Difference between revisions of "United Nations of the Auroran Continent"

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{{WIP}}
 
{{Infobox country
 
{{Infobox country
 
|conventional_long_name = The United Nations of the Auroran Continent
 
|conventional_long_name = The United Nations of the Auroran Continent
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|image_flag =        UNACflag.jpg
 
|image_flag =        UNACflag.jpg
 
|flag_footnote =      Flag
 
|flag_footnote =      Flag
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|national_motto =     
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|national_motto =    Iuncti Inde Diversitas
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|national_anthem =   
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|national_anthem =  "Ode to Joy"
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|image_map =           
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|image_map =          UNAC.png
 
|loctext =             
 
|loctext =             
 
|alt_map =             
 
|alt_map =             
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|capital =            Aura, Weyrcliff, Sani Bursil
 
|capital =            Aura, Weyrcliff, Sani Bursil
 
|largest_city =      Sani Bursil
 
|largest_city =      Sani Bursil
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|official_languages = [[wikipedia: english language|Codexian]], [[wikipedia: Japanese|Minarin]], [[Unonian]], [[wikipedia:Italian language|New Axdelian]], [[wikipedia:Faroese language|Staynish (simplified)]], [[wikipedia:Icelandic language|Old Staynic]], [[wikipedia:Irish Gaelic|Corstanese]], Lishboyara, Labian, [[wikipedia:Manx language|Jubliakese]], Rekliese, [[wikipedia:Vulgar Latin|Calth]], [[wikipedia:Cumbric|Higher Miyaron]], [[wikipedia:Norn language|Horkalese]], [[wikipedia:Cornish|Lower Miyaron]], [[wikipedia:Scotish Gaelic|Justelvardic]], [[wikipedia:Erzya language|Amos Noc]], [[wikipedia:Finland Swedish|Accerus]], Atlantean, [[wikipedia:Frisian|Frisian]], [[wikipedia: French language|Wachovian]],  and [[wikipedia: Arabic|Kostuvian]], [[Nation/The Oan Isles#Languages|Oan (Oalanu)]]
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|official_languages = [[wikipedia: english language|Codexian]], [[wikipedia: Japanese|Minarin]], [[Unonian]], [[wikipedia:Italian language|Axdan Language]], [[wikipedia:Faroese language|Staynish (simplified)]], [[wikipedia:Icelandic language|Old Staynic]], [[wikipedia:Irish Gaelic|Corstanese]], Lishboyara, Labian, [[wikipedia:Manx language|Jubliakese]], Rekliese, [[wikipedia:Vulgar Latin|Calth]], [[wikipedia:Cumbric|Higher Miyaron]], [[wikipedia:Norn language|Horkalese]], [[wikipedia:Cornish|Lower Miyaron]], [[wikipedia:Scotish Gaelic|Justelvardic]], [[wikipedia:Erzya language|Amos Noc]], [[wikipedia:Finland Swedish|Accerus]], Atlantean, [[wikipedia:Frisian|Frisian]], [[wikipedia: French language|Wachovian]],  and [[Nation/The Oan Isles#Languages|Oan (Oalanu)]]
 
|ethnic_groups =       
 
|ethnic_groups =       
 
|ethnic_groups_year = 2015 Estimate
 
|ethnic_groups_year = 2015 Estimate
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|population_density_km2 =  
 
|population_density_km2 =  
 
|population_density_sq_mi =  
 
|population_density_sq_mi =  
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|GDP_nominal = 25,553,412,960,404.35 KRB
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|GDP_nominal = 29.4 trillion 5 KRB
 
|GDP_nominal_year = 2015
 
|GDP_nominal_year = 2015
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|GDP_nominal_per_capita = 21,157.73 KRB
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|GDP_nominal_per_capita = 24,342.63 KRB
 
|Gini =                         
 
|Gini =                         
 
|Gini_year = 2016
 
|Gini_year = 2016
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The '''United Nations of the Auroran Continent''' ('''UNAC''') is a political and economic union of memberstates that are located primarily in Aurora. It has an area of , and an estimated population of over 1.1 billion. The UNAC has developed an internal single market through a standardised system of laws that apply in all member states. UNAC policies aim to ensure the free movement of people, goods, services, and capital within the internal market, enact legislation in justice and home affairs, and maintain common policies on trade, agriculture, and regional development. Within the ____ Area, passport controls have been abolished. A monetary union in the form of the Auroran Continental Bank was established in 1975, utilizing many aspects of the Bank of the Morstaybishlian Empire, and came into full force a few years after. Initially under direct regulation of the ACA, the Auroran Continental Bank was reorganized as its own independent organization, in an effort to decentralize the currency; a direct result of the "Auroran Split." The ____ Area is composed of __ member states which use the Kirib currency, which is at a current exchange rate of 1.15 KRB to 1 SHD.
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The '''United Nations of the Auroran Continent''' ('''UNAC''') is a political and economic union of 19 member states and two observer states ([[Nilovia]] and [[East Malaysia]]) that are located in Aurora, except for East Malaysia which exists directly north of the continent. It has an area of 14,360,300 sq km, and an estimated population of around 1 billion. The UNAC has developed an internal single market through a standardised system of laws that apply in all member states. UNAC policies aim to ensure the free movement of people, goods, services, and capital within the internal market, enact legislation in justice and home affairs, and maintain common policies on trade, agriculture, and regional development. Within the Aegis Area, passport controls have been abolished. A monetary union in the form of the Auroran Continental Bank was established in 1975, utilizing many aspects of the Bank of the Morstaybishlian Empire, and came into full force a few years after. Initially under direct regulation of the ACA, the Auroran Continental Bank was reorganized as its own independent organization, in an effort to make the currency more independent of political affairs; a direct result of the "[[United_Nations_of_the_Auroran_Continent#Renewed_Rise_in_Nationalism_and_The_Auroran_Split_.281996-2017.29|Auroran Split]]." The Aegis Area is composed of 15 member states, all of which use the Kirib currency, except [[Quartz Fern Coast]].
  
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The UNAC traces its origins from the [[Auroran Continental Assembly]] (ACA) and the short-lived [[Auroran Union]] (AU), established, respectively, by the 1976 Weyrcliff Pact and during the 2017 Sani Bursil Summit, the latter of which was formed in direct competition of the former due to apparent shortcomings in the ACA's enforcement of established policy during the Auroran-Pacific War. The ACA, having grandfathered the former members of the ACA and the AU, consists of __ members, and __ observer member(s).
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The UNAC traces its origins from the [[Auroran Continental Assembly]] (ACA) and the short-lived [[Auroran Union]] (AU), established, respectively, by the 1976 Weyrcliff Pact and during the 2017 Sani Bursil Summit, the latter of which was formed in direct competition of the former due to apparent shortcomings in the ACA's enforcement of established policy during the Auroran-Pacific War. The UNAC, having grandfathered the former members of the ACA and the AU, consists of 19 members, and 2 observer members.
  
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While no member state has left the UNAC, its predecessor, the Auroran Continental Assembly, saw the secession of Baykalia, a result of a major change in Baykalian leadership. The Grand Matriarchy of Ethalria, a former member of the ACA, fractured into four new nations following the conclusion of the [[Auroran-Pacific War]], all four aforementioned nations having been instated into the Union. All four nations, however, are exempt from certain secession rules applicable to other nations in an effort to allow the nations to "chart their own course".
  
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While no member state has left the UNAC, its predecessor, the Auroran Continental Assembly, saw the secession of Baykalia, a result of a major change in Baykalian leadership. The Grand Matriarchy of Ethalria, a former member of the ACA, fractured into four new nations following the conclusion of the [[Auroran-Pacific War]], all four of which have been instated into the Union, but all four have been exempt from certain secession rules applicable to other nations.
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Covering nearly 17% of the world population, the UNAC in 2017 generated a nominal [[gross domestic product]] (GDP) of 29.4 trillion SH dollars, constituting between 20% and 25% of global nominal GDP. Because of its global influence, the United Nations of the Auroran Continent has been described occasionally by some as a superpower.
  
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Covering 7.3% of the world population, the EU in 2016 generated a nominal [[gross domestic product]] (GDP) of _____ trillion US dollars, constituting approximately ____% of global [[nominal GDP]]. Through the [[Common Foreign and Security Policy]], the EU has developed a role in [[Foreign relations of the European Union|external relations]] and [[Military of the European Union|defence]]. The union maintains diplomatic missions throughout the world. Because of its global influence, the European Union has been described by some as an emerging superpower.
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== History ==
  
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==History==
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===Background===
  
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=== Background ===
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Pan-Auroran political thought emerged during the mid and late 20th century, prompted primarily by the devastating effects of the Auroran Imperial War. In the decades following the summit that formed the Weyrcliff Pact, ideals of Auroran unity were first introduced on the continent, with the majority of the continent adopting these new policies.
  
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Pan-Auroran political thought truly emerged during the mid and late 20th century, prompted primarily by the devastating effects of the Auroran Imperial War. In the decades following the outcomes of the Congress of Weyrcliff, ideals of Auroran unity were first introduced on the continent, with the majority of the continent adopting these new policies.
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During the long interwar period, the consciousness that national markets in Aurora were interdependent though confrontational, along with the observation of a larger and growing Yasterian (In particular, the members of the [[Kerilo Accord]] and the large Pax Caliphate) market to the north, fostered the urge for the economic integration of the continent.
  
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During the interwar period, the consciousness that national markets in Europe were interdependent though confrontational, along with the observation of a larger and growing Yasterian (In particular, the members of the [[Kerilo Accord]]) market on the other side of the ocean, nourished the urge for the economic integration of the continent.
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===The Weyrcliff Pact and The Auroran Continental Assembly(1975-2016)===
  
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===Preliminary (1975)===
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After the Auroran Imperial War (AIW), Auroran integration was seen as a solution to the extreme nationalism which had devastated the continent, and the participants of the AIW would attempt a Pan-Aurora unionization. In 1976, The Morstaybishlian Empire, The Grand Republic of Salovia, The Republic of Xagrurg, The Free State of Kostoria-Obertonia, The Republic of Norograd, and The Grand Matriarchy of Ethalria signed the Weyrcliff Pact, which established the baseline policy of future treaties and unions to come, in particular the then-newly-formed Auroran Continental Assembly (ACA). The first attempt at economic integration, it had relative success in its beginning years, setting the foundation for and the construction of numerous public works projects, most notably the Auroran highway system and the continent-widespread adoption of the [[Kirib]] as the de facto currency of Aurora.
  
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After the Auroran Imperial War, Auroran integration was seen as a solution to the extreme nationalism which had devastated the continent.
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===Renewed Rise in Nationalism and The Auroran Split (1996-2017)===
  
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===The Weyrcliff Pact and Auroran Continental Assembly(1976-2016)===
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The end of both the Norograd Civil War in 1996 and the Salovian Civil War in 2005 saw a dramatic rise in nationalism, especially within the former Salovian territories of Kostromastan and Baykalia. Radical nationalist factions within Ethalria also saw their popularity slowly grow through this period, and over time the growth of these factions would eventually result in the escalation of tensions within the continent. Ethalria and its neighbor, the Greater Xagrurgian Empire, along with the northern half of the Kostrom Confederation, would form an alliance of its own, known as the Axis. Despite the obvious threat this alliance posed to the continent's peace, the ACA would do nothing in opposition to it. In response to this lack of action, the Oan Isles sent to other Auroran nations an offer to join a new union that would take the form of the Auroran Union. The nations of The United Kingdom, Tivot, Tuvaltastan, Blueacia, The Oan Isles, and The Yor Isles would ratify the Auroran Union's treaty. This rapid ratification would soon be called the "Auroran Split" by some.
  
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In 1976, The Morstaybishlian Empire, The Grand Republic of Kostuvastan, The Republic of Xagrurg, The Free State of Kostoria-Obertonia, The Republic of Norograd, and The Grand Matriarchy of Ethalria signed the Weyrcliff Pact, which established the baseline policy of future treaties and unions to come.
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===The Aurora-Pacific War and The Aura Reunification Summit of 2018 (2017-Present)===
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The EEC and Euratom were created separately from the ECSC, although they shared the same courts and the Common Assembly.  The EEC was headed by [[Walter Hallstein]] ([[Hallstein Commission]]) and Euratom was headed by [[Louis Armand]] ([[Armand Commission]]) and then [[Étienne Hirsch]]. Euratom was to integrate sectors in nuclear energy while the EEC would develop a customs union among members.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cvce.eu/obj/a_european_atomic_energy_community-en-19bc7f11-bea1-49c7-b534-18327c303f41.html |title=A European Atomic Energy Community |publisher=Cvce.eu |date=13 October 1997 |accessdate=13 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cvce.eu/obj/a_european_customs_union-en-a11a5f17-d744-479e-ba75-2c70b6058608.html|title=A European Customs Union|work=cvce.eu}}</ref>
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During the 1960s, tensions began to show, with France seeking to limit supranational power. Nevertheless, in 1965 an agreement was reached and on 1 July 1967 the [[Merger Treaty]] created a single set of institutions for the three communities, which were collectively referred to as the ''[[European Communities]]''.<ref name="ENA Merge">{{cite web|url=http://www.cvce.eu/obj/merging_the_executives-en-575850b6-f472-406a-936d-8c08a9e0db32.html|title=Merging the executives|publisher=CVCE&nbsp;– Centre Virtuel de la Connaissance sur l'Europe|accessdate=28 April 2013}}</ref><ref>[http://www.cvce.eu/obj/merging_the_executives-en-575850b6-f472-406a-936d-8c08a9e0db32.html Merging the executives] CVCE.eu</ref> [[Jean Rey (politician)|Jean Rey]] [[President of the European Commission|presided over]] the first merged Commission ([[Rey Commission]]).<ref>[http://ec.europa.eu/archives/commission_2004-2009/index_en.htm Discover the former Presidents: The Rey Commission], Europa (web portal). Retrieved 28 April 2013.</ref>
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[[File:Thefalloftheberlinwall1989.JPG|thumb|In 1989, the [[Iron Curtain]] fell, enabling the union to [[Enlargement of the European Union|expand]] further ([[Berlin Wall]] pictured).]]
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In 1973, the Communities were enlarged to include [[Denmark]] (including [[Greenland]], which later [[Greenlandic European Communities membership referendum, 1982|left the Communities]] in 1985, following a dispute over fishing rights), [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]], and the [[Accession of the United Kingdom to the European Communities|United Kingdom]].<ref name="ENA First enlargement">{{cite web|title=The first enlargement|publisher=CVCE|url=http://www.cvce.eu/obj/the_first_enlargement-en-fa871903-53b5-497e-855f-01c9842c7b94.html|accessdate=28 April 2013}}</ref> Norway had negotiated to join at the same time, but Norwegian voters rejected membership in a [[Norwegian European Communities membership referendum, 1972|referendum]]. In 1979, the [[European Parliament election, 1979|first direct elections]] to the European Parliament were held.<ref name="ENA New Parliament">{{cite web|title=The new European Parliament|publisher=CVCE|url=http://www.cvce.eu/obj/the_new_european_parliament-en-e40aba1b-45f1-43bf-bbd1-a34bb52f15db.html|accessdate=28 April 2013}}</ref> This was marked by a special international friendly football match at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]] between two teams called "The Three" and "The Six" which finished 2-0 to "The Three".
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[[Greece]] joined in 1981, [[Portugal]] and [[Spain]] following in 1986.<ref name="ENA Enlargement negotiations">{{cite web|title=Negotiations for enlargement|publisher=CVCE|url=http://www.cvce.eu/obj/negotiations_for_enlargement-en-19a4fd81-119d-4090-bfac-c7cc8ae64a20.html|accessdate=28 April 2013}}</ref> In 1985, the [[Schengen Agreement]] paved the way for the creation of open borders without passport controls between most member states and some non-member states.<ref>{{cite news |title=Schengen agreement |date=30 April 2001 |publisher=BBC News |accessdate=18 September 2009 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/europe/euro-glossary/1230052.stm}}</ref> In 1986, the [[Flag of Europe|European flag]] began to be used by the EEC<ref>{{cite web|title=History of the flag|publisher=Europa web portal|url=http://europa.eu/abc/symbols/emblem/index_en.htm|accessdate=13 March 2009}}</ref> and the [[Single European Act]] was signed.
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In 1990, after [[revolutions of 1989|the fall of the Eastern Bloc]], the former [[East Germany]] became part of the Communities as part of a [[German reunification|reunified Germany]].<ref name="Europa History 80-89">{{cite web|url=http://europa.eu/abc/history/1980-1989/index_en.htm|title=1980–1989 The changing face of Europe – the fall of the Berlin Wall|publisher=Europa web portal|accessdate=25 June 2007}}</ref> A close fiscal integration with the introduction of the euro was not matched by institutional oversight making things more troubling. Attempts to solve the problems and to make the EU more efficient and coherent had limited success.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=The World Transformed, 1945 to the Present|last=Hunt|first=Michael H.|publisher=Oxford University press|year=2014|isbn=9780199371037|location=New York, New York|pages=516–517}}</ref>&nbsp;With further enlargement planned to include the former [[communist state]]s of Central and Eastern Europe, as well as [[Cyprus]] and [[Malta]], the [[Copenhagen criteria]] for candidate members to join the EU were agreed upon in June 1993. The expansion of the EU introduced a new level of complexity and discord.<ref name=":0" />
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===2017 Sani Bursil Summit and the Auroran Union (2017-2018) ===
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[[File:Euro banknotes 2002.png|thumb|right|The [[euro]] was introduced in 2002, replacing 12 national currencies. Seven countries have since joined.]]
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The European Union was formally established when the [[Maastricht Treaty]]—whose main architects were [[Helmut Kohl]] and [[François Mitterrand]]—came into force on 1 November 1993.{{sfn|Craig |De Burca|2011|page=15}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Treaty of Maastricht on European Union|url=http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/economic_and_monetary_affairs/institutional_and_economic_framework/treaties_maastricht_en.htm|work=Activities of the European Union|publisher=Europa web portal|accessdate=20 October 2007}}</ref> The treaty also gave the name [[European Community]] to the EEC, even if it was referred as such before the treaty. In 1995, [[Austria]], [[Finland]], and [[Sweden]] joined the EU.
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In 2002, euro banknotes and coins replaced national currencies in 12 of the member states. Since then, the [[eurozone]] has increased to encompass 19 countries. The euro currency became the second largest reserve currency in the world. In 2004, the EU saw [[2004 enlargement of the European Union|its biggest enlargement to date]] when [[Cyprus]], the [[Czech Republic]], [[Estonia]], [[Hungary]], [[Latvia]], [[Lithuania]], [[Malta]], [[Poland]], [[Slovakia]], and [[Slovenia]] joined the Union.<ref name="Europa History 00">{{cite web|title=A decade of further expansion |publisher=Europa web portal |url=http://europa.eu/abc/history/2000_today/index_en.htm |accessdate=25 June 2007 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070615031714/http://europa.eu/abc/history/2000_today/index_en.htm |archivedate=15 June 2007 |deadurl=yes |df=dmy }}</ref>
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===Lisbon Treaty (2007{{ndash}}present)===
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[[File:Tratado de Lisboa 13 12 2007 (081).jpg|thumb|left|In 2009, the [[Treaty of Lisbon|Lisbon Treaty]] entered into force.]]
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In 2007, [[Bulgaria]] and [[Romania]] became EU members. The same year, [[Slovenian euro coins|Slovenia]] adopted the euro,<ref name="Europa History 00"/> followed in 2008 by [[Cypriot euro coins|Cyprus]] and [[Maltese euro coins|Malta]], by [[Slovak euro coins|Slovakia]] in 2009, by [[Estonian euro coins|Estonia]] in 2011, by [[Latvian euro coins|Latvia]] in 2014, and by [[Lithuania euro coins|Lithuania]] in 2015.
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On 1 December 2009, the [[Treaty of Lisbon|Lisbon Treaty]] entered into force and reformed many aspects of the EU. In particular, it changed the legal structure of the European Union, merging the [[Three pillars of the European Union|EU three pillars]] system into a single legal entity provisioned with a [[legal personality]], created a permanent [[President of the European Council]], the first of which was [[Herman Van Rompuy]], and strengthened the position of the [[High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy]].{{sfn|Piris|2010|page=448}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://government.zdnet.com/?p=6266|title=European Parliament announces new President and Foreign Affairs Minister|accessdate=1 December 2009}}</ref>
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[[File:Nobel Peace Concert 2012 IMG 4451.JPG|thumb|EU representatives receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012]]
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In 2012, the EU received the [[2012 Nobel Peace Prize|Nobel Peace Prize]] for having "contributed to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy, and human rights in Europe."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2012/|title=The Nobel Peace Prize 2012|publisher=Nobelprize.org|date=12 October 2012|accessdate=12 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=Nobel Committee Awards Peace Prize to E.U|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/13/world/nobel-peace-prize.html?_r=0|publisher=New York Times|date=12 October 2012|accessdate=12 October 2012}}</ref> In 2013, [[Croatia]] became the 28th EU member.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22218640|title=Croatia: From isolation to EU membership  |agency=BBC|accessdate=14 May 2013|work=BBC News|date=26 April 2013}}</ref>
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From the beginning of the 2010s, the cohesion of the European Union has been tested by several issues, including [[European debt crisis|a debt crisis in some of the Eurozone countries]], [[European migrant crisis|increasing migration from the Middle East]], and the [[Brexit|United Kingdom's withdrawal from the EU]].<ref name="BBCUKREFRESLT">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/politics/eu_referendum/results|title=EU　Referendum Result|publisher=BBC|accessdate=26 June 2016}}</ref> A [[United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, 2016|referendum in the UK on its membership of the European Union]] was held on 23 June 2016, with 51.9% of participants voting to leave.<ref name=NYTEUBrexit>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/25/world/europe/britain-brexit-european-union-referendum.html|title=Britain Votes to Leave E.U., Stunning the World|last=Erlanger|first=Steven|date=23 June 2016|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=24 June 2016}}</ref> This is referred to in common parlance throughout Europe as ''[[Brexit]]'', a [[portmanteau]] of "Britain" and "exit". The UK formally notified the European Council of its decision to leave on 29 March 2017 initiating the [[Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union|formal withdrawal procedure]] for leaving the EU, committing the UK to leave the EU on 29 March 2019.<ref>{{cite web|title='No turning back' on Brexit as Article 50 triggered|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-39431428|website=BBC politics|accessdate=29 March 2017}}</ref>
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===Structural evolution===
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{{main|Treaties of the European Union}}
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The following timeline illustrates the [[European integration|integration]] that has led to the formation of the present union, in terms of structural development driven by international treaties:
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{{EU evolution timeline}}
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==Geography==
 
==Geography==
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{{Main|Geography of the European Union}}
 
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[[File:European Union biogeography countries.svg|thumb|upright=1.35|[[Biogeography|Biogeographic regions]] of the continental European Union, according to the [[European Environment Agency|European Environmental Agency]].]]
 
