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Archive for February 7th, 2010

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The European Union begins with the goal of putting a stop to the ongoing bloody wars that existed with neighboring countries in Europe. With the Second World War friction had reached its highest point. In order to secure not only lasting peace but to unite countries politically and economically, a move is made to unite European countries. With the formation of the European Coal and Steel Community, unification begins.
The founding fathers of the European Union were: Konrad Adenauer, Sir Winston Churchill, Alcide de Gasperi, Walter Hallstein, Jean Monnet, Robert Schuman, Paul Henri Spaak, and Alteiro Spinelli.

1950 — Robert Schuman, French Foreign Minister, presents a plan for deeper cooperation. Later, every 9 May is celebrated as ‘Europe Day’.

1951 – The countries of France, Italy, West Germany and the three Benelux countries (Belgium, Luxembourg, and Netherlands) make an agreement (Treaty of Paris) to unify their coal and steel markets.

1956 – The people of Hungary rise up in protest against the Communist regime. Hungarians pull down a statue of Stalin, which stood in their capital, Budapest. Soviet tanks come to the streets of Budapest, putting down the protests.

1957 – The six original countries to join the European Union—France, Italy, West Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and Netherlands—sign the Treaty of Rome which creates the original European Union, then called the European Economic Community (EEC) or otherwise known as “Common Market.” The Treaty of Rome allows for people, goods and services to move freely across the borders.
It is during this same year that the Soviet Union leads in the “space race,” beating out the United States. It launches the first man-made space satellite known as “Sputnik 1,” which orbits the earth. In 1961 the Soviet Union once again beats the United States with the first cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin.

1960’s – This time period is known as the “Swinging Sixties.” It is during this decade that an emerging “youth culture” takes place. This is especially true with the introduction and widespread mania of “The Beatles” coming on the scene. Creating a wider gap in generations and stimulating a cultural revolution is also marked by this time period.
During the 1960’s it also becomes a favorable period for the economy. The European Union countries decide to put a stop to charging custom duties when trading with one another. There is also an agreement made over food production, thereby allowing enough food for everyone to eat.

1961 – The countries of Denmark and Ireland, along with the United Kingdom, apply to join the European Economic Community. However, Frances’s president vetoes Britain’s application. It is also during this year that authorities in communist East Germany build a wall across Berlin. This was to prevent citizens of East Germany from escaping to the West, where life there had more freedom. Some people from East Germany manage to escape while others are shot by guards as they attempt to escape.

1962 – The “Common Agricultural Policy” is developed by the European Union. This gives the countries joint control over production of food. Farmers are all paid the same price for their produce. This results in farmers earning good income and there being enough food to cover the needs of all people.

1963 – The European Union’s first international agreement is signed. This deal serves to help 18 former colonies in Africa.

1968 – Due to frustration with unresponsive governments, along with issues concerning the Vietnam War and the nuclear arms race, protests and riots by students and workers take place. Also during this year customs duties are removed on goods imported from countries within the European Union. For the first time, there is free cross-border trade. The same duties are also applied to imports from countries outside the European Union. Trade within the European Union and the rest of the world grows quickly.
During this year Soviet tanks, with over 600,000 troops occupy Prague. The Czechs and Slovaks are helpless to do anything. A student, Jan Palach, burns himself to death in protest against the occupation.

1970’s – There is a great deal of intensity concerning pollution issues. The European Union introduces “the polluter pays” which is designed to help protect the environment. Groups working toward these issues were formed, such as “Greenpeace.”

1972 – The “exchange rate mechanism” (ERM) is created which is a first step toward the eventual “euro,” which would come into effect 30 years later.

1973 – The European Economic Community allows the countries of Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom to join. In this same year a short but brutal Arab-Israeli war erupts. This creates an energy crisis and economic problems throughout the European Union.

1974 – The last of the right-wing dictatorships come to an end in Europe. This comes as a result of the Salazar regime in Portugal being overthrown, and a year later the death of General Franco of Spain. At the same time, in an effort to show solidarity, the “European Regional Development Fund” is set up by the leaders of the European Union. The purpose is to improve roads and communications, along with creating jobs to poorer regions.

1979 – By now the European Economic Community regional policy begins to assign considerable sums of money in order to create jobs and infrastructure in some of the poorer areas. The first Europe-wide elections to European Parliament take place. This allows all citizens, for the first time, to elect their members directly.

1980 – Following the Gdansk shipyard strikes the Polish trade union, Solidarność, along with its leader Lech Walesa, become household names across Europe. Other strikes take place across the country. Solidarność is created as an independent trade union. Gradually the government begins to reassert its power and by the end of 1981, imposes martial law. This ends Poland’s short time of power over the people.

