Unit 15

INDEX

3.1. What is the EU?

- Flag – Motto – Anthem – Currency - Special Day

3.2. Institutions

- The European Commission

- The European Parliament

- The Council of the European Union

- The Court of Justice

3. – THE EUROPEAN UNION (E.U.)

3.1. – WHAT IS THE E.U.?

There are 28 European countries in the EU. Each country is independent, but they work together to improve the lives of their citizens.

In 1957 France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands signed the Treaty of Rome, which created the European Economic Community (EEC).

In 1992, the 12 countries of the EEC signed the Treaty of Maastricht. The EEC became the European Union (EU).The EU has its own symbols:

        It has a flag with 12 stars in a circle to show unity.

   It has a motto that says “United in diversity”. This means the countries of the EU are all different but they can work together.

 

It has an anthem called “Ode to Joy”. It is by Beethoven.

 

   It has its own currency (money) called the Euro. Most countries in the EU use it.

It has a special day on 9^th May called “Europe Day”. On 9^th May 1950, a French foreign minister suggested forming a union of European countries. Now 9^th May is Europe Day.  It celebrates peace and unity.

3.2. – INSTITUTIONS

The countries of the EU decide things together through several institutions, where groups of people discuss important things. 

The most important institutions of the European Union are:

        European Parliament.  It is made up of 785 members. They are elected every five years by the citizens of the Member States. Parliament makes laws, approves budgets and supervises the other institutions. The MEPs (members of the Parliament) meet in Strasbourg or Brussels.

        The European Commission.  It is made up of the President of the Commission and the commissioners. It makes sure Member States keep their agreements. The commissioners usually meet in Brussels.

 

        European Council.  It is made up of the government ministers from all the Member States. It is in charge of foreign policy and common security. The ministers meet in Luxemburg or Brussel.

        The Court of Justice.  There are 27 judges- one from each country of the EU. They meet in Luxemburg and it makes sure that people respect EU.

VOCABULARY

EACH	CADA
TO IMPROVE	MEJORAR
TO WORK TOGETHER	TRABAJAR JUNTOS
THE NETHERLANDS	PAÍSES BAJOS/HOLANDA
TREATY	TRATADO
TO BECAME/BECOME	SE CONVIRTIÓ
TO SIGN	FIRMAR
FLAG	BANDERA
MOTTO	LEMA
THROUGH SEVERAL	A TRAVÉS DE VARIAS
MEMBER STATES	ESTADOS MIEMBROS
LAWS	LEYES
BUDGETS	IMPUESTOS
TO MEET	ENCONTRARSE
TO APPROVE	APROBAR
TO KEEP AGEEMENTS	MANTENER LOS ACUERDOS
EUROPEAN COUNCIL	EL CONSEJO DE LA EU
IS IN CHARGE OF	ESTAR A CARGO DE
FOREIGN POLICY	POLÍTICA EXTERIOR
THE COURT OF JUSTICE	TRIBUNALES DE JUSTICIA
JUDGES	JUECES

ACTIVITIES

1.-  Write five symbols of the EU and explain them.

1.-_______________________________________________________

2.-  ________________________________________________________

3.-  ________________________________________________________

4.-  ________________________________________________________

5.-  ________________________________________________________

 

2.- Nowadays, how many countries are there in the European Union?

_______________________________________________________ .

 

3.-  What Treaty was signed in 1957 ? And what was created in that year?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ .

4. - What Treaty was signed in 1992?  And what was created in that year?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ .

5 . - Fill in the gaps about European Institutions.

- They discuss and approve new laws.  ___________________________.

- In the European Parliament there are elections every _______________

 

-The Court of Justice is in  ____________________ .

- It is charge of foreign policy and common security. _______________________ .