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The EU's member states cover an area of {{convert|4423147|km2|sqmi|0}}.<ref group="lower-alpha" name="Area.and.population.figure">This figure includes the extra-European territories of member states which are part of the European Union and excludes the European territories of member states which are not part of the Union. For more information see [[Special member state territories and the European Union]].</ref> The EU's highest peak is [[Mont Blanc]] in the [[Graian Alps]], {{convert|4810.45|m|ft|0}} [[Above mean sea level|above sea level]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/environment/mont-blanc-shrinks-by-45cm-in-two-years-20091106-i0kk.html |title=Mont Blanc shrinks by {{convert|45|cm|2|abbr=on}} in two years |work=Sydney Morning Herald |accessdate=26 November 2010 |date=6 November 2009}}</ref> The lowest points in the EU are [[Lammefjorden]], [[Denmark]] and [[Zuidplaspolder]], [[Netherlands]], at 7&nbsp;m (23&nbsp;ft) below sea level.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ee.html|title=The World Factbook|work=cia.gov|accessdate=12 February 2016}}</ref>
 
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The landscape, climate, and economy of the EU are influenced by its coastline, which is {{convert|65993|km|mi|0}} long.{{multiple image
 
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|image1=Peñón de Ifach - Calpe- Spain.jpg
 
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|alt1= Mediterranean coast
 
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|caption1=The {{convert|65993|km|0|abbr=on}} coastline dominates the European climate ([[Natural Park of Penyal d'Ifac]], [[Spain]]).
 
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|image2=Mont-Blanc and Lake of Passy.JPG
 
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| alt2 = Mont Blanc
 
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|caption2=[[Mont Blanc]] in the [[Alps]] is the highest peak in the EU.
 
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Including the overseas territories of France which are located outside the continent of Europe, but which are members of the union, the EU experiences most [[Köppen climate classification|types of climate]] from [[Polar climate|Arctic]] (North-East Europe) to tropical ([[French Guiana]]), rendering meteorological averages for the EU as a whole meaningless. The majority of the population lives in areas with a temperate [[oceanic climate|maritime climate]] (North-Western Europe and Central Europe), a [[Mediterranean climate]] (Southern Europe), or a warm summer continental or [[hemiboreal]] climate (Northern [[Balkans]] and Central Europe).<ref name="Humid Continental climate">{{cite web|url=http://www.uwsp.edu/geo/faculty/ritter/geog101/textbook/climate_systems/humid_continental.html|title=Humid Continental Climate|year=2007|publisher=University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point|work=The physical environment|accessdate=29 June 2007|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070530170321/http://www.uwsp.edu/geo/faculty/ritter/geog101/textbook/climate_systems/humid_continental.html|archivedate=30 May 2007}}</ref>
 
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The EU's population is highly urbanised, with some 75% of inhabitants living in [[urban area]]s as of 2006. Cities are largely spread out across the EU, although with a [[Blue Banana|large grouping]] in and around the [[Benelux]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/eea_report_2006_10/eea_report_10_2006.pdf |title=Urban sprawl in Europe: The ignored challenge, European Environmental Agency |format=PDF |date=2006|accessdate=13 October 2013}}</ref>
 
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{{clear left}}
 
−
{{Clear}}
 
  
 
===Environment===
 
===Environment===
−
{{Further|European Commissioner for the Environment|European Climate Change Programme}}
 
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[[File:Hajnówka, Poland - panoramio (73).jpg|thumb|left|[[European bison|Bison]] in Białowieża Forest]]
 
−
 
−
In 1957, when the EEC was founded, it had no environmental policy.<ref>Jordan, A.J. and Adelle, C. (eds)(2012) Environmental Policy in the European Union: Contexts, Actors and Policy Dynamics (3e). Earthscan: London and Sterling, Virginia</ref> Over the past 50 years, an increasingly dense network of legislation has been created, extending to all areas of environmental protection, including air pollution, water quality, waste management, nature conservation, and the control of chemicals, industrial hazards, and biotechnology.<ref>Knill, C. and Liefferink, D.(2012) The establishment of EU environmental policy, In: Jordan, A.J. and Adelle, C. (eds) Environmental Policy in the European Union: Contexts, Actors and Policy Dynamics (3e). Earthscan: London and Sterling, Virginia</ref> According to the [[Institute for European Environmental Policy]], environmental law comprises over 500 Directives, Regulations and Decisions, making environmental policy a core area of European politics.<ref name="European Environmental Policy 2012">Institute for European Environmental Policy (2012) Manual of European Environmental Policy, Earthscan, London.</ref>
 
−
 
−
European policy-makers originally increased the EU's capacity to act on environmental issues by defining it as a trade problem.<ref>Knill, C. and Liefferink, D.(2012) The establishment of EU environmental policy, In: Jordan, A.J. and Adelle, C. (eds) Environmental Policy in the European Union: Contexts, Actors and Policy Dynamics (3e). Earthscan: London and Sterling, VA.</ref>
 
−
[[Trade barrier]]s and competitive distortions in the Common Market could emerge due to the different environmental standards in each member state.<ref>Johnson, S.P. and Corcelle, G. (1989) The Environmental Policy of the European Communities, Graham & Trotman, London</ref> In subsequent years, the environment became a formal policy area, with its own policy actors, principles and procedures. The legal basis for EU environmental policy was established with the introduction of the Single European Act in 1987.<ref name="European Environmental Policy 2012"/>
 
−
 
−
[[File:Ciconia nigra 1 (Lukasz Lukasik) edit.jpg|thumb|left|A [[black stork]], a protected species under Regulation (EC) No. 338/97]]
 
−
 
−
Initially, EU environmental policy focused on Europe. More recently, the EU has demonstrated leadership in global environmental governance, e.g. the role of the EU in securing the ratification and coming into force of the [[Kyoto Protocol]] despite opposition from the [[United States]]. This international dimension is reflected in the EU's Sixth Environmental Action Programme,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv:l28027|title=EUR-Lex – l28027 – EN – EUR-Lex|publisher=eur-lex.europa.eu}}</ref> which recognises that its objectives can only be achieved if key international agreements are actively supported and properly implemented both at EU level and worldwide. The Lisbon Treaty further strengthened the leadership ambitions.<ref>Benson, D. and Adelle, C. (2012) European Union environmental policy after the Lisbon Treaty, In: Jordan, A.J. and Adelle, C. (eds) Environmental Policy in the European Union: Contexts, Actors and Policy Dynamics (3e). Earthscan: London and Sterling, VA.</ref> EU law has played a significant role in improving habitat and species protection in Europe, as well as contributing to improvements in air and water quality and waste management.<ref name="European Environmental Policy 2012"/>
 
−
 
−
Mitigating [[climate change]] is one of the top priorities of EU environmental policy. In 2007, member states agreed that, in the future, 20% of the energy used across the EU must be [[renewable energy|renewable]], and carbon dioxide emissions have to be lower in 2020 by at least 20% compared to 1990 levels.<ref name="EUO energy">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2008/jan/23/climatechange.eu1|title=EU sets 20% target for carbon cuts|accessdate=29 February 2008|work=The Guardian |first=Jessica|last=Aldred|location=London|date=23 January 2008}}</ref>  The EU has adopted an [[Emissions trading|emissions trading system]] to incorporate [[carbon emissions]] into the economy.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/ets/index_en.htm|title=The EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS)}}</ref> The [[European Green Capital]] is an annual award given to cities that focuses on the environment, energy efficiency, and quality of life in urban areas to create [[smart city]].
 
  
 
==Demographics==
 
==Demographics==
−
{{Main|Demographics of the European Union}}
 
  
−
=== Population ===
 
−
[[File:Density of Population in EU 2014.svg|right|thumb|EU population density in 2014]]
 
−
{{See also|Ageing of Europe}}As of 1 January 2016, the population of the European Union is about 510.1&nbsp;million people (6.9% of the world population).<ref name="population" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/File:Share_of_world_population,_1960,_2015_and_2060_(%25)_2.png|title=File:Share of world population, 1960, 2015 and 2060 (%) 2.png - Statistics Explained|website=ec.europa.eu|language=en|access-date=28 June 2017}}</ref> In 2015, 5.1 million children were born in the EU-28, corresponding to a [[birth rate]] of 10 per 1,000, which is 8 births below the world average.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2054.html|title=The World Factbook — Central Intelligence Agency|website=www.cia.gov|language=en|access-date=28 June 2017|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071211213638/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2054.html|archivedate=11 December 2007|df=dmy-all}}</ref> For comparison, the EU-28 birth rate had stood at 10.6 in 2000, 12.8 in 1985 and 16.3 in 1970.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Fertility_statistics|title=Fertility statistics - Statistics Explained|website=ec.europa.eu|language=en|access-date=28 June 2017}}</ref> Its [[population growth]] rate was positive at an estimated 0.23% in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2002rank.html|title=The World Factbook — Central Intelligence Agency|website=www.cia.gov|language=en|access-date=23 November 2017}}</ref>
 
  
−
In 2010, 47.3 million people who lived in the EU were born outside their resident country. This corresponds to 9.4% of the total EU population. Of these, 31.4 million (6.3%) were born outside the EU and 16.0 million (3.2%) were born in another EU member state. The largest absolute numbers of people born outside the EU were in [[Germany]] (6.4 million), [[France]] (5.1 million), the [[United Kingdom]] (4.7 million), [[Spain]] (4.1 million), [[Italy]] (3.2 million), and the [[Netherlands]] (1.4 million).<ref>[http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_OFFPUB/KS-SF-11-034/EN/KS-SF-11-034-EN.PDF 6.5% of the EU population are foreigners and 9.4% are born abroad] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812185554/http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_OFFPUB/KS-SF-11-034/EN/KS-SF-11-034-EN.PDF |date=12 August 2011 }}, Eurostat, Katya VASILEVA, 34/2011.</ref>
+
===Population===
  
 
===Urbanisation===
 
===Urbanisation===
−
{{See also|List of cities in the European Union by population within city limits}}
+
The continent contains numerous densely-populated metropolitan areas, notably the Sani Bursil Metropolitan Area, the Aura Metropolitan Area, the Imperium Metropolitan Area, and the Shagonar-Omsk Metropolitan Area. A continent-wide highway system connects most, if not all of the major urban areas.
−
The EU contains about 40 urban areas with populations of over one million, including the three&nbsp;[[Megacity|megacities]]&nbsp;(cities with a population of over 10 million) of [[London]],<ref name="eurostat">{{cite web|url=http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=met_pjanaggr3&lang=en|title=Eurostat – Data Explorer|publisher=Eurostat|accessdate=2 July 2015}}</ref> [[Paris urban area|Paris]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.insee.fr/fr/themes/tableau.asp?reg_id=0&ref_id=nattef01203|title=Résultats de la recherche {{!}} Insee|website=www.insee.fr|language=fr|access-date=8 November 2017}}</ref> and the [[Rhine-Ruhr]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.duesseldorf.de/en/economic/standort/agglomerationen.shtml|title=Landeshauptstadt Düsseldorf – Business location – Metropolitan areas|website=www.duesseldorf.de|accessdate=20 November 2015|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121070006/http://www.duesseldorf.de/en/economic/standort/agglomerationen.shtml|archivedate=21 November 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In addition to large [[Urban agglomeration|agglomerations]], the EU also includes several densely populated polycentric urbanised regions that have no single core but have emerged from the connection of several cities and now encompass a large [[metropolis]]. The largest of these polycentric metropolis include Rhine-Ruhr with approximately 11.5&nbsp;million inhabitants ([[Cologne]], [[Dortmund]], [[Düsseldorf]] et al.), [[Randstad]] with approx. 7&nbsp;million ([[Amsterdam]], [[Rotterdam]], [[The Hague]], [[Utrecht]] et al.), [[Frankfurt Rhine-Main]] with approx. 5.8&nbsp;million ([[Frankfurt]], [[Wiesbaden]] et al.), the [[Flemish Diamond]] with approx. 5.5&nbsp;million ([[Antwerp]], [[Brussels]], [[Leuven]], [[Ghent]] et al.), and [[Greater Copenhagen]] with approx. 4&nbsp;million ([[Copenhagen]], [[Malmö]]).<ref name="Eurostat Urban zones">{{cite web|url=http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page?_pageid=1996,45323734&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&screen=welcomeref&open=/&product=EU_MASTER_urban_audit&depth=2 |title=Indicators for larger urban zones 1999–2003 |publisher=Europa web portal |author=Eurostat |accessdate=25 January 2007 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070216010843/http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page?_pageid=1996%2C45323734&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&screen=welcomeref&open=%2F&product=EU_MASTER_urban_audit&depth=2 |archivedate=16 February 2007 |df=dmy }}</ref>{{clear}}
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{{Largest urban centers of European Union}}
+
  
 
===Languages===
 
===Languages===
−
{{Main|Languages of the European Union}}
 
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{{seealso|Euro English}}
 
−
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="border:1px black; line-height:1em; float:right; font-size:90%; margin-right:1em"
 
−
|-
 
−
! style="width:40px;"|Language
 
−
! style="width:40px;"|[[First language|Native speakers]]
 
−
! style="width:40px;"|Total
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[English language|English]]
 
−
|13%
 
−
|'''51%'''
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[German language|German]]
 
−
|'''18%'''
 
−
|32%
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[French language|French]]
 
−
|13%
 
−
|26%
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Italian language|Italian]]
 
−
|12%
 
−
|16%
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Spanish language|Spanish]]
 
−
|8%
 
−
|15%
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Polish language|Polish]]
 
−
|8%
 
−
|9%
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Romanian language|Romanian]]
 
−
|5%
 
−
|5%
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Dutch language|Dutch]]
 
−
|4%
 
−
|5%
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Greek language|Greek]]
 
−
|3%
 
−
|4%
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Hungarian language|Hungarian]]
 
−
|3%
 
−
|3%
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Portuguese language|Portuguese]]
 
−
|2%
 
−
|3%
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Czech language|Czech]]
 
−
|2%
 
−
|3%
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Swedish language|Swedish]]
 
−
|2%
 
−
|3%
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Bulgarian language|Bulgarian]]
 
−
|2%
 
−
|2%
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Slovak language|Slovak]]
 
−
|1%
 
−
|2%
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Danish language|Danish]]
 
−
|1%
 
−
|1%
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Finnish language|Finnish]]
 
−
|1%
 
−
|1%
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Lithuanian language|Lithuanian]]
 
−
|1%
 
−
|1%
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Croatian language|Croatian]]
 
−
|1%
 
−
|1%
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Slovene language|Slovenian]]
 
−
|<1%
 
−
|<1%
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Estonian language|Estonian]]
 
−
|<1%
 
−
|<1%
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Irish language|Irish]]
 
−
|<1%
 
−
|<1%
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Latvian language|Latvian]]
 
−
|<1%
 
−
|<1%
 
−
|-
 
−
|[[Maltese language|Maltese]]
 
−
|<1%
 
−
|<1%
 
−
|- class="sortbottom"
 
−
|colspan="3" style="text-align:left;"|
 
−
<small>Survey 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_386_en.pdf |title=Europeans and Their Languages, 2012 Report |format=PDF |accessdate=3 June 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106183351/http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_386_en.pdf |archivedate=6 January 2016 |df=dmy }}</ref><br />
 
−
Native: Native language<ref name="nativeLanguages">{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_386_anx_en.pdf|title=Europeans and their Languages|year=2012|publisher=europa.eu|pages=54–59|work=Special [[Eurobarometer]] 386|author=European Commission|accessdate=16 December 2012}}</ref><br />
 
−
Total: EU citizens able to hold a<br />conversation in this language<ref name="totalLanguages">{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_386_anx_en.pdf|title=Europeans and their Languages|year=2012|publisher=europa.eu|pages=78–83|work=Special [[Eurobarometer]] 386|author=European Commission|accessdate=16 December 2012}}</ref></small>
 
−
|}
 
  
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The European Union has 24 official languages: [[Bulgarian language|Bulgarian]], [[Croatian language|Croatian]], [[Czech language|Czech]], [[Danish language|Danish]], [[Dutch language|Dutch]], [[English language|English]], [[Estonian language|Estonian]], [[Finnish language|Finnish]], [[French language|French]], [[German language|German]], [[Greek language|Greek]], [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]], [[Italian language|Italian]], [[Irish language|Irish]], [[Latvian language|Latvian]], [[Lithuanian language|Lithuanian]], [[Maltese language|Maltese]], [[Polish language|Polish]], [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]], [[Romanian language|Romanian]], [[Slovak language|Slovak]], [[Slovene language|Slovene]], [[Spanish language|Spanish]], and [[Swedish language|Swedish]]. Important documents, such as legislation, are translated into every official language and the [[European Parliament]] provides translation for documents and plenary sessions.<ref name="Official Languages">{{cite web|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:31958R0001:EN:NOT|title=Council Regulation (EC) No 1791/2006 of 20 November 2006|author=EUR-Lex|date=12 December 2006|work=Official Journal of the European Union|publisher=Europa web portal|accessdate=2 February 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/education/languages/languages-of-europe/doc135_en.htm|title=Languages in Europe – Official EU Languages|publisher=EUROPA web portal|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202112407/http://ec.europa.eu/education/languages/languages-of-europe/doc135_en.htm|archivedate=2 February 2009|deadurl=yes|accessdate=12 October 2009}}</ref><ref>europarltv, official webtv of the European Parliament, is also available in all EU languages [http://www.europarltv.europa.eu/en/home.aspx]</ref>
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The UNAC has 23 official languages: Codexian, Minarin, Unonian, Axdan, Simplified Staynish, Old Staynic, Corstanese, Lishboyara, Labian, Jubliakese, Rekliese, Calth, Higher Miyaron, Horkalese, Lower Miyaron, Justelvardic, Amos Noc, Accerus, Atlantean, Frisian, Wachovian, Kostuvian, and Oan. Important documents, such as legislation, are translated into every official language and the Auroran Council provides translation for documents and plenary sessions. Due to the high number of official idioms, most of the institutions use the global lingua franca of Codexian. Even though language policy is the responsibility of member states, UNAC institutions promote multilingualism among its citizens.
  
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Due to the high number of official idioms, most of the institutions use only a handful of working languages.<ref>{{cite web|title=Languages and Europe. FAQ: Is every document generated by the EU translated into all the official languages?|publisher=Europa web portal|year=2004|url=http://europa.eu/languages/en/document/59#5|accessdate=3 February 2007}}</ref> The European Commission conducts its internal business in three ''procedural languages'' : English, French, and German. Similarly, the [[European Court of Justice]] uses French as the working language,<ref>{{citation|last=Sharpston|first=Eleanor V. E.|title=Appendix 5: Written Evidence of Advocate General Sharpston|date=29 March 2011|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201011/ldselect/ldeucom/128/12816.htm|work=The Workload of the Court of Justice of the European Union|publisher=House of Lords European Union Committee|accessdate=27 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-13-825_en.htm|title=European Commission - PRESS RELEASES  - Press release - Frequently asked questions on languages in Europe|website=europa.eu|language=en|access-date=24 June 2017}}</ref> while the [[European Central Bank]] conducts its business primarily in English.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/translation-adds-complexity-to-european-central-banks-supervisory-role-1414580925|title=Translation Adds Complexity to European Central Bank’s Supervisory Role: ECB Wants Communication in English, But EU Rules Allow Use of Any Official Language|last=Buell|first=Todd|date=29 October 2014|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|accessdate=11 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ecb.europa.eu/pub/pdf/scplps/ecblwp2.pdf|title=The Application of multilingualism in the European Union Context|last=Athanassiou|first=Phoebus|date=February 2006|publisher=ECB|page=26|accessdate=11 October 2015}}</ref>
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===Education and Science===
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[[File:Trilingv.jpg|left|thumb|upright=0.8|Official trilingual plaque in [[Satu Mare]] (Romania) in [[Romanian language|Romanian]], [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]], and [[German language|German]]]]
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−
Even though [[language policy]] is the responsibility of member states, EU institutions promote multilingualism among its citizens.<ref group="lower-alpha">See Articles 165 and 166 (ex Articles 149 and 150) of the [[Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union]], on [http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2010:083:0047:0200:EN:PDF eur-lex.europa.eu]</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=European Parliament Fact Sheets: 4.16.3. Language policy |publisher=Europa web portal |author=European Parliament |year=2004 |url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/facts/4_16_3_en.htm |accessdate=3 February 2007 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070219033654/http://www.europarl.europa.eu/facts/4_16_3_en.htm |archivedate=19 February 2007 }}</ref> English is the most widely spoken language in the EU, being understood by 51% of the EU population when counting both native and non-native speakers.<ref name="Eurobarometer Languages_P4">{{cite web|title=Special Eurobarometer 243: Europeans and their Languages (Executive Summary)|publisher=Europa web portal|author=European Commission |year=2006 |format=PDF |url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_243_sum_en.pdf|accessdate=11 March 2011|page=4|quote=English is the most commonly known language in the EU with over a half of the respondents (51%) speaking it either as their mother tongue or as a foreign language.}}</ref> German is the most widely spoken mother tongue (spoken by 16% of the EU population.) More than a half (56%) of EU citizens is able to engage in a conversation in a language other than their mother tongue.<ref name="Eurobarometer Languages_P3">{{cite web|title=Special Eurobarometer 243: Europeans and their Languages (Executive Summary)|publisher=Europa web portal|author=European Commission |year=2006 |format=PDF |url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_243_sum_en.pdf|accessdate=11 March 2011|page=3|quote=56% of citizens in the EU Member States are able to hold a conversation in one language apart from their mother tongue.}}</ref>
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−
 