1981 – Greece joins the European Economic Community, this after being eligible to join since 1974 when its military regime was overthrown and there was restoration in democracy.

1984 – In an effort to stay in the forefront of innovation, the “Esprit” program is adopted by the European Union. This is the first of many development and research programs funded by them.

1986 – Spain and Portugal join the European Economic Community.
Despite the customs duties disappearing in 1968, there is still difficulty with trade flowing freely across European Union borders. The Single European Act is signed, launching a vast six-year program. This allows work on sorting out the problems with the free-flow of trade across European Union borders, thus creating the “Single Market.” Through this act European Parliament is given more power in environmental protection.

1989 – The Berlin Wall is toppled, creating major political upheaval. The border between East and West Germany is opened. This symbolizes the collapse of communism across Central and Eastern Europe, which had begun in the countries of Hungary and Poland.

1990 – Following the fall of the Berlin Wall and subsequent reunification of Germany, the European Economic Community extends to cover what had been East Germany.

1991 – Yugoslavia begins to break apart. First there is an eruption of fighting in Croatia, which then moves to Bosnia and Herzegovina. A bloody civil war takes place between Serbs, Croats and Muslims.

1992 – An important milestone takes place within the European Union when the “Treaty on European Union” is signed. It sets clear rules concerning the future single currency along with foreign and security policy. Under this treaty, the name “European Union” officially replaces the original “European Community.”

1993 – The “Single Market” is established with the “four freedoms” which include: free movement of goods, services, people and money. It is during this year that the “Maastricht Treaty” is signed.

1995- The European Economic Community officially becomes the European Union. Australia, Sweden and Finland join the union. With now 15 members joining the union, almost the whole of Western Europe is included. Communication is also expanded during this time period with more people using mobile phones and the internet.
Seven countries—Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Portugal—are affected by the “Schengen Agreement.” This allows travelers of any nationality to journey between these seven countries without any passport control.

1997 – The “Treaty of Amsterdam” is signed. This builds on the achievements of the “Maastricht Treaty” signed in 1993. It gives Europe a stronger voice in the world, reforming European Union institutions. It also allows for greater concentration on resources for employment and the rights of citizens.

1999 – The “euro” (single European currency) is launched.

2004 – The biggest expansion yet to take place occurs with eight former communist countries in Central and Eastern Europe joining the European Union. They include: Cyprus, Malta, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovic Republic, Estonia, Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia.

2007 -- Romania and Bulgaria join the European Union. Between the years 2000 and 2008 the process of all the countries joining the union contributed to an average 1.75 percentage points to the annual GDP growth amongst these countries. Such enlargement brings economic benefits to existing European Union members as new export markets open up.

Today – Today’s European Union contains 27 member states which include:
Germany
France
Britain
Italy
Spain
Poland
Romania
Netherlands
Greece
Belgium
Portugal
Czech Republic
Hungary
Sweden
Austria
Bulgaria
Denmark
Slovakia
Finland
Ireland
Lithuania
Latvia
Slovenia
Estonia
Cyprus
Luxembourg
Malta

Under current rules in the European council, where heads of government meet to make decisions, voting rights are rewarded roughly in proportion to a country’s population. Although, smaller countries tend to do better proportionally than larger countries do.
Recently Croatia, Macedonia and Turkey have had their applications officially accepted. It appears that the only one of those countries to likely join in the near future is Croatia. This would probably happen in 2011. Negotiations with Macedonia are being blocked by Greece, which has concerns about the former Yugoslav’s Republics name. Turkey’s movement toward joining the union has stalled due to concerns amongst senior European leaders. There is concern that Turkey should even belong to the European Union.
In 2009 Iceland applied to join the European Union. Its economy has been wrecked by financial crisis, so they hope to be able to join quickly.
Albania, Montenegro, and Serbia have been allowed but the countries of Bosnia and Kosovo are some way off yet.
Further East, with Ukraine, the issue of joining the European Union becomes murkier. Ukraine is the poorest country in the region. They are keen on the idea of joining, however, the European Union is deeply wary of extending an invitation to such a large, poor country that has been wracked by instability and corruption.
Georgia aspires to earn European Union membership but there is real no prospect of this in the short or even medium term.
The euro is the new currency for many Europeans. The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks against New York and Washington seem to be influence Europe’s work on fighting crime. The political divisions between East and West Europe are declared healed in the year 2004, when the biggest expansion into the union took place. To date, there is still debate about the future of Europe. Many people think it is time for Europe to develop a constitution but what sort of constitution is by no means easy to agree.

Nota: No futuro, colocarei aqui uma versão em português mais "seca", voltada para informações como datas e nomes de tratados.

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