competitive single market.
Work, study, or retire abroad - The euro lowers the costs of travelling and transferring money so that moving to another country to work, study or retire has never been simpler.
High food & environmental standards
Because EU countries cooperate so closely, our food and our environment meet some of the world's highest quality standards. Unscrupulous companies can't get away with selling contaminated food or polluting our rivers and countryside. Health protection is the aim of all EU laws and standards in the agriculture, animal husbandry and food production sectors. An extensive body of EU-wide law covers the entire food production and processing chain within the EU, as well as imported and exported goods.
EU food safety policy and action is concentrated in 4 main areas of protection:
Food hygiene: food businesses, from farms to restaurants, must comply with EU food law, including those importing food to the EU.
Animal health: sanitary controls and measures for pets, farmed animals and wildlife monitor and manage diseases, and trace the movement of all farm animals.
Plant health: detection and eradication of pests at an early stage prevents spreading and ensures healthy seeds.
Contaminants and residues: monitoring keeps contaminants away from food and animal feed. Maximum acceptable limits apply to domestic and imported food and feed products.
Consumer benefits
Shoppers can now feel safe in the knowledge that they will get their money back if they return products. Travelers can buy train or plane tickets, knowing they can get a refund if their journey is delayed or cancelled. And the standards which goods in EU shops are required to meet are among the world's most stringent, in terms of both quality and safety.
In an efficient and integrated EU economy, you need a guarantee that your rights will be upheld if you meet any problems when buying goods or services from other EU countries. At an annual cost of just 5 euro cents per person, the EU’s 2014-2020 consumer protection program enforces consumer laws throughout the single market, affording you a high level of legal protection.
Modern EU consumer policy:
safeguards your consumer rights through legislation, including helping you resolve disputes with traders fast and efficiently (e.g. through alternative dispute resolution and European Consumer Centres)
ensures your rights keep pace with economic and social change – especially in the digital area, energy, and financial services
guarantees the safety of any product you buy within the single market
help you make choices based on clear, accurate and consistent information, e.g. when shopping online.
Human Rights
There are two main streams of human rights policy and action within the European Union. One is to protect the fundamental human rights for EU citizens, and the other is to promote human rights worldwide.
The EU protects all minorities and vulnerable groups, and stands up for the oppressed. Regardless of a person's nationality, gender, language, culture, profession, disability, or sexuality, the EU insists on equal treatment for all.
EU policy includes:
promoting the rights of women, children, minorities and displaced persons
opposing the death penalty, torture, human trafficking and discrimination
defending civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights
defending human rights through active partnership with partner countries, international and regional organisations, and groups and associations at all levels of society
inclusion of human rights clauses in all agreements on trade or cooperation with non-EU countries
Global Power
EU countries acting in unison have much more of a voice on the world stage than 28 small and medium-sized nations acting separately. We have political clout. In regards to trade, our regulatory and product standards are adopted worldwide as the global norm. The EU’s joint foreign and security policy, designed to resolve conflicts and foster international understanding, is based on diplomacy and respect for international rules. Trade, humanitarian aid, and development cooperation also play an important role in the EU's international role. EU foreign and security policy seeks to:
preserve peace
strengthen international security
promote international cooperation
develop and consolidate democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights & fundamental freedoms
The EU maintains partnerships with the world's key players, including emerging powers and regional groups. It seeks to ensure that these relationships are based on mutual interests and benefits.
The EU has no standing army, so relies on ad hoc forces contributed by EU countries. The EU can send missions to the world’s trouble spots; to monitor and preserve law and order, participate in peacekeeping efforts or provide humanitarian aid to affected populations.
Other benefits the EU brings its citizens are:
You can use your phone and online services at no extra cost wherever you are in the EU. You can also access your online video and music streaming services across the EU, safe in the knowledge that your personal data is protected under EU law.
Your rights are protected while you're travelling: EU rules protect your rights in the event of delays or cancellations. Whether travelling by plane, train, boat or bus, you are entitled to fair treatment.
You can benefit from training and support for your business: EU programmes like Erasmus+ help you get training to make the most of your career. The EU also helps you get the most out of your business – from finance to coaching, and from business networks to exchange schemes.
As a worker, you're protected from unfair treatment in the workplace under the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. This bans discrimination, including in the areas of pay and dismissals.
As an EU citizen, you're protected against the downsides of globalisation by EU support for small businesses and rules to make sure that big companies pay their fair share of tax.