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Most official languages of the EU belong to the [[Indo-European languages|Indo-European]] [[language family]], represented by the [[Balto-Slavic]],<ref group="lower-alpha">Slavic: [[Bulgarian language|Bulgarian]], [[Croatian language|Croatian]], [[Czech language|Czech]], [[Polish language|Polish]], [[Slovak language|Slovak]] and [[Slovenian language|Slovenian]]. Baltic: [[Latvian language|Latvian]] and [[Lithuanian language|Lithuanian]].</ref> the [[Italic languages|Italic]],<ref group="lower-alpha">[[French language|French]], [[Italian language|Italian]], [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]], [[Romanian language|Romanian]] and [[Spanish language|Spanish]].</ref> the [[Germanic Europe|Germanic]],<ref group="lower-alpha">[[Danish language|Danish]], [[Dutch language|Dutch]], [[English language|English]], [[German language|German]] and [[Swedish language|Swedish]].</ref> the [[Hellenic languages|Hellenic]],<ref group="lower-alpha">[[Greek language|Greek]]</ref> and the [[Celtic languages|Celtic]]<ref group="lower-alpha">[[Irish language|Irish]]</ref> branches. Some EU languages however, namely [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]], [[Finnish language|Finnish]], [[Estonian language|Estonian]] (all three [[Uralic languages|Uralic]]), [[Basque language|Basque]] ([[Vasconic languages|Vasconic]]<ref group="lower-alpha">Vasconic is still a putative family whose Basque would be the only surviving language. Basque is not an official language of the European Union but has a semi-official status.</ref>) and  [[Maltese language|Maltese]] ([[Semitic languages|Semitic]]) do not belong to Indo-European languages.<ref name="Many tongues, one family">{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/publications/booklets/move/45/en.pdf|title=Many tongues, one family. Languages in the European Union|year=2004|publisher=Europa web portal|format=PDF|author=European Commission|accessdate=3 February 2007|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070329125431/http://ec.europa.eu/publications/booklets/move/45/en.pdf|archivedate=29 March 2007}}</ref> The three official alphabets of the European Union ([[Cyrillic script|Cyrillic]], [[Latin alphabet|Latin]], and [[Greek alphabet|modern Greek]]), all derive from the [[Archaic Greek alphabets|Archaic Greek scripts]].<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{cite book|title=The Blackwell Encyclopedia of Writing Systems|last=Coulmas|first=Florian|publisher=Blackwell Publishers Ltd.|year=1996|isbn=0-631-21481-X|location=Oxford|ref=harv}}</ref>
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−
 
+
−
Besides the 24 official languages, there are about 150 [[regional language|regional]] and [[minority language]]s, spoken by up to 50&nbsp;million people.<ref name="Many tongues, one family"/> [[Catalan language|Catalan]], [[Galician language|Galician]], [[Basque language|Basque]], [[Scottish Gaelic]], and [[Welsh language|Welsh]] are not recognised official languages of the European Union but have semi-official status: official translations of the treaties are made into them and citizens have the right to correspond with the institutions in these languages.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BWK4BAAAQBAJ&pg=PA1&lpg=PA1&dq=Catalan,+Galician,+Basque,+Scottish+Gaelic+and+Welsh+european+union&source=bl&ots=HnRcUO9dSi&sig=Bug9Ou7apwKmy5ne6I8hM0wLpBY&hl=fr&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiKjqvDvt_UAhVLLMAKHe4VCjAQ6AEISjAE#v=onepage&q=Catalan,%20Galician,%20Basque,%20Scottish%20Gaelic%20and%20Welsh%20european%20union&f=false|title=Towards the Pragmatic Core of English for European Communication: The Speech Act of Apologising in Selected Euro-Englishes|last=Klimczak-Pawlak|first=Agata|date=3 May 2014|publisher=Springer Science & Business|isbn=9783319035574|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/languages-culture/news/meps-push-for-eu-recognition-of-catalan-welsh-languages/|title=MEPs push for EU recognition of Catalan, Welsh languages|website=EURACTIV.com|language=en-GB|access-date=28 June 2017}}</ref> The [[European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages]] ratified by most EU states provides general guidelines that states can follow to protect their linguistic heritage. The [[European Day of Languages]] is held annually on 26 September and is aimed at encouraging language learning across Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc.jsp?Ref=776/7.1&Sector=secCM&Language=lanEnglish&Ver=original&BackColorInternet=9999CC&BackColorIntranet=FFBB55&BackColorLogged=FFAC75%20|title=Committee of Ministers – European Year of Languages Parliamentary Assembly Recommendation 1539 (2001)|date=|publisher=Wcd.coe.int|accessdate=26 September 2012}}</ref>
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===Religion===
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{{Main|Religion in the European Union}}
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{| class="wikitable sortable floatright" style="font-size: 90%"
+
−
|+ style="font-size:100%" | Religious affiliation in the European Union (2015)<ref name="EB2015">{{citation|title=DISCRIMINATION IN THE EU IN 2015|work=[[Eurobarometer|Special Eurobarometer]] |year=2015 |series=437  |url=http://zacat.gesis.org/webview/index.jsp?v=2&previousmode=table&stubs=V294&weights=http%3A%2F%2F193.175.238.79%3A80%2Fobj%2FfVariable%2FZA6595_V499&V294subset=1+-+12&analysismode=table&study=http%3A%2F%2F193.175.238.79%3A80%2Fobj%2FfStudy%2FZA6595&V294slice=1&gs=7&mode=table&top=yes |accessdate=15 October 2017|publisher=[[European Commission]] |location=European Union|via=[[GESIS – Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences|GESIS]]}}</ref>
+
−
|-
+
−
! Affiliation
+
−
! colspan="2" | % of E.U. population
+
−
|-
+
−
| [[Christianity|Christian]]
+
−
|align=right| '''{{bartable|71.6||2||background:darkblue}}'''
+
−
|-
+
−
| style="text-indent:15px;"| [[Catholic]]
+
−
|align=right| '''{{bartable|45.3||2||background:lightblue}}'''
+
−
|-
+
−
| style="text-indent:15px;"| [[Protestant]]
+
−
|align=right| '''{{bartable|11.1||2||background:lightblue}}'''
+
−
|-
+
−
| style="text-indent:15px;"| [[Eastern Orthodox]]
+
−
|align=right| '''{{bartable|9.6||2||background:lightblue}}'''
+
−
|-
+
−
| style="text-indent:15px;"| Other Christian
+
−
|align=right| '''{{bartable|5.6||2||background:lightblue}}'''
+
−
|-
+
−
| [[Muslim]]
+
−
|align=right| '''{{bartable|1.8||2||background:green}}'''
+
−
|-
+
−
| Other faiths
+
−
|align=right| '''{{bartable|2.6||2||background:purple}}'''
+
−
|-
+
−
| [[Irreligion|Irreligious]]
+
−
|align=right| '''{{bartable|24||2||background:grey}}'''
+
−
|-
+
−
| style="text-indent:15px;"| Non-believer/[[Agnosticism|Agnostic]]
+
−
|align=right| '''{{bartable|13.6||2||background:lightgrey}}'''
+
−
|-
+
−
| style="text-indent:15px;"|[[Atheism|Atheist]]
+
−
|align=right| '''{{bartable|10.4||2||background:lightgrey}}'''
+
−
|-
+
−
|}
+
−
 
+
−
The EU has no formal connection to any religion. The Article 17 of the [[Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union]]<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Consolidated_version_of_the_Treaty_on_the_Functioning_of_the_European_Union/Part_One:_Principles#Article_17|title=Consolidated version of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union}}</ref> recognises the "status under national law of churches and religious associations" as well as that of "philosophical and non-confessional organisations".<ref name="Consolidated Treaties"/>
+
−
 
+
−
The preamble to the [[Maastricht Treaty|Treaty on European Union]] mentions the "cultural, religious and humanist inheritance of Europe".<ref name="Consolidated Treaties">[http://eur-lex.europa.eu/JOHtml.do?uri=OJ:C:2010:083:SOM:EN:HTML Consolidated version of the Treaty on European Union].</ref> Discussion over the draft texts of the European Constitution and later the [[Treaty of Lisbon]] included proposals to mention [[Christianity]] or [[God]], or both, in the preamble of the text, but the idea faced opposition and was dropped.<ref name="EUO Merkel God">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/europe/eu-celebrates-its-50th-birthday--with-a-row-about-religion-440976.html |title=EU celebrates 50th birthday-with a row about religion |work=The Independent |location=London |first=Stephen |last=Castle |date=21 March 2007 |accessdate=4 March 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080405065450/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/europe/eu-celebrates-its-50th-birthday--with-a-row-about-religion-440976.html |archivedate=5 April 2008 }}</ref>
+
−
 
+
−
Christians in the European Union are divided among members of Catholicism (both [[Latin Church|Roman]] and [[Eastern Catholic Churches|Eastern Rite]]), numerous [[Protestant]] denominations ([[Anglicans]], [[Lutherans]], and [[Reformed]] forming the bulk of this category), and the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]]. In 2009, the EU had an estimated [[List of countries by Muslim population|Muslim population]] of 13&nbsp;million,<ref name="mgmpPRC">{{cite web|title=Muslim Population |publisher=europa web portal |url=http://www.fra.europa.eu/fraWebsite/attachments/Manifestations_EN.pdf|accessdate=1 November 2010}}</ref> and an estimated [[Jewish population]] of over a million.<ref>Jewish population figures may be unreliable. {{cite web|url=http://www.jafi.org.il/education/100/concepts/demography/demjpop.html |title=World Jewish Population (2002) |accessdate=3 May 2007 |author=Sergio DellaPergola |work=American Jewish Year Book |publisher=The Jewish Agency for Israel |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20041222130930/http://www.jafi.org.il/education/100/concepts/demography/demjpop.html |archivedate=22 December 2004 }}</ref> The other world religions of [[Buddhism]], [[Hinduism]], and [[Sikhism]] are also represented in the EU population.
+
−
 
+
−
According to new polls about religiosity in the European Union in 2015 by [[Eurobarometer]], [[Christianity]] is the largest religion in the European Union, accounting for 71.6% of the EU population. [[Catholics]] are the largest [[Christian]] group, accounting for 45.3% of the EU population, while [[Protestant]]s make up 11.1%, [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]] make up 9.6%, and other Christians make up 5.6%.<ref name="EB2015"/>
+
−
 
+
−
[[Eurostat]]'s [[Eurobarometer]] opinion polls showed in 2005 that 52% of EU citizens believed in a God, 27% in "some sort of spirit or life force", and 18% had no form of belief.<ref name="Eurostat Religion">{{Cite journal|work=Special [[Eurobarometer]] 225 |title=Social values, Science and Technology |publisher=Europa, web portal |author=Eurostat |author-link=Eurostat |year=2005 |url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_225_report_en.pdf |page=9 |accessdate=11 June 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060524004644/http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_225_report_en.pdf |archivedate=24 May 2006 |df=dmy }}</ref> Many countries have experienced falling church attendance and membership in recent years.<ref name="About SecE">{{cite news|work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2005-02-21-god-europe_x.htm|title=What place for God in Europe|accessdate=24 July 2009|date=22 February 2005|first=Peter|last=Ford}}</ref> The countries where the fewest people reported a religious belief were Estonia (16%) and the Czech Republic (19%).<ref name="Eurostat Religion"/> The most religious countries were Malta (95%, predominantly Roman Catholic) as well as Cyprus and Romania (both predominantly Orthodox) each with about 90% of citizens professing a belief in God. Across the EU, belief was higher among women, older people, those with religious upbringing, those who left school at 15 or 16, and those "positioning themselves on the right of the political scale".<ref name="Eurostat Religion"/>
+
−
 
+
−
===Education and science===
+
−
{{Main|Educational policies and initiatives of the European Union|Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development}}
+
−
[[File:Erasmus logo.svg|thumb|upright|[[Erasmus Programme]] logo, representing the European student exchange]]
+
−
 
+
−
Basic education is an area where the EU's role is limited to supporting national governments. In higher education, the policy was developed in the 1980s in programmes supporting exchanges and mobility. The most visible of these has been the [[Erasmus Programme]], a university exchange programme which began in 1987. In its first 20&nbsp;years, it has supported international exchange opportunities for well over 1.5&nbsp;million university and college students and has become a symbol of European student life.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/education/news/erasmus20_en.html|title=The Erasmus programme celebrates its 20th anniversary|publisher=Europa web portal|author=European Commission|accessdate=21 July 2007|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070703000422/http://ec.europa.eu/education/news/erasmus20_en.html|archivedate=3 July 2007}}; {{cite web|url=http://www.cafebabel.co.uk/article/19702/erasmus-turns-20-time-to-grow-up.html|title=Erasmus turns 20 – time to grow up?|last=Jean-Sébastien|first=Lefebvre|date=22 January 2007|publisher=Café Babel|accessdate=10 August 2007}}</ref>
+
−
 
+
−
There are now similar programmes for school pupils and teachers, for trainees in [[vocational education|vocational education and training]], and for adult learners in the [[Lifelong Learning Programme 2007–2013]]. These programmes are designed to encourage a wider knowledge of other countries and to spread good practices in the education and training fields across the EU.<ref>{{cite web|author=EACEA|title=About the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency|publisher=Europa web portal|url=http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/index.htm|accessdate=21 July 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Lifelong Learning Programme|publisher=Europa web portal|author=European Commission|url=http://ec.europa.eu/education/programmes/llp/national_en.html|accessdate=21 July 2007}}</ref> Through its support of the [[Bologna Process]], the EU is supporting comparable standards and compatible degrees across Europe.
+
−
 
+
−
Scientific development is facilitated through the EU's [[Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development|Framework Programmes]], the first of which started in 1984. The aims of EU policy in this area are to co-ordinate and stimulate research. The independent [[European Research Council]] allocates EU funds to European or national research projects.<ref>{{cite web|title=What is the ERC?|publisher=Europa web portal|author=European Research Council|url=http://erc.europa.eu/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.display&topicID=12|accessdate=21 July 2007}}</ref> EU [[Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development|research and technological framework programmes]] deal in a number of areas, for example energy where the aim is to develop a diverse mix of [[renewable energy]] to help the environment and to reduce dependence on imported fuels.<ref>{{cite web|title=Energy|publisher=Europa web portal|author=European Commission|url=http://ec.europa.eu/research/fp7/index_en.cfm?pg=energy|accessdate=12 November 2007}}</ref>
+
−
 
+
−
===Health care===
+
−
{{further|Healthcare in Europe}}
+
−
[[File:Carte Européenne d'Assurance Maladie France.jpg|thumb|left|[[European Health Insurance Card]]<br>(French version pictured)]]
+
−
 
+
−
Although the EU has no major competences in the field of health care, Article 35 of the [[Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union]] affirms that "A high level of human health protection shall be ensured in the definition and implementation of all Union policies and activities". The [[European Commission]]'s [[Directorate-General for Health and Consumers (European Commission)|Directorate-General for Health and Consumers]] seeks to align national laws on the protection of people's health, on the consumers' rights, on the safety of food and other products.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/health_consumer/about_us/our_vision_en.htm |title=Europa web portal |work=Europa (web portal) |accessdate=26 November 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101112200650/http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/health_consumer/about_us/our_vision_en.htm |archivedate=12 November 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/health_consumer/index_en.htm |title=Europa web portal |work=Europa (web portal) |accessdate=26 November 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101111154145/http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/health_consumer/index_en.htm |archivedate=11 November 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/health-eu/index_en.htm |title=Europa web portal |work=Europa (web portal) |date=18 November 2010 |accessdate=26 November 2010}}</ref>
+
−
 
+
−
All EU and many other European countries offer their citizens a free [[European Health Insurance Card]] which, on a reciprocal basis, provides insurance for emergency medical treatment insurance when visiting other participating European countries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhs.uk/nhsengland/Healthcareabroad/pages/Healthcareabroad.aspx |title=info about health care and EHIC |publisher=Nhs.uk |date=29 April 2010 |accessdate=26 November 2010}}</ref> A directive on cross-border healthcare aims at promoting co-operation on health care between member states and facilitating access to safe and high-quality cross-border healthcare for European patients.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/lsa/119514.pdf |title=Consilium.europa.eu |format=PDF |accessdate=3 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2011:088:0045:0065:EN:PDF |title=Eur-lex.europa.eu |accessdate=3 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhsconfed.org/Publications/Factsheets/Pages/Cross-border-healthcare-commissioners.aspx |title=NHSconfed.org |publisher=NHSconfed.org |date=17 May 2011 |accessdate=3 June 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728184655/http://www.nhsconfed.org/Publications/Factsheets/Pages/Cross-border-healthcare-commissioners.aspx |archivedate=28 July 2013 }}</ref>
+
  
 
==Politics==
 
==Politics==
−
{{main|Politics of the European Union}}
 
  
−
The European Union operates according to the principles of [[Principle of conferral|conferral]] (which says that it should act only within the limits of the competences conferred on it by the [[Treaties of the European Union|treaties]]) and of [[Subsidiarity#European Union law|subsidiarity]] (which says that it should act only where an objective cannot be sufficiently achieved by the member states acting alone). [[European Union law|Laws made by the EU institutions]] are passed in a variety of forms.<ref>According to P.C. Schmitter, ''‘Comparative Politics: Its Past, Present and Future’'' (2016), 1 Chinese Political Science Review, 397, at 410, "European Union is the most complex polity in the world".</ref> Generally speaking, they can be classified into two groups: those which come into force without the necessity for national implementation measures (regulations) and those which specifically require national implementation measures (directives).<ref>These legislative instruments are dealt with in more detail [[#Acts|below]].</ref>
 
  
 
===Member states===
 
===Member states===
−
{{Main|Member state of the European Union}}
 
  
−
Through successive [[Enlargement of the European Union|enlargements]], the European Union has grown from the [[Inner Six|six founding states]] (Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands) to the current {{EUnum}}. Countries accede to the union by becoming party to the founding [[Treaties of the European Union|treaties]], thereby subjecting themselves to the privileges and obligations of EU membership. This entails a partial delegation of sovereignty to the institutions in return for representation within those institutions, a practice often referred to as "pooling of sovereignty".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.answers.com/topic/pooled-sovereignty|title=Answers {{ndash}} The Most Trusted Place for Answering Life's Questions|work=Answers.com|accessdate=12 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=EU institutions and other bodies |url=http://europa.eu/institutions/index_en.htm |publisher=Europa |accessdate=4 September 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090601191547/http://europa.eu/institutions/index_en.htm |archivedate=1 June 2009 |df= }}</ref>
+
===Auroran Parliament===
  
−
To become a member, a country must meet the [[Copenhagen criteria]], defined at the 1993 meeting of the European Council in Copenhagen. These require a stable democracy that respects human rights and the [[rule of law]]; a functioning [[market economy]]; and the acceptance of the obligations of membership, including EU law. Evaluation of a country's fulfilment of the criteria is the responsibility of the European Council.<ref name="Accession Criteria">{{cite web|title=Accession criteria (Copenhagen criteria) |publisher=Europa web portal |url=http://europa.eu/scadplus/glossary/accession_criteria_copenhague_en.htm |accessdate=26 June 2007 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070705172736/http://europa.eu/scadplus/glossary/accession_criteria_copenhague_en.htm |archivedate=5 July 2007 }}</ref> No member state has yet left the Union, although [[Greenland]] (an [[autonomous area|autonomous province]] of Denmark) withdrew in 1985.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Greenland Treaty of 1985 |work=The European Union and Greenland |publisher=Greenland Home Rule Government |url=http://eu.nanoq.gl/Emner/EuGl/The%20Greenland%20Treaty.aspx |accessdate=10 November 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110503185125/http://eu.nanoq.gl/Emner/EuGl/The%20Greenland%20Treaty.aspx |archivedate=3 May 2011 }}</ref> The [[Treaty of Lisbon|Lisbon Treaty]] now contains a clause under [[Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union|Article 50]], providing for a member to [[Withdrawal from the European Union|leave the EU]].<ref>Article 50 of the Consolidated Treaty on European Union.</ref>
+
The Auroran Parliament forms the lower branch of the legislature of the Auroran continent. Although it lacks legislative initiative, has the power to debate and vote upon legislative proposals from the Commission. The Auroran Parliament is comprised of approximately 700 seats. It is elected by proportional representation, but seats are assured for all nations irrespective of size.  
  
−
There are six countries that are recognised as [[Future enlargement of the European Union|candidates for membership]]: [[Accession of Albania to the European Union|Albania]], [[Accession of Iceland to the European Union|Iceland]], [[Accession of Macedonia to the European Union|Macedonia]],<ref group="lower-alpha">Referred to by the EU as the "former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia".</ref> [[Accession of Montenegro to the European Union|Montenegro]], [[Accession of Serbia to the European Union|Serbia]], and [[Accession of Turkey to the European Union|Turkey]],<ref name="Europa Enlargement"/> though Iceland suspended negotiations in 2013.<ref name="icelandover">{{cite web |url=http://euobserver.com/political/120501 |title=Iceland's EU bid is over, commission told |last=Fox |first=Benjamin |publisher=Reuters |date=16 June 2013 |accessdate=16 June 2013}}</ref> [[Accession of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the European Union|Bosnia and Herzegovina]] and [[Accession of Kosovo to the European Union|Kosovo]] are officially recognised as potential candidates,<ref name="Europa Enlargement">{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/countries/index_en.htm |title=European Commission – Enlargement – Candidate and Potential Candidate Countries |publisher=Europa web portal |accessdate=13 March 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120408221338/http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/countries/index_en.htm |archivedate=8 April 2012 |df= }}</ref> with Bosnia and Herzegovina having submitted a membership application.
+
===Auroran Commission===
  
−
The four countries forming the [[European Free Trade Association]] (EFTA) are not EU members, but have partly committed to the EU's economy and regulations: Iceland, [[Liechtenstein]] and [[Norway]], which are a part of the [[single market]] through the [[European Economic Area]], and [[Switzerland]], which has similar ties through [[Switzerland–European Union relations|bilateral treaties]].<ref name="EEA"/><ref name="CH">{{cite web|title=The EU's relations with Switzerland |publisher=Europa web portal|url=http://eeas.europa.eu/switzerland/index_en.htm |accessdate=3 November 2010}}</ref> The relationships of the [[Microstates and the European Union|European microstates]], [[Andorra]], [[Monaco]], [[San Marino]], and the [[Vatican City|Vatican]] include the use of the euro and other areas of co-operation.<ref name="euro use world">{{cite web |url= http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/euro/world/outside_euro_area/index_en.htm |title=Use of the euro in the world|publisher=Europa web portal|author=European Commission|work=The euro outside the euro area|accessdate=27 February 2008}}</ref> The following {{EUnum}} [[sovereign state]]s (of which the map only shows territories situated in and around Europe) constitute the European Union:<ref>{{cite web|title=European Countries|url=http://europa.eu/abc/european_countries/index_en.htm |publisher=Europa web portal|accessdate=18 September 2010}}</ref>
+
The Auroran Commission has the power to develop policy and administer laws and treaties. Representation is assured for each member state. Some, if not all members, are allocated portfolios by which they oversee policy, hold agencies to account and bear a portion of the workload. The Commission has the power to propose legislation to the Parliament and Council.
  
−
{{EU2019switch|<imagemap>File:Member States of the European Union (polar stereographic projection) EN.svg|650px|center|Map showing the member states of the European Union (clickable)
+
===Council of the UNAC===
−
poly 261 28 273 39 279 59 284 61 286 66 271 97 275 105 275 116 284 122 308 111 320 83 308 75 310 71 302 60 305 54 297 46 298 36 290 32 291 16 282 16 277 22 280 28 275 33 270 32 264 26 [[Finland]]
+
−
poly 260 29 259 38 252 37 252 42 248 41 244 54 238 64 238 72 235 77 237 83 226 83 223 100 227 106 230 111 227 115 229 121 223 127 220 141 229 160 227 163 231 173 238 171 238 168 242 164 250 164 254 135 261 130 262 117 252 115 257 93 270 83 271 66 279 59 273 39 [[Sweden]]
+
−
poly 312 142 307 131 311 123 294 123 279 132 280 142 290 137 295 138 304 141 [[Estonia]]
+
−
poly 310 164 319 155 318 148 313 142 295 140 298 153 288 149 282 142 277 161 295 158 [[Latvia]]
+
−
poly 288 180 295 184 301 184 309 178 307 170 312 168 308 162 294 157 279 161 279 174 289 174 [[Lithuania]]
+
−
poly 300 198 294 182 290 180 270 183 265 184 264 179 250 182 248 186 238 190 238 197 234 199 239 203 241 223 249 225 251 229 255 226 261 230 265 232 268 235 270 237 273 235 276 240 281 237 283 237 289 236 296 242 297 239 297 234 301 223 305 222 304 217 301 214 296 201 [[Poland]]
+
−
poly 254 250 257 245 261 244 269 236 272 235 276 240 279 238 289 235 297 243 274 250 269 253 269 257 259 254 [[Slovakia]]
+
−
poly 299 251 291 245 270 252 269 257 258 252 249 268 254 271 260 279 268 278 275 274 290 272 294 258 [[Hungary]]
+
−
poly 355 291 354 280 361 274 355 269 349 272 346 270 343 259 332 248 330 243 328 242 324 247 314 250 312 248 301 250 294 255 292 265 288 271 282 274 288 281 293 284 293 288 296 290 302 287 301 291 308 294 308 297 317 297 322 297 329 295 339 287 347 288 [[Romania]]
+
−
poly 309 327 312 322 309 318 305 316 305 310 308 305 302 298 304 294 309 295 310 298 328 297 340 287 354 291 350 297 352 301 348 304 355 309 348 314 347 311 340 316 339 317 339 321 329 324 323 321 316 325 [[Bulgaria]]
+
−
poly 308 383 305 376 306 374 293 368 294 359 289 351 289 344 294 339 295 333 301 332 304 328 310 326 317 326 322 322 329 325 340 321 340 316 342 319 340 328 328 329 320 331 325 335 339 340 336 342 348 344 350 348 347 358 344 353 348 352 349 348 343 347 345 344 334 341 335 338 328 335 317 341 313 337 311 342 320 350 332 359 339 365 358 359 340 377 331 380 335 376 337 378 342 373 340 370 345 372 353 362 337 366 328 363 327 367 320 367 326 372 319 374 320 382 334 393 355 393 372 372 372 378 368 383 368 377 364 384 365 390 361 387 355 396 340 400 339 395 329 397 329 393 332 392 320 380 314 384 311 378 [[Greece]]
+
−
poly 419 384 415 381 421 378 421 373 428 371 435 365 430 374 434 376 424 383 [[Cyprus]]
+
−
poly 236 248 224 238 221 231 225 227 236 221 240 220 249 225 254 226 260 231 266 230 267 236 261 243 249 245 244 243 [[Czech Republic]]
+
−
poly 198 263 201 257 204 260 207 258 213 260 224 255 233 248 238 248 241 244 245 244 248 246 255 246 253 250 256 254 250 265 249 268 238 272 229 271 220 268 218 263 210 264 208 266 [[Austria]]
+
−
poly 249 267 253 273 242 279 244 284 236 282 230 281 227 277 229 271 238 272 [[Slovenia]]
+
−
poly 179 298 180 293 174 292 176 287 173 283 178 282 178 278 176 275 181 274 185 273 189 269 189 273 195 273 197 269 199 272 204 269 207 267 210 265 218 263 220 269 230 271 226 281 219 283 222 289 219 290 220 297 231 304 236 319 247 323 253 325 250 327 274 341 273 349 269 341 260 341 257 348 262 355 261 358 257 360 257 364 251 371 248 369 244 377 244 378 244 386 237 386 237 383 230 381 222 375 219 376 219 370 226 368 238 370 245 367 250 365 253 358 248 346 246 347 241 342 241 341 237 340 234 336 230 332 224 331 184 357 181 355 183 343 182 333 185 333 190 329 193 330 196 339 194 340 193 352 224 331 211 317 209 317 203 309 204 308 202 298 190 292 184 297 [[Italy]]
+
−
rect 224 394 251 405 [[Malta]]
+
−
poly 14 333 21 334 24 337 27 339 29 333 36 329 33 325 40 319 39 311 43 312 49 298 57 295 54 292 55 289 43 284 42 281 39 280 36 291 36 292 19 313 24 314 20 317 23 318 19 324 19 327 [[Portugal]]
+
−
poly 41 358 38 355 35 355 37 345 32 338 28 338 29 333 37 329 33 326 39 319 39 311 42 312 49 300 56 295 55 292 54 290 43 283 39 280 42 270 39 269 45 266 50 268 51 264 58 266 69 274 71 272 80 279 89 280 95 283 99 287 102 287 114 299 119 301 120 298 124 301 124 304 127 305 135 308 140 309 140 314 145 339 140 337 133 343 126 339 116 349 113 342 120 345 128 337 132 335 136 338 143 335 139 312 136 316 131 317 128 317 114 320 116 322 104 331 100 338 106 345 98 346 92 353 92 356 85 354 76 361 73 357 71 361 66 357 53 354 53 357 46 355 [[Spain]]
+
−
poly 100 286 111 297 118 300 119 298 126 302 128 302 128 305 139 307 140 301 144 298 152 296 155 300 157 298 165 304 169 305 189 328 195 318 195 306 192 312 188 311 187 327 170 305 178 298 180 294 173 292 176 288 174 284 179 281 176 276 179 272 175 266 170 267 175 262 180 258 178 255 182 256 186 244 190 240 178 234 173 232 169 227 169 225 165 225 162 220 157 216 155 212 151 212 147 218 142 222 137 221 137 224 133 223 125 220 121 218 124 225 121 230 113 227 111 223 107 224 101 223 97 223 97 232 109 241 111 251 115 258 107 284 [[France]]
+
−
poly 202 178 209 178 211 181 218 182 216 185 218 187 231 181 235 184 231 187 238 189 238 197 235 201 238 203 240 222 236 220 234 224 223 228 221 230 224 238 232 247 224 255 217 258 211 259 207 257 203 261 199 256 189 255 183 256 185 244 190 241 181 235 178 224 181 214 180 207 185 201 190 195 192 187 197 187 199 189 202 186 [[Germany]]
+
−
poly 177 225 174 229 172 235 180 237 180 229 [[Luxembourg]]
+
−
poly 155 210 157 220 166 225 175 232 173 226 178 225 177 215 171 210 164 212 160 209 [[Belgium]]
+
−
poly 191 188 178 189 162 209 167 209 171 207 170 210 179 215 180 207 188 204 184 200 188 198 [[Netherlands]]
+
−
poly 201 177 209 177 222 181 228 176 227 159 219 170 221 177 216 175 214 163 218 158 215 143 202 157 [[Denmark]]
+
−
poly 96 205 102 206 108 204 111 207 114 204 120 205 123 208 134 209 137 208 141 210 150 205 146 204 154 197 156 191 151 188 145 188 149 183 142 163 142 156 139 149 134 147 141 145 149 132 136 130 144 123 157 113 163 103 157 107 158 113 147 121 143 117 140 119 133 119 124 130 123 124 128 118 122 118 115 129 123 124 121 132 115 149 105 146 105 149 100 156 103 157 109 164 118 160 113 150 118 145 119 152 124 150 119 156 124 159 132 158 128 164 127 173 118 173 114 181 119 179 117 183 113 187 107 187 108 190 113 192 118 196 123 197 118 198 113 197 109 199 [[United Kingdom]]
+
−
poly 102 181 92 179 82 181 79 179 75 173 78 168 89 162 84 159 89 151 98 154 100 153 97 150 104 146 109 147 100 156 108 166 106 174 103 177 [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]
+
−
desc bottom-left
+
−
</imagemap>|<imagemap>File:Member States of the European Union 2019 (polar stereographic projection) EN.svg|650px|center|Map showing the member states of the European Union (clickable)
+
−
poly 261 28 273 39 279 59 284 61 286 66 271 97 275 105 275 116 284 122 308 111 320 83 308 75 310 71 302 60 305 54 297 46 298 36 290 32 291 16 282 16 277 22 280 28 275 33 270 32 264 26 [[Finland]]
+
−
poly 260 29 259 38 252 37 252 42 248 41 244 54 238 64 238 72 235 77 237 83 226 83 223 100 227 106 230 111 227 115 229 121 223 127 220 141 229 160 227 163 231 173 238 171 238 168 242 164 250 164 254 135 261 130 262 117 252 115 257 93 270 83 271 66 279 59 273 39 [[Sweden]]
+
−
poly 312 142 307 131 311 123 294 123 279 132 280 142 290 137 295 138 304 141 [[Estonia]]
+
−
poly 310 164 319 155 318 148 313 142 295 140 298 153 288 149 282 142 277 161 295 158 [[Latvia]]
+
−
poly 288 180 295 184 301 184 309 178 307 170 312 168 308 162 294 157 279 161 279 174 289 174 [[Lithuania]]
+
−
poly 300 198 294 182 290 180 270 183 265 184 264 179 250 182 248 186 238 190 238 197 234 199 239 203 241 223 249 225 251 229 255 226 261 230 265 232 268 235 270 237 273 235 276 240 281 237 283 237 289 236 296 242 297 239 297 234 301 223 305 222 304 217 301 214 296 201 [[Poland]]
+
−
poly 254 250 257 245 261 244 269 236 272 235 276 240 279 238 289 235 297 243 274 250 269 253 269 257 259 254 [[Slovakia]]
+
−
poly 299 251 291 245 270 252 269 257 258 252 249 268 254 271 260 279 268 278 275 274 290 272 294 258 [[Hungary]]
+
−
poly 355 291 354 280 361 274 355 269 349 272 346 270 343 259 332 248 330 243 328 242 324 247 314 250 312 248 301 250 294 255 292 265 288 271 282 274 288 281 293 284 293 288 296 290 302 287 301 291 308 294 308 297 317 297 322 297 329 295 339 287 347 288 [[Romania]]
+
−
poly 309 327 312 322 309 318 305 316 305 310 308 305 302 298 304 294 309 295 310 298 328 297 340 287 354 291 350 297 352 301 348 304 355 309 348 314 347 311 340 316 339 317 339 321 329 324 323 321 316 325 [[Bulgaria]]
+
−
poly 308 383 305 376 306 374 293 368 294 359 289 351 289 344 294 339 295 333 301 332 304 328 310 326 317 326 322 322 329 325 340 321 340 316 342 319 340 328 328 329 320 331 325 335 339 340 336 342 348 344 350 348 347 358 344 353 348 352 349 348 343 347 345 344 334 341 335 338 328 335 317 341 313 337 311 342 320 350 332 359 339 365 358 359 340 377 331 380 335 376 337 378 342 373 340 370 345 372 353 362 337 366 328 363 327 367 320 367 326 372 319 374 320 382 334 393 355 393 372 372 372 378 368 383 368 377 364 384 365 390 361 387 355 396 340 400 339 395 329 397 329 393 332 392 320 380 314 384 311 378 [[Greece]]
+
−
poly 419 384 415 381 421 378 421 373 428 371 435 365 430 374 434 376 424 383 [[Cyprus]]
+
−
poly 236 248 224 238 221 231 225 227 236 221 240 220 249 225 254 226 260 231 266 230 267 236 261 243 249 245 244 243 [[Czech Republic]]
+
−
poly 198 263 201 257 204 260 207 258 213 260 224 255 233 248 238 248 241 244 245 244 248 246 255 246 253 250 256 254 250 265 249 268 238 272 229 271 220 268 218 263 210 264 208 266 [[Austria]]
+
−
poly 249 267 253 273 242 279 244 284 236 282 230 281 227 277 229 271 238 272 [[Slovenia]]
+
−
poly 179 298 180 293 174 292 176 287 173 283 178 282 178 278 176 275 181 274 185 273 189 269 189 273 195 273 197 269 199 272 204 269 207 267 210 265 218 263 220 269 230 271 226 281 219 283 222 289 219 290 220 297 231 304 236 319 247 323 253 325 250 327 274 341 273 349 269 341 260 341 257 348 262 355 261 358 257 360 257 364 251 371 248 369 244 377 244 378 244 386 237 386 237 383 230 381 222 375 219 376 219 370 226 368 238 370 245 367 250 365 253 358 248 346 246 347 241 342 241 341 237 340 234 336 230 332 224 331 184 357 181 355 183 343 182 333 185 333 190 329 193 330 196 339 194 340 193 352 224 331 211 317 209 317 203 309 204 308 202 298 190 292 184 297 [[Italy]]
+
−
rect 224 394 251 405 [[Malta]]
+
−
poly 14 333 21 334 24 337 27 339 29 333 36 329 33 325 40 319 39 311 43 312 49 298 57 295 54 292 55 289 43 284 42 281 39 280 36 291 36 292 19 313 24 314 20 317 23 318 19 324 19 327 [[Portugal]]
+
−
poly 41 358 38 355 35 355 37 345 32 338 28 338 29 333 37 329 33 326 39 319 39 311 42 312 49 300 56 295 55 292 54 290 43 283 39 280 42 270 39 269 45 266 50 268 51 264 58 266 69 274 71 272 80 279 89 280 95 283 99 287 102 287 114 299 119 301 120 298 124 301 124 304 127 305 135 308 140 309 140 314 145 339 140 337 133 343 126 339 116 349 113 342 120 345 128 337 132 335 136 338 143 335 139 312 136 316 131 317 128 317 114 320 116 322 104 331 100 338 106 345 98 346 92 353 92 356 85 354 76 361 73 357 71 361 66 357 53 354 53 357 46 355 [[Spain]]
+
−
poly 100 286 111 297 118 300 119 298 126 302 128 302 128 305 139 307 140 301 144 298 152 296 155 300 157 298 165 304 169 305 189 328 195 318 195 306 192 312 188 311 187 327 170 305 178 298 180 294 173 292 176 288 174 284 179 281 176 276 179 272 175 266 170 267 175 262 180 258 178 255 182 256 186 244 190 240 178 234 173 232 169 227 169 225 165 225 162 220 157 216 155 212 151 212 147 218 142 222 137 221 137 224 133 223 125 220 121 218 124 225 121 230 113 227 111 223 107 224 101 223 97 223 97 232 109 241 111 251 115 258 107 284 [[France]]
+
−
poly 202 178 209 178 211 181 218 182 216 185 218 187 231 181 235 184 231 187 238 189 238 197 235 201 238 203 240 222 236 220 234 224 223 228 221 230 224 238 232 247 224 255 217 258 211 259 207 257 203 261 199 256 189 255 183 256 185 244 190 241 181 235 178 224 181 214 180 207 185 201 190 195 192 187 197 187 199 189 202 186 [[Germany]]
+
−
poly 177 225 174 229 172 235 180 237 180 229 [[Luxembourg]]
+
−
poly 155 210 157 220 166 225 175 232 173 226 178 225 177 215 171 210 164 212 160 209 [[Belgium]]
+
−
poly 191 188 178 189 162 209 167 209 171 207 170 210 179 215 180 207 188 204 184 200 188 198 [[Netherlands]]
+
−
poly 201 177 209 177 222 181 228 176 227 159 219 170 221 177 216 175 214 163 218 158 215 143 202 157 [[Denmark]]
+
−
poly 102 181 92 179 82 181 79 179 75 173 78 168 89 162 84 159 89 151 98 154 100 153 97 150 104 146 109 147 100 156 108 166 106 174 103 177 [[Ireland]]
+
−
desc bottom-left
+
−
</imagemap>}}
+
  
−
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="float:center; white-space:nowrap"
+
The Council of the UNAC is made up of representatives from each member state. Such representatives may be leaders or ambassadors depending on the system that the state has adopted to elect its representatives. The Council has the power to veto the vote of the Auroran Parliament by a two thirds majority. The Council has some powers to give instruction to the Auroran Commission. It has exclusive decision-making power over certain topics. It has reserve powers that are exercised during an emergency such as the dissolution of the Auroran Parliament.
−
|-
+
−
! style="width:30px" |[[Coats of arms of Europe|Arms]]
+
−
! style="width:30px" |[[Flags of Europe|Flag]]
+
−
! style="width:30px" |[[Member state of the European Union|State]]
+
−
! style="width:6em" | Capital
+
−
! style="width:2em" | [[ISO_3166-1_alpha-2|Code]]
+
−
! style="width:5em" | [[Enlargement of the European Union|Accession]]
+
−
! style="width:5em" | Population<br/>(2017)<ref name="population" />
+
−
! style="width:5em" | Area (km<sup>2</sup>)
+
−
! [[List of countries by population density|Pop. density]]<br/>(per km²)
+
−
![[Member of the European Parliament|MEPs]]
+
−
|-
+
−
| style="text-align:center" | {{Coat of arms|Austria|size=30px|text=none|link=Coat of arms of Austria}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | {{flagg|pxx|Austria|size=40px}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Austria]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Vienna]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | AT
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | <span style="display:none">19950101</span>{{dts|1 January 1995}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|8772865}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|83855}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{formatnum:{{#expr:(8772865/83855) round 2}}}}
+
−
|18
+
−
|-
+
−
| style="text-align:center" | {{Coat of arms|Belgium|size=30px|text=none|link=Coat of arms of Belgium}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | {{flagg|pxx|Belgium|size=40px}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Belgium]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Brussels]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | BE
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | <span style="display:none">19570325</span>Founder
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|11351727}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|30528}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{formatnum:{{#expr:(11351727/30528) round 2}}}}
+
−
|21
+
−
|-
+
−
| style="text-align:center" | {{Coat of arms|Bulgaria|size=30px|text=none|link=Coat of arms of Bulgaria}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | {{flagg|pxx|Bulgaria|size=40px}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Bulgaria]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Sofia]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | BG
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | <span style="display:none">20070101</span>{{dts|1 January 2007}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|7101859}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|110994}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{formatnum:{{#expr:(7101859/110994) round 2}}}}
+
−
|17
+
−
|-
+
−
| style="text-align:center" | {{Coat of arms|Croatia|size=30px|text=none|link=Coat of arms of Croatia}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | {{flagg|pxx|Croatia|size=40px}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Croatia]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Zagreb]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | HR
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | <span style="display:none">20130701</span>{{dts|1 July 2013}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|4154213}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|56594}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{formatnum:{{#expr:(4154213/56594) round 2}}}}
+
−
|11
+
−
|-
+
−
| style="text-align:center" | {{Coat of arms|Cyprus|size=30px|text=none|link=Coat of arms of Cyprus}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | {{flagg|pxx|Cyprus|size=40px}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Cyprus]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Nicosia]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | CY
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | <span style="display:none">20040501</span>{{dts|1 May 2004}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|854802}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|9251}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{formatnum:{{#expr:(854802/9251) round 2}}}}
+
−
|6
+
−
|-
+
−
| style="text-align:center" | {{Coat of arms|Czech Republic|size=30px|text=none|link=Coat of arms of the Czech Republic}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | {{flagg|pxx|Czech Republic|size=40px}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Czech Republic]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Prague]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | CZ
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | <span style="display:none">20040501</span>{{dts|1 May 2004}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|10578820}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|78866}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{formatnum:{{#expr:(10578820/78866) round 2}}}}
+
−
|21
+
−
|-
+
−
| style="text-align:center" | {{Coat of arms|Denmark|size=30px|text=none|link=Coat of arms of Denmark}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | {{flagg|pxx|Denmark|size=40px}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Denmark]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Copenhagen]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | DK
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | <span style="display:none">19730101</span>{{dts|1 January 1973}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|5748769}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|43075}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{formatnum:{{#expr:(5748769/43075) round 2}}}}
+
−
|13
+
−
|-
+
−
| style="text-align:center" | {{Coat of arms|Estonia|size=30px|text=none|link=Coat of arms of Estonia}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | {{flagg|pxx|Estonia|size=40px}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Estonia]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Tallinn]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | EE
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | <span style="display:none">20040501</span>{{dts|1 May 2004}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|1315635}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|45227}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{formatnum:{{#expr:(1315635/45227) round 2}}}}
+
−
|6
+
−
|-
+
−
| style="text-align:center" | {{Coat of arms|Finland|size=30px|text=none|link=Coat of arms of Finland}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | {{flagg|pxx|Finland|size=40px}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Finland]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Helsinki]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | FI
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | <span style="display:none">19950101</span>{{dts|1 January 1995}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|5503297}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|338424}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{formatnum:{{#expr:(5503297/338424) round 2}}}}
+
−
|13
+
−
|-
+
−
| style="text-align:center" | {{Coat of arms|France|size=30px|text=none|link=Coat of arms of France}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | {{flagg|pxx|France|size=40px}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[France]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Paris]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | FR
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | <span style="display:none">19570325</span>Founder
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|66989083}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|640679}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{formatnum:{{#expr:(66989083/640679) round 2}}}}
+
−
|74
+
−
|-
+
−
| style="text-align:center" | {{Coat of arms|Germany|size=30px|text=none|link=Coat of arms of Germany}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | {{flagg|pxx|Germany|size=40px}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Germany]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Berlin]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | DE
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | <span style="display:none">19570325</span>Founder<ref group="lower-alpha">On {{dts|format=dmy|1990|10|3}}, the constituent states of the former [[East Germany|German Democratic Republic]] [[German reunification|acceded]] to the [[West Germany|Federal Republic of Germany]], automatically becoming part of the EU.</ref>
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|82521653}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|357021}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{formatnum:{{#expr:(82521653/357021) round 2}}}}
+
−
|96
+
−
|-
+
−
| style="text-align:center" | {{Coat of arms|Greece|size=30px|text=none|link=Coat of arms of Greece}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | {{flagg|pxx|Greece|size=40px}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Greece]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Athens]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | GR
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | <span style="display:none">19810101</span>{{dts|1 January 1981}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|10768193}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|131990}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{formatnum:{{#expr:(10768193/131990) round 2}}}}
+
−
|21
+
−
|-
+
−
| style="text-align:center" | {{Coat of arms|Hungary|size=30px|text=none|link=Coat of arms of Hungary}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | {{flagg|pxx|Hungary|size=40px}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Hungary]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Budapest]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | HU
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | <span style="display:none">20040101</span>{{dts|1 May 2004}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|9797561}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|93030}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{formatnum:{{#expr:(9797561/93030) round 2}}}}
+
−
|21
+
−
|-
+
−
| style="text-align:center" | {{Coat of arms|Ireland|size=30px|text=none|link=Coat of arms of Ireland}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | {{flagg|pxx|Ireland|size=40px}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Dublin]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | IE
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | <span style="display:none">19730101</span>{{dts|1 January 1973}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|4784383}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|70273}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{formatnum:{{#expr:(4784383/70273) round 2}}}}
+
−
|11
+
−
|-
+
−
| style="text-align:center" | {{Coat of arms|Italy|size=30px|text=none|link=Coat of arms of Italy}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | {{flagg|pxx|Italy|size=40px}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Italy]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Rome]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | IT
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | <span style="display:none">19570325</span>Founder
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|60589445}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|301338}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{formatnum:{{#expr:(60589445/301338) round 2}}}}
+
−
|73
+
−
|-
+
−
| style="text-align:center" | {{Coat of arms|Latvia|size=30px|text=none|link=Coat of arms of Latvia}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | {{flagg|pxx|Latvia|size=40px}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Latvia]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Riga]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | LV
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | <span style="display:none">20040501</span>{{dts|1 May 2004}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|1950116}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|64589}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{formatnum:{{#expr:(1950116/64589) round 2}}}}
+
−
|8
+
−
|-
+
−
| style="text-align:center" | {{Coat of arms|Lithuania|size=30px|text=none|link=Coat of arms of Lithuania}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | {{flagg|pxx|Lithuania|size=40px}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Lithuania]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Vilnius]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | LT
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | <span style="display:none">20040501</span>{{dts|1 May 2004}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|2847904}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|65200}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{formatnum:{{#expr:(2847904/65200) round 2}}}}
+
−
|11
+
−
|-
+
−
| style="text-align:center" | {{Coat of arms|Luxembourg|size=30px|text=none|link=Coat of arms of Luxembourg}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | {{flagg|pxx|Luxembourg|size=40px}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Luxembourg]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Luxembourg City]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | LU
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | <span style="display:none">19570325</span>Founder
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|590667}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|2586}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{formatnum:{{#expr:(590667/2586) round 2}}}}
+
−
|6
+
−
|-
+
−
| style="text-align:center" | {{Coat of arms|Malta|size=30px|text=none|link=Coat of arms of Malta}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | {{flagg|pxx|Malta|size=40px}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Malta]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Valletta]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | MT
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | <span style="display:none">20040501</span>{{dts|1 May 2004}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|460297}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|316}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{formatnum:{{#expr:(460297/316) round 2}}}}
+
−
|6
+
−
|-
+
−
| style="text-align:center" | {{Coat of arms|Netherlands|size=30px|text=none|link=Coat of arms of the Netherlands}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | {{flagg|pxx|Netherlands|size=40px}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Netherlands]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Amsterdam]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | NL
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | <span style="display:none">19570325</span>Founder
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|17081507}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|41543}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{formatnum:{{#expr:(17081507/41543) round 2}}}}
+
−
|26
+
−
|-
+
−
| style="text-align:center" | {{Coat of arms|Poland|size=30px|text=none|link=Coat of arms of Poland}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | {{flagg|pxx|Poland|size=40px}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Poland]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Warsaw]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | PL
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | <span style="display:none">20040501</span>{{dts|1 May 2004}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|37972964}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|312685}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{formatnum:{{#expr:(37972964/312685) round 2}}}}
+
−
|51
+
−
|-
+
−
| style="text-align:center" | {{Coat of arms|Portugal|size=30px|text=none|link=Coat of arms of Portugal}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | {{flagg|pxx|Portugal|size=40px}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Portugal]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Lisbon]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | PT
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | <span style="display:none">19860101</span>{{dts|1 January 1986}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|10309573}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|92390}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{formatnum:{{#expr:(10309573/92390) round 2}}}}
+
−
|21
+
−
|-
+
−
| style="text-align:center" | {{Coat of arms|Romania|size=30px|text=none|link=Coat of arms of Romania}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | {{flagg|pxx|Romania|size=40px}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Romania]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Bucharest]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | RO
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | <span style="display:none">20070101</span>{{dts|1 January 2007}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|19644350}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|238391}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{formatnum:{{#expr:(19644350/238391) round 2}}}}
+
−
|32
+
−
|-
+
−
| style="text-align:center" | {{Coat of arms|Slovakia|size=30px|text=none|link=Coat of arms of Slovakia}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | {{flagg|pxx|Slovakia|size=40px}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Slovakia]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Bratislava]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | SK
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | <span style="display:none">20040501</span>{{dts|1 May 2004}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|5435343}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|49035}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{formatnum:{{#expr:(5435343/49035) round 2}}}}
+
−
|13
+
−
|-
+
−
| style="text-align:center" | {{Coat of arms|Slovenia|size=30px|text=none|link=Coat of arms of Slovenia}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | {{flagg|pxx|Slovenia|size=40px}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Slovenia]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Ljubljana]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | SI
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | <span style="display:none">20040501</span>{{dts|1 May 2004}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|2065895}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|20273}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{formatnum:{{#expr:(2065895/20273) round 2}}}}
+
−
|8
+
−
|-
+
−
| style="text-align:center" | {{Coat of arms|Spain|size=30px|text=none|link=Coat of arms of Spain}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | {{flagg|pxx|Spain|size=40px}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Spain]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Madrid]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | ES
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | <span style="display:none">19860101</span>{{dts|1 January 1986}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|46528024}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|504030}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{formatnum:{{#expr:(46528024/504030) round 2}}}}
+
−
|54
+
−
|-
+
−
| style="text-align:center" | {{Coat of arms|Sweden|size=30px|text=none|link=Coat of arms of Sweden}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | {{flagg|pxx|Sweden|size=40px}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Sweden]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[Stockholm]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | SE
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | <span style="display:none">19950101</span>{{dts|1 January 1995}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|9995153}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|449964}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{formatnum:{{#expr:(9995153/449964) round 2}}}}
+
−
|20
+
−
|-
+
−
| style="text-align:center" | {{Coat of arms|United Kingdom|size=30px|text=none|link=Coat of arms of the United Kingdom}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | {{flagg|pxx|United Kingdom|size=40px}}
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[United Kingdom]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | [[London]]
+
−
|style="text-align:center" | GB
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | <span style="display:none">19730101</span>{{dts|1 January 1973}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|65808573}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{Nts|243610}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right" | {{formatnum:{{#expr:(65808573/243610) round 2}}}}
+
−
|73
+
−
|- class="sortbottom" style="font-weight:bold;"
+
−
|Totals:
+
−
|||{{EU2019switch|28|27}} countries
+
−
| style="text-align:right;"|
+
−
|
+
−
|
+
−
| style="text-align:right;"| {{EU2019switch|511,522,671|445,714,098}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right;"| {{EU2019switch|4,475,757|4,232,147}}
+
−
| style="text-align:right;"| {{EU2019switch|114.28|105.31}}
+
−
|{{EU2019switch|751|678}}
+
−
|}
+
−
{{Clear}}
+
−
 
+
−
===Institutions===
+
−
{{main|Institutions of the European Union}}
+
−
The EU operates through a hybrid system of [[Supranational union|supranational]] and [[intergovernmentalism|intergovernmental]] decision-making.<ref name="Britannica">{{cite web |title=European Union|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica |url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/196399/European-Union |accessdate=3 July 2013 |quote=international organisation comprising 28 European countries and governing common economic, social, and security policies&nbsp;...}}</ref><ref name="CIA">{{cite web |title=European Union |publisher=Central Intelligence Agency |work=The World Factbook |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ee.html|accessdate=12 February 2016}}</ref>
+
−
 
+
−
EU policy is in general promulgated by [[Directive (European Union)|EU directives]], which are then implemented in the [[Sovereignty|domestic legislation]] of its [[Member state of the European Union|member states]], and [[Regulation (European Union)|EU regulations]], which are immediately enforceable in all member states. The EU's seven principal decision making bodies—known as the [[Institutions of the European Union]] are:
+
−
* the '''[[European Council]]''', which sets the ''general political directions'' and ''priorities'' of the Union by gathering together its member states' [[Head of state|heads of state]]/[[Head of government|government]] (elected chief executives). The conclusions of its summits (held at least quarterly) are adopted by consensus.
+
−
* the '''[[European Commission]]''', the "Guardian of the Treaties" consists of an [[Cabinet (government)|executive cabinet]] of public officials, led by an [[Indirect election|indirectly elected]] President. This ''College of Commissioners'' manages and directs the Commission's permanent civil service. It turns the consensus objectives of the European Council into [[European Union law|legislative proposals]].
+
−
* the '''[[Council of the European Union]]''' is an executive meeting of ministers of member states governments' departments, which meets to amend, approve or reject proposed legislation from the Commission. It forms the ''[[upper house]]'' of the EU's essentially [[Bicameralism|bicameral legislature]]. Its approval is required for any proposal to enter into law.
+
−
* the '''[[European Parliament]]''' consists of 751 directly elected representatives, forming the EU's ''[[lower house]]'' of its bicameral legislature. It shares with the Council of the EU equal legislative powers to amend, approve or reject Commission proposals for most areas of EU legislation. Its powers are limited in areas where member states' view sovereignty to be of primary concern (i.e. defence). It elects the Commission's President, must approve the College of Commissioners, and may vote to remove them collectively from office.
+
−
* the '''[[Court of Justice of the European Union]]''' ensures the uniform application of EU law and resolves disputes between EU institutions and member states, and against EU institutions on behalf of individuals.
+
−
* the '''[[European Central Bank]]''' is responsible for monetary stability within member states.
+
−
* the '''[[European Court of Auditors]]''' investigates the proper management of finances within both the EU entities and EU funding provided to its member states. As well as providing oversight and advice, it can refer unresolved issues to the European Court of Justice to arbitrate on any alleged irregularities.
+
−
 
+
−
====Relation to the Council of Europe====
+
−
{{main|Council of Europe}}
+
−
Beyond the EU institutions is the [[Council of Europe]] (CoE) which is a wider international organisation with 47 member states whose stated aim is to uphold [[human rights]], [[democracy]] and the [[Law in Europe|rule of law]] in Europe. Its legislative principles are promulgated by the [[European Convention on Human Rights]] and its judicial agent is the [[European Court of Human Rights]]. These [[ethical]] institutions are distinct from the [[legislation|legislative]] European Union institutions mentioned above, although ECHR decisions are [[Enforcement|enforcable]] upon the EU institutions and upon the several [[Judiciary|judiciaries]] of [[sovereign]] member states of the EU<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/hearings/20000222/libe/art6/default_en.htm|title=Treaty on European Union: Article 6|website=www.europarl.europa.eu}}</ref>
+
−
 
+
−
The [[Venice Commission]] formally ''The European Commission for Democracy through Law'' provides advice regarding [[basic law|constitutional matters]] in order to improve functioning of democratic institutions and the protection of human rights in member states of the Council of Europe
+
−
 
+
−
====Relations between the EU and its electorate====
+
−
Apart from the national political structures within member states and the directly elected European Parliament the EU also encourages citizen participation via development projects such as '''[[CORDIS]]''' (the EU ''Community Research and Development Information Service'') and the '''[[Erasmus Programme|ERASMUS]]''' (''The European Region Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students'').
+
−
 
+
−
'''[[Lobbying#European Union|Lobbying]]''' at EU level by special interest groups is regulated to try to balance the aspirations of private initiatives with public interest decision-making process<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/bibliotheque/briefing/2013/130558/LDM_BRI(2013)130558_REV1_EN.pdf |title=EU Library Briefing:Lobbying the EU institutions |work=Europarl |access-date=3 March 2018}}</ref>
+
−
 
+
−
'''The Five Presidents''' (in 2017) were led by:
+
−
*the President of the [[European Commission]], [[Jean-Claude Juncker]], indirectly elected by EU citizens via the European Parliament for a 5-year renewable term following European Parliamentary elections,  together with,
+
−
*the President of the [[European Council]], [[Donald Tusk]], who chairs the gatherings of the EU's 28 national heads of government/state and is elected by them for a 2.5 year once renewable term,
+
−
*[[Eurogroup]] President, [[Mário Centeno]], who chairs informal meetings of finance ministers from EU member states that use the euro as their currency, and is elected from amongst them, by them, for a 2.5 year renewable term,
+
−
*the [[European Central Bank]] President, [[Mario Draghi]], elected ''de facto'' by the European Council members who represent eurozone states, for an eight-year non-renewable term,
+
−
*the [[European Parliament]] President, [[Antonio Tajani]], elected from amongst the 751 directly elected Members of the European Parliament, by them, for a 2.5 year renewable term.
+
−
 
+
−
By working together, they seek provide a forward policy consideration nucleus for the various [[Think tank#European think tanks|European "think-tanks"]] which discuss various possible future social and economic scenarios that will eventually require ratification by the EU electorate.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-15-5240_en.htm|title=European Commission - PRESS RELEASES  - Press release - Five Presidents' Report sets out plan for strengthening Europe's Economic and Monetary Union as of 1 July 2015|website=europa.eu}}</ref>
+
−
 
+
−
===Constitutional nature===
+
−
{{Further|Treaties of the European Union}}
+
−
[[File:Organs of the European Union.svg|thumb|400px|Organigram of the political system. The seven organs of the Union are in blue, national / intergovernmental elements in orange.]]
+
−
 
+
−
The classification of the EU in terms of international or constitutional law has been much debated. It began life as an international organisation and gradually developed into a [[confederation]] of states. However, since the mid-1960s it has also added several of the key attributes of a [[federation]], such as the direct effect of the law of the general level of government upon the individual<ref>Court of Justice of the European Union, Judgement of 5 February 1963 in Case 26/62, 'Van Gend en Loos', ''European Court Reports 1963'', p. 1.</ref> and majority voting in the decision-making process of the general level of government,<ref>Single European Act, Article 100a, Approximation of Laws.</ref> without becoming a federation ''per se''. Scholars thus today see it as an intermediate form lying between a confederation and a federation, being an instance of neither political structure.<ref>For example, David Marquand says it is 'less than a federation but more than a confederation'; Brigid Laffan and Kimmo Kiljunen both see it residing 'between a confederation and a federation'; Thomas Hueglin and Alan Fenna locate it 'somewhere between federation and confederation'; and Kalypso Nicolaidis argues 'it is more than a confederation of sovereign states; ... (however, it) should not become a federal state'. <br>
+
−
Michael Burgess enlarges: the EU 'is not a federation but it is also more than a confederation understood in the classical sense. It exists, then, in a kind of conceptual limbo, a twilight zone ... which has no name'. <br>
+
−
Paul Magnette illuminates the nature of the perceived 'in-betweenness': 'Since the seventeenth century, legal theorists have repeated that only two forms of union between states are possible: either the confederation, born of an international treaty concluded between sovereign states, where all decisions are unanimously adopted by state representatives; or the federal state, established by a constitution, where the law voted on by a bicameral parliament applies directly to the citizens. ''Tertium non datur''. There is no third way ... In these, classic, political terms, the European Union is, strictly speaking, inconceivable'. <br>
+
−
Burgess, Michael (2000) ''Federalism and European Union: The Building of Europe 1950–2000'', Routledge, London, pp. 41–2. Hueglin, Thomas and Fenna, Alan (2006) ''Comparative Federalism: A Systematic Inquiry'', Broadview, Peterborough, p. 13. Kiljunen, Kimmo (2004) ''The European Constitution in the Making'', Centre for European Policy Studies, Brussels, p. 22. Laffan, Brigid (2002) ''The Future of Europe Debate'', Institute of European Affairs, Dublin, p. 10. Magnette, Paul (2005) ''What Is the European Union? Nature and Prospects'', Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke, pp. 4–5, 190. Marquand, David (2006) 'Federalism and the British: Anatomy of a Neurosis', in ''Political Quarterly'', Vol. 77, No. 2, p. 175. Nicolaidis, Kalypso (2004) 'We, the Peoples of Europe ...', in ''Foreign Affairs'', Vol. 83, No. 6, pp. 101–2.</ref> For this reason, the organisation is termed ''[[sui generis]]'' (incomparable, one of a kind),<ref>Jacques Delors, the President of the European Commission upon entry into force of the Single European Act, which introduced the widespread use of majority voting to complete the single market, saw it as having at that stage become an 'Unidentified Political Object'. Speech at the People's University, Lille, 8 March 1987.</ref> although some argue that this designation is no longer valid.<ref name="Schütze, 2012"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ee.html|title=Is Europe still sui generis? Signals from The White Paper on European Governance|quote=...&nbsp;we see the notions of governance deployed in the White Paper as undermining the description of the EU as sui generis. It is becoming like a national state, but we differ from many of the critics (or enthusiasts) of the White Paper in one major way. Rather than seeing the EU becoming a state-like object, taking on the trappings of a 19th—or more correctly 20th—century state, we see national states moving towards the EU, adopting many of the governing practices advocated by the White Paper.|accessdate=12 February 2016}}</ref>
+
−
 
+
−
The organisation has traditionally used the terms "Community" and later "Union" to describe itself. The difficulties of classification involve the difference between national law (where the subjects of the law include natural persons and corporations) and [[international law]] (where the subjects include sovereign states and international organisations). They can also be seen in the light of differing European and American constitutional traditions.<ref name="Schütze, 2012">{{cite book|title=European Constitutional Law|last=Schütze|first=Robert|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2012|isbn=978-0-521-73275-8|location=Cambridge|pages=47–79}}</ref>
+
−
Especially in terms of the European tradition, the term federation is equated with a sovereign [[federal state]] in international law; so the EU cannot be called a federation — at least, not without qualification. It is, however, described as being based on a federal model or federal in nature; and so it may be appropriate to consider it a [[federalism|federal union of states]], a conceptual structure lying between the confederation of states and the federal state.<ref>For the derivation of this concept, see the Introduction of the entry on [[Federalism]]. <br />
+
−
Law, John (2013) [http://www.on-federalism.eu/attachments/169_download.pdf "How Can We Define Federalism?"]. ''Perspectives on Federalism'', Vol. 5, No. 3, p. E104.</ref> The German Constitutional Court refers to the EU as a ''[[Staatenverbund]]'', an intermediate structure between the ''Staatenbund'' (confederation of states) and the ''Bundesstaat'' (federal state), consistent with this concept.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bundesverfassungsgericht.de/en/press/bvg09-072en.html |title=Federal Constitutional Court Press Release No. 72/2009 of 30 June 2009. Judgment of 30 June 2009: Act Approving the Treaty of Lisbon compatible with the Basic Law; accompanying law unconstitutional to the extent that legislative bodies have not been accorded sufficient rights of participation |accessdate=17 November 2012 |quote=Due to this structural democratic deficit, which cannot be resolved in an association of sovereign national states (''Staatenverbund''), further steps of integration that go beyond the status quo may undermine neither the States' political power of action nor the principle of conferral. The peoples of the Member States are the holders of the constituent power. The Basic Law does not permit the special bodies of the legislative, executive and judicial power to dispose of the essential elements of the constitution, i.e. of the constitutional identity (Article 23.1 sentence 3, Article 79.3 GG). The constitutional identity is an inalienable element of the democratic self-determination of a people. |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022061516/http://www.bundesverfassungsgericht.de/en/press/bvg09-072en.html |archivedate=22 October 2012 }}</ref>
+
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This may be a long-lived political form. Professor Andrew Moravcsik claims that the EU is unlikely to develop further into a federal state, but instead has reached maturity as a constitutional system.<ref>{{cite book| editor1-last = Wiener| editor1-first = Antje| editor2-last = Diez| editor2-first = Thomas| title = European Integration Theory|chapter=Liberal Intergovernmentalism|first1=Andrew|last1=Moravcsik|first2=Andrew|last2=Moravcsik|quote=Every constitutional system reaches a point where it is mature, where it no longer needs to move forward to remain stable. The EU has reached that point. The EU is not a state in the making: it is the most ambitious and successful of international organisations. | year = 2009| origyear = 2004|edition=2nd| publisher = Oxford University Press| isbn = 978-0-19-922609-2}}</ref>
+
−
 
+
−
===Governance===
+
−
{{Main|Institutions of the European Union|Legislature of the European Union}}
+
−
 
+
−
The European Union has seven institutions: the [[European Parliament]], the [[European Council]], the [[Council of the European Union]],  the [[European Commission]], the [[Court of Justice of the European Union]], the [[European Central Bank]] and the [[European Court of Auditors]]. Competence in scrutinising and amending legislation is shared between the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament, while executive tasks are performed by the European Commission and in a limited capacity by the European Council (not to be confused with the aforementioned Council of the European Union). The [[monetary policy]] of the [[eurozone]] is determined by the European Central Bank. The interpretation and the application of EU law and the treaties are ensured by the Court of Justice of the European Union. The EU budget is scrutinised by the European Court of Auditors. There are also a number of ancillary bodies which advise the EU or operate in a specific area.
+
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+
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{{EU institutions}}
+
−
 
+
−
====European Parliament====
+
−
[[File:European Parliament Strasbourg Hemicycle - Diliff.jpg|thumb|left|The [[hemicycle]] of the [[European Parliament]] in Strasbourg]]
+
−
 
+
−
The [[European Parliament]] forms the other half of the [[Legislature of the European Union|EU's legislature]].
+
−
The 751 [[Member of the European Parliament|Members of the European Parliament]] (MEPs) are directly [[Elections in the European Union|elected]] by [[Citizenship of the European Union|EU citizens]] every five years on the basis of [[proportional representation]]. Although MEPs are elected on a national basis, they sit according to [[Political groups of the European Parliament|political groups]] rather than their nationality. Each country has a set number of seats and is divided into [[European Parliament constituency|sub-national constituencies]] where this does not affect the proportional nature of the voting system.<ref>{{cite web|author=Wellfire Interactive |url=http://www.fairvote.org/european-parliament-to-be-elected-with-proportional-representation-systems |title=MEPs must be elected on the basis of proportional representation, the threshold must not exceed 5%, and the electoral area may be subdivided in constituencies if this will not generally affect the proportional nature of the voting system |publisher=Fairvote.org |accessdate=26 November 2010}}</ref> The European Union council, the Council of Ministers, and the Commission fulfilled the duties as the executive for the parliament.&nbsp;<ref name=":1" />
+
−
 
+
−
The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union pass legislation jointly in nearly all areas under the [[ordinary legislative procedure]]. This also applies to the [[budget of the European Union|EU budget]]. The European Commission is accountable to Parliament, requiring its approval to take office, having to report back to it and subject to motions of censure from it. The [[President of the European Parliament]] (currently [[Antonio Tajani]]) carries out the role of speaker in Parliament and represents it externally. The President and [[Vice President of the European Parliament|Vice-Presidents]] are elected by MEPs every two and a half years.<ref name="Europa Institutions Parliament">{{cite web|title=Institutions: The European Parliament |publisher=Europa web portal |url=http://europa.eu/institutions/inst/parliament/index_en.htm |accessdate=25 June 2007 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070624114722/http://europa.eu/institutions/inst/parliament/index_en.htm |archivedate=24 June 2007 |df= }}</ref>
+
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{{Clear left}}
+
−
 
+
−
====European Council====
+
−
[[File:Donald Tusk 2013-12-19.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[President of the European Council]], [[Donald Tusk]]]]
+
−
 
+
−
The European Council gives political direction to the EU. It convenes at least four times a year and comprises the [[President of the European Council]] (currently [[Donald Tusk]]), the [[President of the European Commission]] and one representative per [[member state of the European Union|member state]] (either its [[head of state]] or [[head of government]]). The [[High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy]] (currently [[Federica Mogherini]]) also takes part in its meetings. It has been described by some as the Union's "supreme political authority".<ref name="How work">{{cite web|title=How does the EU work|publisher=Europa (web portal)|url=http://europa.eu/abc/12lessons/lesson_4/index_en.htm|accessdate=12 July 2007}}</ref> It is actively involved in the negotiation of [[Treaties of the European Union|treaty changes]] and defines the EU's policy agenda and strategies.
+
−
 
+
−
The European Council uses its leadership role to sort out disputes between member states and the institutions, and to resolve political crises and disagreements over controversial issues and policies. It acts externally as a "[[head of state|collective head of state]]" and [[ratification|ratifies]] important documents (for example, international agreements and treaties).<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=aMsWxEnaqrUC&pg=PA146 ''With US or against US?: European trends in American perspective''] Parsons, Jabko. European Union Studies Association, p.146:<br>''Fourth, the European Council acts a "collective head of state" for the EU.''</ref>
+
−
 
+
−
Tasks for the [[President of the European Council]] are ensuring the external representation of the EU,<ref name="Council Press Release">{{cite web|url=http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/111298.pdf|title=President of the European Council|accessdate=24 November 2009|date=24 November 2009|format=PDF|publisher=General Secretariat of the Council of the EU}}</ref> driving consensus and resolving divergences among member states, both during meetings of the European Council and over the periods between them.
+
−
 
+
−
The European Council should not be mistaken for the [[Council of Europe]], an international organisation independent of the EU based in Strasbourg.
+
−
{{Clear left}}
+
−
 
+
−
====Council of the European Union====
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The [[Council of the European Union]] (also called the "Council"<ref>The Latin word ''consilium'' is occasionally used when a single identifier is required, as on [http://www.consilium.europa.eu/ the Council Web site].</ref> and the "Council of Ministers", its former title)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://europa.eu/pol/inst/index_en.htm |title=Institutional affairs: Council of the European Union |date=6 January 2010 |work=Europa |publisher=European Commission |quote=It is commonly called the Council of Ministers}}.</ref> forms one half of the EU's legislature. It consists of a [[minister (government)|government minister]] from each member state and meets in [[Council of the European Union#Configurations|different compositions depending on the policy area being addressed]]. Notwithstanding its different configurations, it is considered to be one single body.<ref name="Europa Institutions Council">{{cite web|title=Institutions: The Council of the European Union |publisher=Europa web portal |url=http://europa.eu/institutions/inst/council/index_en.htm |accessdate=25 June 2007 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070703155822/http://europa.eu/institutions/inst/council/index_en.htm |archivedate=3 July 2007 |df= }}</ref> In addition to its legislative functions, the Council also exercises [[executive functions]] in relations to the [[Common Foreign and Security Policy]].
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{{Clear left}}
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====European Commission====
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[[File:Ioannes Claudius Juncker die 7 Martis 2014.jpg|upright|thumb|[[President of the European Commission|Commission President]], [[Jean-Claude Juncker]]]]
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The [[European Commission]] acts as the EU's [[executive (government)|executive arm]] and is responsible for [[Right of initiative (legislative)|initiating legislation]] and the day-to-day running of the EU. The Commission is also seen as the motor of [[European integration]]. It operates as a [[Cabinet (government)|cabinet government]], with 28 [[European Commissioner|Commissioners]] for different areas of policy, one from each member state, though Commissioners are bound to represent the interests of the EU as a whole rather than their home state.
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One of the 28 is the [[President of the European Commission]] (currently [[Jean-Claude Juncker]]) appointed by the [[European Council]]. After the President, the most prominent Commissioner is the [[High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy]], who is ''ex-officio'' a [[Vice-President of the European Commission|Vice-President of the Commission]] and is also chosen by the European Council.<ref>[[s:Consolidated version of the Treaty on European Union/Title III: Provisions on the Institutions#Article 17|Treaty on European Union: Article 17:7]]</ref> The other 26 Commissioners are subsequently appointed by the [[Council of the European Union]] in agreement with the nominated President. The 28 Commissioners as a single body are subject to a vote of approval by the [[European Parliament]].
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===Budget===
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{{Main|Budget of the European Union}}
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{{Pie chart
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|caption=The 2011 EU budget (€141.9 bn)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/budget/figures/2011/2011_en.cfm |title=The EU budget 2011 in figures – Financial Programming and Budget |publisher=Ec.europa.eu |accessdate=13 October 2013}}</ref>
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|label1=Cohesion and competitiveness for growth and employment
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|value1=45
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|color1= #8CE
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|label2=Direct aids and market related expenditures
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|value2=31
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|color2=#C67
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|label3=Rural development
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|value3=11
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|color3=#4A9
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|label4=EU as a global partner
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|value4=6
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|color4=#DC7
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|label5=Administration
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|value5=6
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|color5=silver
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|label6=Citizenship, freedom, security and justice
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|value6=1
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|color6=#A49
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}}
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The EU had an agreed budget of €120.7&nbsp;billion for the year 2007 and €864.3&nbsp;billion for the period 2007–2013,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/06/204&format=HTML|title=Q&A on Interinstitutional Agreement on Budgetary Discipline and Sound Financial Management 2007–2013}}</ref> representing 1.10% and 1.05% of the EU-27's [[Gross national income|GNI]] forecast for the respective periods. In 1960, the budget of the then European Economic Community was 0.03% of GDP.<ref>{{cite book |first1=David |publisher=Profile Books |place=London |year=1999 |isbn=1-86197-102-8 |author=David Smith. |title=Will Europe work?}}</ref>
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In the 2010 budget of €141.5&nbsp;billion, the largest single expenditure item is "''[[Structural Funds and Cohesion Fund|cohesion & competitiveness]]''" with around 45% of the total budget.<ref name="EUBudget2010">{{cite web|title=EU Budget in detail 2010 |publisher=Europa web portal |author=European Commission |format=PDF |url=http://ec.europa.eu/budget/budget_detail/current_year_en.htm |accessdate=20 December 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100815112106/http://ec.europa.eu/budget/budget_detail/current_year_en.htm |archivedate=15 August 2010 }}</ref> Next comes "''[[Common Agricultural Policy|agriculture]]''" with approximately 31% of the total.<ref name="EUBudget2010"/> "''Rural development, environment and [[Common Fisheries Policy|fisheries]]''" takes up around 11%.<ref name="EUBudget2010"/> "''Administration''" accounts for around 6%.<ref name="EUBudget2010"/> The "''EU as a global partner''" and "''citizenship, freedom, security and justice''" bring up the rear with approximately 6% and 1% respectively.<ref name="EUBudget2010"/>
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The [[Court of Auditors]] is legally obliged to provide the Parliament and the Council with "a statement of assurance as to the reliability of the accounts and the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions".<ref>Article 287 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (ex Article 248 TEC).</ref> The Court also gives opinions and proposals on financial legislation and anti-fraud actions.<ref name="Europa Institutions Auditors">{{cite web|title=Institutions: Court of Auditors |publisher=Europa (web portal) |url=http://europa.eu/institutions/inst/auditors/index_en.htm |accessdate=8 February 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091222001147/http://europa.eu/institutions/inst/auditors/index_en.htm |archivedate=22 December 2009 |df= }}</ref> The Parliament uses this to decide whether to approve the Commission's handling of the budget.
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The European Court of Auditors has signed off the European Union accounts every year since 2007{{when|date=December 2016}} and, while making it clear that the European Commission has more work to do, has highlighted that most of the errors take place at national level.<ref name="European Court of Auditors">{{cite web|title=2012 annual report|publisher=Europa (web portal)|url=http://www.eca.europa.eu/en/Pages/AR_2012.aspx|accessdate=13 November 2015}}></ref><ref name="European Commission">{{cite web|url=http://blogs.ec.europa.eu/ECintheUK/european-auditors-point-to-errors-but-sign-off-eus-accounts/|title=European auditors point to errors but sign off EU's accounts – some UK media decline to listen to what the auditors say|publisher=Europa (web portal)|accessdate=13 November 2015}}></ref> In their report on 2009 the auditors found that five areas of Union expenditure, [[Common Agricultural Policy|agriculture]] and the [[Structural Funds and Cohesion Fund|cohesion fund]], were materially affected by error.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eca.europa.eu/portal/pls/portal/docs/1/5926723.PDF |archive-url=http://collection.europarchive.org/nli/20110221211745/http://eca.europa.eu/portal/pls/portal/docs/1/5926723.PDF |dead-url=yes |archive-date=21 February 2011 |title=Annual Report of the Court of Auditors on the implementation of the budget concerning the financial year 2009, together with the institutions' replies |page=12 |accessdate=18 December 2010 }}</ref> The European Commission estimated in 2009 that the financial effect of irregularities was €1,863&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/anti_fraud/reports/commission/2009/en.pdf|title=Protection of the European Union's financial interests – Fight against fraud – Annual Report 2009 (''vid.'' pp. 6, 15)|publisher=Europa|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100729063014/http://ec.europa.eu/anti_fraud/reports/commission/2009/en.pdf|archivedate=29 July 2010}}</ref>
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===Competences===
 
===Competences===
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EU member states retain all powers not explicitly handed to the European Union. In some areas the EU enjoys exclusive competence. These are areas in which member states have renounced any capacity to enact legislation. In other areas the EU and its member states share the competence to legislate. While both can legislate, member states can only legislate to the extent to which the EU has not. In other policy areas the EU can only co-ordinate, support and supplement member state action but cannot enact legislation with the aim of harmonising national laws.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/competition/consumers/events/2009/index.html|title=Competences and consumers|accessdate=25 November 2010}}</ref>
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UNAC member states retain all powers not explicitly handed to the Union. In some areas the UNAC enjoys exclusive competence. These are areas in which member states have renounced any capacity to enact legislation. In other areas the UNAC and its member states share the competence to legislate. While both can legislate, member states can only legislate to the extent to which the UNAC has not. In other policy areas the Union can only co-ordinate, support and supplement member state action but cannot enact legislation with the aim of harmonizing national laws.
  
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That a particular policy area falls into a certain category of competence is not necessarily indicative of what [[Legislature of the European Union|legislative procedure]] is used for enacting legislation within that policy area. Different legislative procedures are used within the same category of competence, and even with the same policy area.
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That a particular policy area falls into a certain category of competence is not necessarily indicative of what legislative procedure is used for enacting legislation within that policy area. Different legislative procedures are used within the same category of competence, and even with the same policy area.
  
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The distribution of competences in various policy areas between Member States and the Union is divided in the following three categories:
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The distribution of competences in various policy areas between Member States and the Union is divided into __ categories:
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{{EU competences}}
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==Legal system==
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{{Further|European Union law|Treaties of the European Union|Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union}}
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[[File:European Court of Justice - Luxembourg (1674586821).jpg|thumb|The [[European Court of Justice|Court of Justice]], seated in [[Luxembourg City|Luxembourg]].]]
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The EU is based on a series of [[Treaties of the European Union|treaties]]. These first established the European Community and the EU, and then made amendments to those founding treaties.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sources of EU law|url=http://ec.europa.eu/ireland/general_information/legal_information_and_eu_law/sources_eu_law/index_en.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080228193407/http://ec.europa.eu/ireland/general_information/legal_information_and_eu_law/sources_eu_law/index_en.htm|archivedate=28 February 2008|publisher=European Commission|accessdate=5 September 2007}}</ref> These are power-giving treaties which set broad policy goals and establish institutions with the necessary legal powers to implement those goals. These legal powers include the ability to enact legislation<ref group="lower-alpha" name="art249">See Article 288 (ex Article 249 TEC) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, on [http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2010:083:0047:0200:EN:PDF eur-lex.europa.eu]</ref> which can directly affect all member states and their inhabitants.<ref group="lower-alpha" name="Direct Effect">According to the principle of Direct Effect first invoked in the Court of Justice's decision in {{cite court|litigants=Van Gend en Loos v Nederlandse Administratie der Belastingen|reporter=Eur-Lex|court=European Court of Justice|year=1963|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:61962J0026:EN:NOT}} See: Craig and de Búrca, ch. 5.</ref> The EU has [[legal personality]], with the right to sign agreements and international treaties.<ref>{{cite journal |first=Philippe |last=de Schoutheete|last2=Andoura |first2=Sami |title=The Legal Personality of the European Union |journal=Studia Diplomatica |volume=LX |year=2007 |issue=1 |url=http://aei.pitt.edu/9083/01/Legal.Personality.EU-PDS-SA.pdf |accessdate=15 November 2010}} Its examples are the ratifications of [[United Nations Convention against Corruption]] and [[Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities]] by EU. And Article 47 of the Consolidated Treaty on European Union.</ref>
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Under the principle of [[Supremacy (European Union law)|supremacy]], national courts are required to enforce the treaties that their member states have ratified, and thus the laws enacted under them, even if doing so requires them to ignore conflicting national law, and (within limits) even constitutional provisions.<ref group="lower-alpha" name="Supremacy">According to the principle of [[Law of the European Union#Supremacy|Supremacy]] as established by the ECJ in Case 6/64, ''Falminio Costa v. ENEL'' [1964] ECR 585. See Craig and de Búrca, ch. 7. See also: [[Factortame litigation]]: ''Factortame Ltd. v. Secretary of State for Transport (No. 2) [1991] 1 AC 603'', ''Solange II'' (''Re Wuensche Handelsgesellschaft'', BVerfG decision of 22 October 1986 [1987] 3 CMLR 225,265) and ''Frontini v. Ministero delle Finanze'' [1974] 2 CMLR 372; ''Raoul George Nicolo'' [1990] 1 CMLR 173.</ref>
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===Courts of Justice===
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The [[judiciary|judicial branch]] of the EU—formally called the [[Court of Justice of the European Union]]—consists of two courts: the [[European Court of Justice|Court of Justice]] and the [[General Court (European Union)|General Court]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2010:083:0013:0046:EN:PDF |title=Article 19 of the Treaty on European Union |publisher=eur-lex.europa.eu |accessdate=31 October 2010}}</ref>
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The Court of Justice primarily deals with cases taken by member states, the institutions, and [[Preliminary ruling|cases referred to it]] by the courts of member states.<ref>{{cite web |title=Court of Justice: presentation |url=http://curia.europa.eu/jcms/jcms/Jo2_7024/#competences |publisher=Europa web portal |accessdate=26 December 2009}}</ref> The General Court mainly deals with cases taken by individuals and companies directly before the EU's courts,<ref>{{cite web |title=General Court: presentation |url=http://curia.europa.eu/jcms/jcms/Jo2_7033/#compet |publisher=Europa web portal |accessdate=26 December 2009}}</ref> and the European Union Civil Service Tribunal adjudicates in disputes between the European Union and [[European Civil Service|its civil service]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Civil Service Tribunal: presentation |url=http://curia.europa.eu/jcms/jcms/T5_5230/#compétence |publisher=Europa web portal |accessdate=26 December 2009}}</ref> Decisions from the General Court can be appealed to the Court of Justice but only on a point of law.<ref>Article 256(1) (ex article 225(1)) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, on [http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2010:083:0047:0200:EN:PDF eur-lex.europa.eu]</ref>
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===Fundamental rights===
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[[File:Remise du Prix Sakharov à Aung San Suu Kyi Strasbourg 22 octobre 2013-14.jpg|right|thumb|The ceremony of the 1990 [[Sakharov Prize]] awarded to [[Aung San Suu Kyi]] by [[Martin Schulz]], inside the Parliament's Strasbourg hemicycle, in 2013.]]
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The treaties declare that the EU itself is "founded on the values of respect for [[human dignity]], [[liberty|freedom]], democracy, [[equality before the law|equality]], the [[rule of law]] and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to [[minority group|minorities]]&nbsp;... in a society in which pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality between women and men prevail."<ref>[[s:Consolidated version of the Treaty on European Union/Title I: Common Provisions#Article 2|Article 2, Treaty on European Union (consolidated 1 December 2009)]]</ref>
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In 2009, the [[Lisbon Treaty]] gave legal effect to the [[Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union]]. The charter is a codified catalogue of [[fundamental right]]s against which the EU's legal acts can be judged. It consolidates many rights which were previously recognised by the Court of Justice and derived from the "constitutional traditions common to the member states."<ref>Case 11/70, Internationale Handelsgesellschaft v. Einfuhr und Vorratstelle für Getreide und Futtermittel; Article 6(2) of the Maastricht Treaty (as amended).</ref> The Court of Justice has long recognised fundamental rights and has, on occasion, invalidated EU legislation based on its failure to adhere to those fundamental rights.<ref name="europarl-rights">{{cite web|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/factsheets/2_1_1_en.htm|title=Respect for fundamental rights in the EU – general development|publisher=The [[European Parliament]]|work=European Parliament Fact Sheets|accessdate=6 September 2008}}</ref>
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Although signing the [[European Convention on Human Rights]] (ECHR) is a condition for EU membership,<ref group="lower-alpha">It is effectively treated as one of the Copenhagen criteria, [http://assembly.coe.int/Main.asp?link=/Documents/AdoptedText/ta08/ERES1610.htm Assembly.coe.int.] This is a political and not a legal requirement for membership. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080626175941/http://assembly.coe.int/Main.asp?link=/Documents/AdoptedText/ta08/ERES1610.htm |date=26 June 2008 }}</ref> previously, the EU itself could not accede to the Convention as it is neither a state<ref group="lower-alpha">The European Convention on Human Rights was previously only open to members of the [[Council of Europe]] ([http://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/en/Treaties/Html/005.htm Article 59.1 of the Convention]), and even now only states may become member of the Council of Europe ([http://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/en/Treaties/Html/001.htm Article 4 of the Statute of the Council of Europe]).</ref> nor had the competence to accede.<ref group="lower-alpha">Opinion (2/92) of the European Court of Justice on "Accession by the Community to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms" [http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:61994V0002:FR:NOT 1996 E.C.R. I-1759] (in French), ruled that the European Community did not have the competence to accede to the ECHR.</ref> The Lisbon Treaty and Protocol 14 to the ECHR have changed this: the former binds the EU to accede to the Convention while the latter formally permits it.
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Although, the EU is independent from Council of Europe, they share purpose and ideas especially on rule of law, human rights and democracy. Further [[European Convention on Human Rights]] and [[European Social Charter]], the [[source of law]] of [[Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union|Charter of Fundamental Rights]] are created by Council of Europe. The EU also promoted human rights issues in the wider world. The EU opposes the death penalty and has proposed its worldwide abolition. Abolition of the death penalty is a condition for EU membership.<ref>{{cite web|title=EU Policy on Death Penalty|url=http://eeas.europa.eu/human_rights/adp/index_en.htm|work=Europa|publisher=European Union External Action Service|accessdate=4 June 2013}}</ref>
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===Acts===
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The main legal acts of the EU come in three forms: [[Regulation (European Union)|regulations]], [[Directive (European Union)|directives]], and [[Decision (European Union)|decisions]]. Regulations become law in all member states the moment they come into force, without the requirement for any implementing measures,<ref group="lower-alpha">See: Case 34/73, ''Variola v. Amministrazione delle Finanze'' [http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:61973J0034:EN:NOT <nowiki>[1973]</nowiki> ECR 981].</ref> and automatically override conflicting domestic provisions.<ref group="lower-alpha" name="art249"/> Directives require member states to achieve a certain result while leaving them discretion as to how to achieve the result. The details of how they are to be implemented are left to member states.<ref group="lower-alpha">To do otherwise would require the drafting of legislation which would have to cope with the frequently divergent legal systems and administrative systems of all of the now 28 member states. See Craig and de Búrca, p. 115</ref> When the time limit for implementing directives passes, they may, under certain conditions, have [[direct effect]] in national law against member states.
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Decisions offer an alternative to the two above modes of legislation. They are legal acts which only apply to specified individuals, companies or a particular member state. They are most often used in [[competition law]], or on rulings on State Aid, but are also frequently used for procedural or administrative matters within the institutions. Regulations, directives, and decisions are of equal legal value and apply without any formal hierarchy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://europa.eu/institutions/decision-making/index_en.htm|title=How EU takes decisions|accessdate=1 November 2010|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110102215021/http://europa.eu/institutions/decision-making/index_en.htm|archivedate=2 January 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
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===Area of freedom, security and justice===
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{{Further|Area of freedom, security and justice}}
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[[File:OffeneGrenzeNiederndorf-Oberaudorf.jpg|thumb|right|The borders inside the [[Schengen Area]] between Germany and Austria]]
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[[File:Europol Building; The Hague; Eisenhowerlaan; Statenkwartier; 2014; photo nr. 41860.jpg|thumb|left|[[Europol]] Headquarters in [[The Hague]], [[Netherlands]]]]
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Since the creation of the EU in 1993, it has developed its competencies in the area of freedom, security and justice, initially at an intergovernmental level and later by supranationalism. To this end, agencies have been established that co-ordinate associated actions: [[Europol]] for co-operation of police forces,<ref>{{cite web|title=European police office now in full swing|url=http://ec.europa.eu/justice_home/fsj/police/europol/fsj_police_europol_en.htm|publisher=Europa web portal|accessdate=4 September 2007}}</ref> [[Eurojust]] for co-operation between prosecutors,<ref>{{cite web|title=Eurojust coordinating cross-border prosecutions at EU level|url=http://ec.europa.eu/justice_home/fsj/criminal/eurojust/fsj_criminal_eurojust_en.htm|publisher=Europa web portal|accessdate=4 September 2007}}</ref> and [[Frontex]] for co-operation between border control authorities.<ref>{{cite web|title=What is Frontex?|url=http://www.frontex.europa.eu/|author=Frontex|publisher=Europa web portal|accessdate=4 September 2007}}</ref> The EU also operates the [[Schengen Information System]]<ref name="Internal borders"/> which provides a common database for police and immigration authorities. This co-operation had to particularly be developed with the advent of open borders through the [[Schengen Agreement]] and the associated cross border crime.
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Furthermore, the Union has legislated in areas such as [[European Arrest Warrant|extradition]],<ref>{{cite web|title=European arrest warrant replaces extradition between EU Member States|url=http://ec.europa.eu/justice_home/fsj/criminal/extradition/fsj_criminal_extradition_en.htm|publisher=Europa web portal|accessdate=4 September 2007}}</ref> family law,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/justice_freedom_security/judicial_cooperation_in_civil_matters/l33194_en.htm|title=Jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in matrimonial matters and in matters of parental responsibility (Brussels II)|publisher=Europa web portal|accessdate=5 September 2008}}</ref> asylum law,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/justice_freedom_security/free_movement_of_persons_asylum_immigration/l33150_en.htm|title=Minimum standards on the reception of applicants for asylum in Member States|publisher=Europa web portal|accessdate=5 September 2008}}</ref> and criminal justice.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/justice_freedom_security/judicial_cooperation_in_criminal_matters/l10110_en.htm|title=Specific Programme: 'Criminal Justice'|publisher=Europa web portal|accessdate=5 September 2008}}</ref> Prohibitions against sexual and nationality discrimination have a long standing in the treaties.<ref group="lower-alpha" name="art39/141 Rome">See Articles 157 (ex Article 141) of the [[Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union]], on [http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2010:083:0013:0046:EN:PDF eur-lex.europa.eu]</ref> In more recent years, these have been supplemented by powers to legislate against discrimination based on race, religion, disability, age, and sexual orientation.<ref group="lower-alpha" name="art2(7) Amsterdam">See Article 2(7) of the [[Amsterdam Treaty]] on [http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/treaties/dat/11997D/htm/11997D.html#0001010001 eur-lex.europa.eu] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217024604/http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/treaties/dat/11997D/htm/11997D.html#0001010001 |date=17 February 2008 }}</ref> By virtue of these powers, the EU has enacted legislation on [[sexism|sexual discrimination]] in the work-place, [[ageism|age discrimination]], and [[racism|racial discrimination]].<ref group="lower-alpha">Council Directive 2000/43/EC of 29 June 2000 implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin (OJ L 180, 19 July 2000, p. 22–26); Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation (OJ L 303, 2 December 2000, p. 16–22).</ref>
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==Foreign relations==
 
==Foreign relations==
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{{Main|Foreign relations of the European Union|Common Foreign and Security Policy|European External Action Service}}
 
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[[File:Federica Mogherini Official.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy]], [[Federica Mogherini]]]]
 
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[[File:Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G20 Summit in Hangzhou, China.jpg|thumb|The EU participates in all [[G8]] and [[G-20 major economies|G20]] summits. ([[2016 G20 Hangzhou summit|G20 summit in Hangzhou, 2016]])]]
 
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[[File:Juncker Trump Tusk Brussels 2017.jpg|thumb|[[Donald Tusk]] and [[Jean-Claude Juncker]] with U.S. President [[Donald Trump]]]]
 
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Foreign policy co-operation between member states dates from the establishment of the Community in 1957, when member states negotiated as a bloc in international trade negotiations under the [[EU's common commercial policy]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Qualified-Majority Voting: Common commercial policy|url=http://ec.europa.eu/archives/igc2000/geninfo/fact-sheets/fact-sheet6/index_en.htm|accessdate=3 September 2007|publisher=Europa web portal}}</ref> Steps for a more wide-ranging co-ordination in foreign relations began in 1970 with the establishment of [[European Political Cooperation]] which created an informal consultation process between member states with the aim of forming common foreign policies. It was not, however, until 1987 when European Political Cooperation was introduced on a formal basis by the [[Single European Act]]. EPC was renamed as the [[Common Foreign and Security Policy]] (CFSP) by the [[Maastricht Treaty]].<ref name="EPC">{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070708111806/http://europa.eu/scadplus/glossary/european_political_cooperation_en.htm |dead-url=yes |archive-date= 8 July 2007 |url=http://europa.eu/scadplus/glossary/european_political_cooperation_en.htm |title=European political co-operation (EPC) |accessdate=3 September 2007 |publisher=Europa web portal |author=The European commission |work=Europa Glossary |df= }}</ref>
 
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The aims of the CFSP are to promote both the EU's own interests and those of the [[international community]] as a whole, including the furtherance of international co-operation, respect for human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.<ref name="art11 Union">Article 21 of the [[Maastricht Treaty|Treaty on European Union]] (as inserted by the Treaty of Lisbon), on [http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2010:083:0013:0046:EN:PDF eur-lex.europa.eu]</ref> The CFSP requires unanimity among the member states on the appropriate policy to follow on any particular issue. The unanimity and difficult issues treated under the CFSP sometimes lead to disagreements, such as those which occurred over the [[Iraq War|war in Iraq]].<ref name="BBC Iraq statement">{{cite news|title=Divided EU agrees Iraq statement|work =[[BBC News]]|publisher=[[BBC]]|date=27 January 2003|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/2697667.stm|accessdate=13 March 2009}}</ref>
 
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The coordinator and representative of the CFSP within the EU is the [[High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy]] who speaks on behalf of the EU in foreign policy and defence matters, and has the task of articulating the positions expressed by the member states on these fields of policy into a common alignment. The High Representative heads up the [[European External Action Service]] (EEAS), a unique EU department<ref name="23Oct">Rettman, Andrew (23 October 2009) [http://euobserver.com/9/28878 EU states envisage new foreign policy giant], EU Observer</ref> that has been officially implemented and operational since 1 December 2010 on the occasion of the first anniversary of the entry into force of the [[Treaty of Lisbon]].<ref>{{cite web|title=European External Action Service gives Europe voice on world stage|url=http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/EN/Infoservice/Presse/Meldungen/2010/101201-EAD.html|publisher=German Foreign Ministry|accessdate=4 June 2013|date=1 December 2010}}</ref> The EEAS will serve as a foreign ministry and [[diplomatic corps]] for the European Union.<ref name="Europa EEAS">{{cite web|title=European External Action Service|publisher=Europa web portal|year=2010|url=http://eeas.europa.eu/background/index_en.htm|accessdate=26 June 2010}}</ref>
 
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Besides the emerging international policy of the European Union, the international influence of the EU is also felt through [[Enlargement of the European Union|enlargement]]. The perceived benefits of becoming a member of the EU act as an incentive for both political and economic reform in states wishing to fulfil the EU's accession criteria, and are considered an important factor contributing to the reform of European formerly Communist countries.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Peterson|first=John|date=August 2008|title=Enlargement, reform and the European Commission. Weathering a perfect storm?|url=https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13501760802133328|journal=[[Journal of European Public Policy]], special issue: Reforming the European Commission|publisher=[[Taylor and Francis]]|volume=15|issue=5|pages=761–780|doi=10.1080/13501760802133328|postscript=.|ref=harv}}</ref>{{rp|762}} This influence on the internal affairs of other countries is generally referred to as "[[soft power]]", as opposed to military "hard power".<ref name="Soft Power">{{cite web|last=Bildt |first=Carl |authorlink=Carl Bildt |title=Europe must keep its 'soft power' |work=Financial Times on Centre for European Reform |year=2005 |url=http://www.cer.org.uk/articles/bildt_ft_1june05.html |accessdate=26 June 2007 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070609135542/http://www.cer.org.uk/articles/bildt_ft_1june05.html |archivedate=9 June 2007 |deadurl=yes |df=dmy }}</ref>
 
  
 
===Defence===
 
===Defence===
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{{Main|Common Security and Defence Policy}}
 
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[[File:Frontex HQ Warsaw Spire office complex Warsaw.jpg|thumb|upright|Seat of [[Frontex]]  in [[Warsaw]]]]
 
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The predecessors of the European Union were not devised as a military alliance because [[NATO]] was largely seen as appropriate and sufficient for defence purposes.{{sfn|Wilkinson|2007|page=100}} 22 EU members are members of NATO<ref>{{cite web|title=NATO Member Countries|url=http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/nato_countries.htm|accessdate=25 August 2009}}</ref> while the remaining member states follow policies of [[Neutrality (international relations)|neutrality]].<ref>{{cite conference|first=Finn|last=Laursen|title=The EU 'neutrals,' the CFSP and defence policy|booktitle=Biennial Conference of the European Union Studies Association|page=27|publisher=University of Pittsburgh|date=29 May – 1 June 1997|location=Seattle, WA.|url=http://aei.pitt.edu/2657/|accessdate=24 July 2009}}</ref> The [[Western European Union]], a military alliance with a mutual defence clause, was disbanded in 2010 as its role had been transferred to the EU.<ref>[http://www.weu.int/Declaration_E.pdf Statement of the Presidency of the Permanent Council of the WEU] – on behalf of the High Contracting Parties to the Modified Brussels Treaty – Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom – Western European Union 31 March 2010.</ref>
 
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[[File:A400M.jpg|thumb|left|An [[Airbus A400M Atlas|A400M]] [[military transport aircraft]] built by [[Airbus|Airbus SE]] (''[[Societas Europaea]]''; [[Latin language|Latin]]: European company)]]
 
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According to the [[Stockholm International Peace Research Institute]] (SIPRI), the United Kingdom spent $61 billion on defence in 2014, placing it fifth in the world, while France spent $53 billion, the sixth largest.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://milexdata.sipri.org/ |title=The SIPRI Military Expenditure Database |publisher=Milexdata.sipri.org |accessdate=3 June 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328072123/http://milexdata.sipri.org/ |archivedate=28 March 2010 }}</ref> Together, the UK and France account for approximately 40 per cent of European countries' defence budget and 50 per cent of their military capacity.<ref>[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10685127 "Britain and France to work together"] by Catherine Field. 4 November 2010. nzherald.co.nz. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Britain spent more than US$69 billion on defence last year, placing it third in the world after the United States and China, while France spent US$67.31 billion, the fourth largest. Together, Britain and France account for 45 per cent of Europe's defence budget, 50 per cent of its military capacity and 70 per cent of all spending in military research and development. Copyright 2010, APN Holdings NZ Limited.</ref> Both are officially recognised [[List of states with nuclear weapons|nuclear weapon states]] holding [[Permanent members of the United Nations Security Council|permanent seats]] on the [[United Nations Security Council]].
 
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Following the [[Kosovo War]] in 1999, the [[European Council]] agreed that "the Union must have the capacity for autonomous action, backed by credible military forces, the means to decide to use them, and the readiness to do so, in order to respond to international crises without prejudice to actions by NATO". To that end, a number of efforts were made to increase the EU's military capability, notably the [[Helsinki Headline Goal]] process. After much discussion, the most concrete result was the [[EU Battlegroup]]s initiative, each of which is planned to be able to deploy quickly about 1500&nbsp;personnel.<ref name="Council Capabilities">{{cite web|title=EU battlegroups |publisher=Europa web portal|author=Council of the European Union|url=http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cmsUpload/090720-Factsheet-Battlegroups_EN.pdf|date=July 2009|accessdate=3 June 2013}}</ref>
 
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[[EUFOR|EU forces]] have been deployed on peacekeeping missions from middle and northern Africa to the [[western Balkans]] and western Asia.<ref name="Council Operations">{{cite web|title=Overview of the missions and operations of the European Union|date=April 2003|publisher=Europa web portal|author=Council of the European Union|url=http://www.consilium.europa.eu/eeas/security-defence/eu-operations?amp;lang=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111202213910/http://www.consilium.europa.eu/eeas/security-defence/eu-operations?amp;lang=en|dead-url=yes|archive-date=2 December 2011|accessdate=3 June 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> EU military operations are supported by a number of bodies, including the [[European Defence Agency]], [[European Union Satellite Centre]] and the [[European Union Military Staff]].<ref name="Council Structures">{{cite web|title=CSDP structures and instruments|publisher=Europa web portal|author=Council of the European Union|url=http://www.consilium.europa.eu/eeas/security-defence/csdp-structures-and-instruments?lang=en|accessdate=3 June 2013}}</ref> [[Frontex]] is an [[Agencies of the European Union|agency of the EU]] established to manage the cooperation between national [[border guard]]s securing its external [[border]]s. It aims to detect and stop illegal immigration, [[human trafficking]] and terrorist infiltration. In 2015 the European Commission presented its proposal for a new European Border and Coast Guard Agency having a stronger role and mandate along with national authorities for border management. In an EU consisting of 28 members, substantial security and defence co-operation is increasingly relying on collaboration among all member states.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.diis.dk/sw87465.asp?csref=RSS |title=The Russo-Georgian War and Beyond: towards a European Great Power Concert, Danish ''Institute of International Studies'' |publisher=Diis.dk |accessdate=27 April 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429211047/http://www.diis.dk/sw87465.asp?csref=RSS |archivedate=29 April 2011 }}</ref>
 
  
 
===Humanitarian aid===
 
===Humanitarian aid===
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{{Further|Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations}}
 
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[[File:ECHO plane.jpg|thumb|Collectively, the EU is the largest contributor of [[ECHO (European Commission)|foreign aid]] in the world.<ref name="GHA report 2014">{{cite web|title=GHA report 2014|publisher=globalhumanitarianassistance.org|author=GHA|date=22 February 2015|url=http://www.globalhumanitarianassistance.org/report/gha-report-2014}}</ref><ref name="OECD aid report 2013">{{cite web|title=Aid to developing countries (2013)|publisher=OECD|author=OECD|date=4 August 2013|url=http://www.oecd.org/newsroom/aid-to-developing-countries-rebounds-in-2013-to-reach-an-all-time-high.htm}}</ref>]]
 
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[[File:IAHV, Jordan Program At Syrian Refugee Camp.jpg|thumb|left|The European Union co-funds [[psychosocial]] support by the IAHV, Jordan at the [[Zaatari refugee camp]] for the [[Syrian refugees]].]]
 
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The [[ECHO (European Commission)|European Commission's Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department]], or "ECHO", provides [[humanitarian aid]] from the EU to [[developing country|developing countries]]. In 2012, its budget amounted to €874 million, 51% of the budget went to Africa and 20% to Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and Pacific, and 20% to the Middle East and Mediterranean.<ref>{{cite web | title = ECHO's finances | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130718150202/http://ec.europa.eu/echo/funding/finances_en.htm | archive-date = 18 July 2013 | url = http://ec.europa.eu/echo/funding/finances_en.htm | website = ec.europa.eu | publisher = Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection, [[European Commission]]}}</ref>
 
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Humanitarian aid is financed directly by the budget (70%) as part of the financial instruments for external action and also by the [[European Development Fund]] (30%).<ref name="ODI">Mikaela Gavas 2010. [http://www.odi.org.uk/resources/details.asp?id=5078&title=european-development-cooperation-financial-perspectives Financing European development cooperation: the Financial Perspectives 2014–2020.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110316022518/http://www.odi.org.uk/resources/details.asp?id=5078&title=european-development-cooperation-financial-perspectives|date=16 March 2011}} London: [[Overseas Development Institute]]</ref> The EU's external action financing is divided into 'geographic' instruments and 'thematic' instruments.<ref name=ODI/> The 'geographic' instruments provide aid through the [[Development Cooperation Instrument]] (DCI, €16.9 billion, 2007–2013), which must spend 95% of its budget on [[official development assistance]] (ODA), and from the [[European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument]] (ENPI), which contains some relevant programmes.<ref name=ODI/> The European Development Fund (EDF, €22.7 bn, 2008–2013) is made up of voluntary contributions by member states, but there is pressure to merge the EDF into the budget-financed instruments to encourage increased contributions to match the 0.7% target and allow the [[European Parliament]] greater oversight.<ref name=ODI/>
 
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In 2016, the average among EU countries was 0.4% and five had met or exceeded the 0.7% target: Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg, Sweden and the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite web|title=Development aid rises again in 2016|url=http://www.oecd.org/dac/financing-sustainable-development/development-finance-data/ODA-2016-detailed-summary.pdf|publisher=OECD|date=11 April 2017|accessdate=23 December 2017}}</ref>
 
  
 
==Economy==
 
==Economy==
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{{Main|Economy of the European Union|Regional policy of the European Union}}
 
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[[File:Gross domestic product (GDP) per inhabitant in purchasing power standards (PPS) in relation to the EU-28 average, by NUTS 2 regions, 2015.png|thumb|Gross domestic product (GDP) per inhabitant in purchasing power standards (PPS) in relation to the EU-28 average, by NUTS 2 regions, 2015|400px]]
 
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<div class="thumbinner tright" style="width:302px; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;">{{border|<timeline>
 
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bar:USA from:start till:20200 text:20,200
 
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bar:EU from:start till:18394 text:18,394
 
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bar:China from:start till:13119 text:13,119
 
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bar:Japan from:start till:4952 text:4,952
 
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bar:India from:start till:2654 text:2,654
 
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pos:(100,7) textcolor:gray fontsize:S text:United States Dollars (billions)
 
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</timeline>}}<div class="thumbcaption">The five largest economies in the world according to the [[IMF]] by [[List of countries by GDP (nominal)|Nominal GDP]] in 2018<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2017/02/weodata/index.aspx |title = World Economic Outlook Database, October 2017|date = |accessdate = 27 October 2017|website = |publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref></div></div>
 
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The European Union has established a [[Internal market|single market]] across the territory of all its members representing 511 million citizens. In 2016, the EU had a combined GDP of $20 trillion [[international dollar]]s, a 17% share of [[list of countries by GDP|global gross domestic product by purchasing power parity (PPP)]].<ref name="2011-IMG-GDP">{{cite web |url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2014/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=28&pr.y=14&sy=2014&ey=2014&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=998&s=NGDPD%2CPPPGDP%2CPPPPC&grp=1&a=1|date=October 2014 |title=World Economic Outlook Database, October 2014 Edition |publisher=International Monetary Fund}}</ref> As a political entity the European Union is represented in the [[World Trade Organization]] (WTO). EU member states own the estimated second largest after the [[United States]] (33%) [[net wealth]] in the world, equal to 25% (US$72 trillion) of the $280 trillion global wealth.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.credit-suisse.com/corporate/en/research/research-institute/global-wealth-report.html?WT.i_short-url=/gwr&WT.i_target-url=/corporate/en/research/research-institute/global-wealth-report.html&ref=https://www.credit-suisse.com/corporate/en/articles/news-and-expertise/the-global-wealth-report-2016-201611.html|title=Global Wealth Report|website=Credit Suisse}}</ref>
 
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19 member states have joined a monetary union known as the [[eurozone]], which uses the [[Euro]] as a single currency. The currency union represents 340 million EU citizens.<ref name="Europa Single Market"/> The euro is the second largest [[reserve currency]] as well as the second most traded currency in the world after the [[United States dollar]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bis.org/publ/rpfxf07t.pdf |title=Triennial Central Bank Survey 2007 |publisher=BIS |date=19 December 2007 |accessdate=25 July 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/14350/1/MPRA_paper_14350.pdf|title=Compositional Analysis of Foreign Currency Reserves in the 1999–2007 Period. The Euro vs. The Dollar As Leading Reserve Currency|last=Aristovnik|first=Aleksander|last2=Čeč|first2=Tanja|date=30 March 2010|publisher=Munich Personal RePEc Archive, Paper No. 14350|accessdate=27 December 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Boesler|first=Matthew|title=There Are Only Two Real Threats To The US Dollar's Status As The International Reserve Currency|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/dollar-as-international-reserve-currency-2013-11|accessdate=8 December 2013|newspaper=Business Insider|date=11 November 2013}}</ref>
 
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Of the top [[Fortune Global 500|500 largest corporations in the world measured by revenue]] in 2010, 161 have their headquarters in the EU.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/global500/2010/countries/Australia.html|title=Global 500 2010: Countries – Australia|work=Fortune|accessdate=8 July 2010}} Number of companies data taken from the "Pick a country" box.</ref> In 2016, unemployment in the EU stood at 8.9%<ref name="UNEMP">{{cite web |format=PDF |url=http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/7197743/3-01032016-AP-EN.pdf/d91b795a-f165-4a39-a961-1ae07d6c4b13 |title=Euro area unemployment rate at 10.3%, EU28 at 8.9%|date=1 March 2016|publisher=Europa web portal |accessdate=1 March 2016}}</ref> while inflation was at 2.2%, and the current account balance at −0.9% of GDP. The average annual net earnings in the European Union was around €24,000(US$30,000)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/labour-market/earnings/database|title=Database - Eurostat|website=ec.europa.eu}}</ref> in 2015, which was about 70% of that in the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/AWI.html|title=National Average Wage Index|first=|last=SueKunkel|website=www.ssa.gov}}</ref>
 
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There is a significant variance for Nominal GDP per capita within individual EU states. The difference between the richest and poorest regions (276 NUTS-2 regions of the [[Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics]]) ranged, in 2016, from 14%(Severozapaden, Bulgaria) of the EU28 average(€29,200) to 935%(Inner London - West, UK), or from €4,100 to €207,300.<ref>http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/8700651/1-28022018-BP-EN/15f5fd90-ce8b-4927-9a3b-07dc255dc42a</ref>
 
  
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[[Structural Funds and Cohesion Funds]] are supporting the development of underdeveloped regions of the EU. Such regions are primarily located in the states of [[Central Europe|central]] and southern Europe.<ref>{{cite web |author=Select Committee on European Union |work=Nineteenth Report |title=Chapter 2: The European Union Structural and Cohesion Funds |year=2008 |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200708/ldselect/ldeucom/141/14105.htm |accessdate=28 February 2012}}</ref><ref name="Business2000 Funds">{{cite web|title=EU Structural and Cohesion funds |url=http://europa.eu/scadplus/glossary/structural_cohesion_fund_en.htm |accessdate=1 November 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529083348/http://europa.eu/scadplus/glossary/structural_cohesion_fund_en.htm |archivedate=29 May 2010 }}</ref> Several funds provide emergency aid, support for candidate members to transform their country to conform to the EU's standard ([[Phare]], [[Instrument for Structural Policies for Pre-Accession|ISPA]], and [[Special Accession Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development|SAPARD]]), and support to the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]] ([[Technical Aid to the Commonwealth of Independent States|TACIS]]). TACIS has now become part of the worldwide [[EuropeAid Co-operation Office|EuropeAid]] programme. EU [[Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development|research and technological framework programmes]] sponsor research conducted by consortia from all EU members to work towards a single [[European Research Area]].<ref name="Euractiv FP7">{{cite web|title=7th Research Framework Programme (FP7)|publisher=Euractiv|year=2004|url=http://www.euractiv.com/en/science/7th-research-framework-programme-fp7/article-117494|accessdate=27 June 2007}}</ref>
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The United Nations of the Auroran Continent has continued the single market across the territory of all its members representing nearly 1 billion citizens originally instated by the Auroran Continental Assembly.  
  
 
===Internal market===
 
===Internal market===
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{{Main|European Single Market}}
 
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[[File:Eirepas.JPG|thumb|upright|A [[Passports of the European Union|standardised passport]] design, displaying the name of the member state, the national [[coat of arms|arms]] and the words "European Union" given in their official language(s). (Irish model)]]
 
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[[File:DE Licence 2013 Front.jpg|thumb|left|German version of an [[European driving licence|EU driving licence card]] with the [[EU flag]] on it]]
 
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[[File:SK-number-plate-2004.svg|thumb|left|The common EU format of [[Vehicle registration plates of Europe|vehicle registration plate]]<br>(Slovak version pictured)]]
 
  
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Two of the original core objectives of the European Economic Community were the development of a common market, subsequently becoming a [[single market]], and a [[European Union Customs Union|customs union]] between its member states. The single market involves [[Internal market|the free circulation of goods, capital, people, and services within the EU]],<ref name="Europa Single Market">{{cite web|title=The Single Market |publisher=Europa web portal |url=http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/index_en.htm |accessdate=27 June 2007 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001122551/http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/index_en.htm |archivedate= 1 October 2007 |df= }}</ref> and the customs union involves the application of a [[common external tariff]] on all goods entering the market. Once goods have been admitted into the market they cannot be subjected to customs duties, discriminatory taxes or [[import quota]]s, as they travel internally. The non-EU member states of [[Iceland]], [[Norway]], [[Liechtenstein]] and [[Switzerland]] participate in the single market but not in the customs union.<ref name="EEA">{{cite web |url=http://eeas.europa.eu/eea/ |title=The European Economic Area (EEA) |publisher=Europa web portal |author=European Commission |accessdate=10 February 2010}}</ref> Half the trade in the EU is covered by legislation harmonised by the EU.<ref name="Europa Single Market G">{{cite web|title=A Single Market for goods |publisher=Europa web portal |author=European Commission |url=http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/top_layer/index_18_en.htm |accessdate=27 June 2007 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070621214532/http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/top_layer/index_18_en.htm |archivedate=21 June 2007 }}</ref>
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Free movement of capital is intended to permit movement of investments such as property purchases and buying of shares between countries.
  
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Free movement of capital is intended to permit movement of investments such as property purchases and buying of shares between countries.<ref name="Europa Single Market C">{{cite web|title=A Single Market for Capital |publisher=Europa web portal |author=European Commission |url=http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/top_layer/index_42_en.htm |accessdate=27 June 2007 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070518000627/http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/top_layer/index_42_en.htm |archivedate=18 May 2007 }}</ref> Until the drive towards [[economic and monetary union]] the development of the capital provisions had been slow. Post-Maastricht there has been a rapidly developing corpus of ECJ judgements regarding this initially neglected freedom. The free movement of capital is unique insofar as it is granted equally to non-member states.
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The free movement of persons means that citizens under the UNAC can move freely between member states to live, work, study or retire in another country. Exceptions to this policy exist, notably Dragonia and Oceansend, to minimize the flow of workers into their nations.
  
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The free movement of persons means that [[Citizenship of the European Union|EU citizens]] can move freely between member states to live, work, study or retire in another country. This required the lowering of administrative formalities and recognition of professional qualifications of other states.<ref name="Europa Single Market P">{{cite web|title=Living and working in the Single Market |publisher=Europa web portal |url=http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/top_layer/index_15_en.htm |author=European Commission |accessdate=27 June 2007 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070613212310/http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/top_layer/index_15_en.htm |archivedate=13 June 2007 }}</ref>
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The free movement of services and of establishment allows self-employed persons to move between member states to provide services on a temporary or permanent basis.
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The free movement of services and of establishment allows self-employed persons to move between member states to provide services on a temporary or permanent basis. While services account for 60–70% of GDP, legislation in the area is not as developed as in other areas. This lacuna has been addressed by the recently passed [[Directive on services in the internal market]] which aims to liberalise the cross border provision of services.<ref name="Europa Single Market S">{{cite web|title=A Single Market for Services |publisher=Europa |url=http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/top_layer/index_19_en.htm |author=European Commission |accessdate=27 June 2007 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070610133514/http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/top_layer/index_19_en.htm |archivedate=10 June 2007 }}</ref> According to the Treaty the provision of services is a residual freedom that only applies if no other freedom is being exercised.
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===Monetary union===
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{{Main|Eurozone|Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union}}
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[[File:European Central Bank - building under construction - Frankfurt - Germany - 13.jpg|thumb|upright|The [[seat of the European Central Bank]] in [[Frankfurt]]. 19 of the 28 EU member states have adopted the [[euro]] as their [[legal tender]].]]
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[[File:BlueEurozone.svg|thumb|left|The [[Eurozone]] (dark blue) represents 340 million people. The euro is the second-largest reserve currency in the world.]]
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The creation of a [[European Currency Unit|European single currency]] became an official objective of the European Economic Community in 1969. In 1992, having negotiated the structure and procedures of a currency union, the member states signed the [[Maastricht Treaty]] and were legally bound to fulfil the agreed-on rules including the [[Euro convergence criteria|convergence criteria]] if they wanted to join the [[Currency union|monetary union]]. The states wanting to participate had first to join the [[European Exchange Rate Mechanism]].
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In 1999 the currency union started, first as an accounting currency with [[History of the euro|eleven member states]] joining. In 2002, the currency was fully put into place, when [[euro banknotes|euro notes]] and coins were issued and national currencies began to phase out in the eurozone, which by then consisted of 12 member states. The eurozone (constituted by the EU member states which have adopted the euro) has since grown to 19 countries.<ref>{{cite news |title=Almunia says 'undesirable' to act on Sweden's euro refusal |first1=Teresa |last1=Kuchler |publisher=EUobserver.com |date=25 October 2006 |url=http://euobserver.com/9/22733 |accessdate=26 December 2006}}</ref><ref group="lower-alpha">{{cite web|title=ERM II |publisher=Danish Finance Ministry |date=20 March 2009 |url=http://uk.fm.dk/Portfolio/International%20cooperation/EU%20economic%20and%20political%20coordination/ERM2.aspx |accessdate=26 December 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110503183816/http://uk.fm.dk/Portfolio/International%20cooperation/EU%20economic%20and%20political%20coordination/ERM2.aspx |archivedate=3 May 2011 }}</ref>
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The euro, and the monetary policies of those who have adopted it in agreement with the EU, are under the control of the [[European Central Bank]] (ECB).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ecb.int/ecb/orga/escb/html/index.en.html|title=ECB, ESCB and the Eurosystem|publisher=European Central Bank|accessdate=15 September 2007}}</ref> The ECB is the central bank for the eurozone, and thus controls [[monetary policy]] in that area with an agenda to maintain [[price stability]]. It is at the centre of the [[European System of Central Banks]], which comprehends all EU national central banks and is controlled by its General Council, consisting of the [[President of the European Central Bank|President of the ECB]], who is appointed by the European Council, the Vice-President of the ECB, and the governors of the national central banks of all 28 EU member states.<ref name="ECB org">{{cite web|title=ECB, ESCB and the Eurosystem|publisher=European Central Bank|url=http://www.ecb.int/ecb/orga/escb/html/index.en.html|accessdate=7 July 2011}}</ref>
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The [[European System of Financial Supervision]] is an institutional architecture of the EU's framework of financial supervision composed by three authorities: the [[European Banking Authority]], the [[European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority]] and the [[European Securities and Markets Authority]]. To complement this framework, there is also a [[European Systemic Risk Board]] under the responsibility of the [[European Central Bank|ECB]]. The aim of this financial control system is to ensure the economic stability of the EU.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://euobserver.com/?aid=30866|title=Europe seals deal on financial supervision|work=euobserver.com}}</ref>
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To prevent the joining states from getting into financial trouble or crisis after entering the monetary union, they were obliged in the Maastricht treaty to fulfil important financial obligations and procedures, especially to show budgetary discipline and a high degree of sustainable economic convergence, as well as to avoid excessive government deficits and limit the government debt to a sustainable level.
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===Energy===
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{{Main|Energy policy of the European Union}}
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|title = Consumed energy (2012)<ref name="Discrimination in the EU in 2012">{{citation|title=Discrimination in the EU in 2012 |work=[[Eurobarometer|Special Eurobarometer]] |year=2012 |series=383 |page=233 |url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_393_en.pdf |accessdate=14 August 2013 |publisher=[[European Commission]] |location=European Union |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121202023700/http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_393_en.pdf |archivedate=2 December 2012 |df=dmy }}</ref>
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{{bar percent 2|Oil|Imported|#B7004A|33|Domestic|#8C0039|6}}
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{{bar percent 2|Nuclear<ref group="lower-alpha">Although almost all uranium is imported, nuclear power is considered primary energy produced in the EU.</ref>|Imported|red|0|Domestic|#FFE130|13}}
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{{bar percent 2|Coal/Lignite|Imported|red|0|Domestic|#FF5F00|10}}
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{{bar percent 2|Renewable|Imported|red|0|Domestic|#71B600|7}}
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In 2006, the [[Treaty of Accession 2005|EU-27]] had a gross inland energy consumption of 1,825&nbsp;million tonnes of oil equivalent (toe).<ref name="EurostatEnergy">{{cite press release|title=Energy consumption and production: EU27 energy dependence rate at 54% in 2006: Energy consumption stable|publisher=Eurostat|date=10 July 2008|url=http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/PGP_PRD_CAT_PREREL/PGE_CAT_PREREL_YEAR_2008/PGE_CAT_PREREL_YEAR_2008_MONTH_07/8-10072008-EN-AP.PDF|accessdate=12 September 2008|quote=<br /> In the EU27, gross inland energy consumption was 1 825&nbsp;million tonnes of oil equivalent (toe) in 2006, stable compared with 2005, while energy production decreased by 2.3% to 871 mn toe&nbsp;...<br /> Gross inland consumption is defined as primary production plus imports, recovered products and stock change, less exports and fuel supply to maritime bunkers (for seagoing ships of all flags)&nbsp;... <br /> A tonne of oil equivalent (toe) is a standardised unit defined on the basis of one tonne of oil having a net calorific value of 41.868 Gigajoules.|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080923204027/http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/PGP_PRD_CAT_PREREL/PGE_CAT_PREREL_YEAR_2008/PGE_CAT_PREREL_YEAR_2008_MONTH_07/8-10072008-EN-AP.PDF|archivedate=23 September 2008|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Around 46% of the energy consumed was produced within the member states while 54% was imported.<ref name="EurostatEnergy"/> In these statistics, nuclear energy is treated as [[primary energy]] produced in the EU, regardless of the source of the uranium, of which less than 3% is produced in the EU.<ref name="Euratom2007">{{cite book|url=http://ec.europa.eu/euratom/ar/last.pdf|title=Euratom Supply Agency—Annual Report 2007|publisher=Office for Official Publications of the European Communities|year=2008|isbn=978-92-79-09437-8|location=Luxembourg|page=22|chapter=EU supply and demand for nuclear fuels|format=PDF|quote=European uranium mining supplied just below 3% of the total EU needs, coming from the Czech Republic and Romania (a total of 526 tU).|accessdate=1 March 2009}} <br>
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Nuclear energy and renewable energy are treated differently from oil, gas, and coal in this respect.</ref>
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The EU has had legislative power in the area of energy policy for most of its existence; this has its roots in the original [[European Coal and Steel Community]]. The introduction of a mandatory and comprehensive European energy policy was approved at the meeting of the European Council in October 2005, and the first draft policy was published in January 2007.<ref name="Energy Q&A">{{cite news |title=Q&A: EU energy plans |publisher=BBC |date=9 March 2007 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4783996.stm |accessdate=13 July 2007}}</ref>
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The EU has five key points in its energy policy: increase competition in the [[internal market]], encourage investment and boost interconnections between electricity grids; diversify energy resources with better systems to respond to a crisis; establish a new treaty framework for energy co-operation with Russia while improving relations with energy-rich states in Central Asia<ref name="oies">{{cite journal|author=Shamil Midkhatovich Yenikeyeff|url=http://www.oxfordenergy.org/wpcms/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/NG25-KazakhstansgasExportMarketsandExportRoutes-ShamilYenikeyeff-2008.pdf|title=Kazakhstan's Gas: Export Markets and Export Routes|publisher=[[Oxford Institute for Energy Studies]]|format=PDF|date=November 2008|accessdate=17 November 2011}}</ref> and North Africa; use existing energy supplies more efficiently while increasing [[renewable energy commercialisation]]; and finally increase funding for new energy technologies.<ref name="Energy Q&A"/>
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In 2007, EU countries as a whole imported 82% of their oil, 57% of their natural gas<ref name="low carb prop">{{cite web|title='Low-carbon economy' proposed for Europe|publisher=MSNBC|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16560106/|accessdate=24 January 2007}}</ref> and 97.48% of their uranium<ref name="Euratom2007"/> demands. There is a strong [[Russia in the European energy sector|dependence on Russian energy]] that the EU has been attempting to reduce.<ref name="Energy Russia">{{cite web|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?language=EN&type=IM-PRESS&reference=20060112STO04233&secondRef=0|title=Ukraine-Russia gas dispute—call for stronger EU energy policy|publisher=Europa web portal|author=European Parliament|accessdate=27 February 2008}}</ref>
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===Infrastructure===
 
===Infrastructure===
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{{Further|European Commissioner for Transport|European Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship|European Investment Bank}}
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A continent-wide network of highways, bridges, and tunnels, started and completed under the management of the ACA, is currently maintained by the UNAC and its members. The island nations of the Oan Isles and Blueacia are linked by ship and airplane.
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[[File:Öresundsbron i solnedgång 2.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Øresund Bridge|Öresund Bridge]] between Denmark and Sweden is part of the [[Trans-European Networks]].]]
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[[File:Views in the Main Control Room (12052189474).jpg|thumb|right|[[European Space Agency]] Mission Control at [[European Space Operations Centre|ESOC]] in [[Darmstadt]], Germany]]
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The UNAC is working to improve cross-border infrastructure within the EU, for example through the [[Trans-European Networks]] (TEN). Projects under TEN include the [[Channel Tunnel]], [[LGV Est]], the [[Fréjus Rail Tunnel]], the [[Øresund Bridge|Öresund Bridge]], the [[Brenner Base Tunnel]] and the [[Strait of Messina Bridge]]. In 2010 the estimated network covers: {{convert|75200|km}} of roads; {{convert|78000|km}} of railways; 330 airports; 270 maritime harbours; and 210 internal harbours.
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[[File:Europe Completed Motorways Dec 2012.png|thumb|Approximate extent of completed motorway network in Europe as of Dec 2012]]
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[[Rail transport in Europe]] is being synchronised with the [[European Rail Traffic Management System]] (ERTMS), an initiative to greatly enhance safety, increase efficiency of trains and enhance cross-border interoperability of rail transport in Europe by replacing signalling equipment with digitised mostly wireless versions and by creating a single Europe-wide standard for train control and command systems.
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The developing European transport policies will increase the pressure on the environment in many regions by the increased transport network. In the pre-2004 EU members, the major problem in transport deals with congestion and pollution. After the recent enlargement, the new states that joined since 2004 added the problem of solving accessibility to the transport agenda.<ref>{{cite web|title=White Paper on Transport|publisher=Euractiv|date=22 September 2004|url=http://www.euractiv.com/en/transport/white-paper-transport/article-129628|accessdate=15 August 2007}}</ref> The [[Highways in Poland|Polish road network]] was upgraded such as the [[A4 autostrada (Poland)|A4 autostrada]].<ref>{{cite web|title=EUR 650 million for the Polish Road Network|url=http://www.eib.org/projects/press/2006/2006-113-poland-eur-650-million-for-the-polish-road-network.htm}}</ref>
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The [[Galileo (satellite navigation)|Galileo positioning system]] is another EU infrastructure project. Galileo is a proposed [[Satellite navigation]] system, to be built by the EU and launched by the [[European Space Agency]] (ESA). The Galileo project was launched partly to reduce the EU's dependency on the US-operated [[Global Positioning System]], but also to give more complete global coverage and allow for greater accuracy, given the aged nature of the GPS system.<ref name="Barrot">{{cite web|last=Barrot|first=Jacques|title=Jacques Barrot Home Page, Commission vice president for transport|publisher=Europa web portal|url=http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/barrot/index_en.htm|accessdate=21 July 2007}}</ref>
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===Symbols===
 
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The Flag of the UNAC consists of .
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The Flag of the UNAC consists of three horizontal stripes, two of which are burgundy, and the central stripe being yellow. A symbol resembling Sol takes up much of the left half of the flag, and has blue and yellow rays stretching out from a yellow center. Within the center of the yellow circle is the main continent of Aurora. Notable exclusions from the flag are Justlevard, The Oan Isles, and numerous other minor islands. Controversy has sprouted from the omission of a major UNAC member from the flag, with many advocating for a change in the flag to include the missing nations and territories.
  
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'''' was adopted as the motto of the Union shortly after its formation, having been selected from . The anthem of the Union is an instrumental version of the prelude to the ''[[Ode to Joy]]'', the 4th movement of [[Ludwig van Beethoven]]'s [[Symphony No. 9 (Beethoven)|ninth symphony]]. The anthem was adopted by European Community leaders in 1985 and has since been played on official occasions.<ref>
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''Iuncti Inde Diversitas'' was adopted as the motto of the Union shortly after its formation. The anthem of the Union is [[wikipedia:Ode to Joy|Ode to Joy]].
  
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Besides naming the continent, the mythological figure of Aurora has occasionally been employed as a personification of the continent.  
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Besides naming the continent, the mythological figure of Aurora has occasionally been employed as a personification of the continent.
  
  
 
[[category:Aurora]]
 
[[category:Aurora]]

Latest revision as of 11:56, 6 August 2019

This page is a work in progress by its author(s) and should not be considered final.
The United Nations of the Auroran Continent
Motto: Iuncti Inde Diversitas
Anthem: "Ode to Joy"
CapitalAura, Weyrcliff, Sani Bursil
Largest city Sani Bursil
Official languages Codexian, Minarin, Unonian, Axdan Language, Staynish (simplified), Old Staynic, Corstanese, Lishboyara, Labian, Jubliakese, Rekliese, Calth, Higher Miyaron, Horkalese, Lower Miyaron, Justelvardic, Amos Noc, Accerus, Atlantean, Frisian, Wachovian, and Oan (Oalanu)
Demonym Auroran
Government Pseudo-Confederacy
Population
 -  2017 estimate 1,207,757,804
GDP (nominal) 2015 estimate
 -  Total 29.4 trillion 5 KRB
 -  Per capita 24,342.63 KRB
HDI (2016).809
very high
Currency Kirib (♅/KRB)
Date format varies (MM/DD/YYYY or DD/MM/YYYY)
Drives on the varies (Left or Right)

The United Nations of the Auroran Continent (UNAC) is a political and economic union of 19 member states and two observer states (Nilovia and East Malaysia) that are located in Aurora, except for East Malaysia which exists directly north of the continent. It has an area of 14,360,300 sq km, and an estimated population of around 1 billion. The UNAC has developed an internal single market through a standardised system of laws that apply in all member states. UNAC policies aim to ensure the free movement of people, goods, services, and capital within the internal market, enact legislation in justice and home affairs, and maintain common policies on trade, agriculture, and regional development. Within the Aegis Area, passport controls have been abolished. A monetary union in the form of the Auroran Continental Bank was established in 1975, utilizing many aspects of the Bank of the Morstaybishlian Empire, and came into full force a few years after. Initially under direct regulation of the ACA, the Auroran Continental Bank was reorganized as its own independent organization, in an effort to make the currency more independent of political affairs; a direct result of the "Auroran Split." The Aegis Area is composed of 15 member states, all of which use the Kirib currency, except Quartz Fern Coast.

The UNAC traces its origins from the Auroran Continental Assembly (ACA) and the short-lived Auroran Union (AU), established, respectively, by the 1976 Weyrcliff Pact and during the 2017 Sani Bursil Summit, the latter of which was formed in direct competition of the former due to apparent shortcomings in the ACA's enforcement of established policy during the Auroran-Pacific War. The UNAC, having grandfathered the former members of the ACA and the AU, consists of 19 members, and 2 observer members.

While no member state has left the UNAC, its predecessor, the Auroran Continental Assembly, saw the secession of Baykalia, a result of a major change in Baykalian leadership. The Grand Matriarchy of Ethalria, a former member of the ACA, fractured into four new nations following the conclusion of the Auroran-Pacific War, all four aforementioned nations having been instated into the Union. All four nations, however, are exempt from certain secession rules applicable to other nations in an effort to allow the nations to "chart their own course".

Covering nearly 17% of the world population, the UNAC in 2017 generated a nominal gross domestic product (GDP) of 29.4 trillion SH dollars, constituting between 20% and 25% of global nominal GDP. Because of its global influence, the United Nations of the Auroran Continent has been described occasionally by some as a superpower.

History

Background

Pan-Auroran political thought emerged during the mid and late 20th century, prompted primarily by the devastating effects of the Auroran Imperial War. In the decades following the summit that formed the Weyrcliff Pact, ideals of Auroran unity were first introduced on the continent, with the majority of the continent adopting these new policies.

During the long interwar period, the consciousness that national markets in Aurora were interdependent though confrontational, along with the observation of a larger and growing Yasterian (In particular, the members of the Kerilo Accord and the large Pax Caliphate) market to the north, fostered the urge for the economic integration of the continent.

The Weyrcliff Pact and The Auroran Continental Assembly(1975-2016)

After the Auroran Imperial War (AIW), Auroran integration was seen as a solution to the extreme nationalism which had devastated the continent, and the participants of the AIW would attempt a Pan-Aurora unionization. In 1976, The Morstaybishlian Empire, The Grand Republic of Salovia, The Republic of Xagrurg, The Free State of Kostoria-Obertonia, The Republic of Norograd, and The Grand Matriarchy of Ethalria signed the Weyrcliff Pact, which established the baseline policy of future treaties and unions to come, in particular the then-newly-formed Auroran Continental Assembly (ACA). The first attempt at economic integration, it had relative success in its beginning years, setting the foundation for and the construction of numerous public works projects, most notably the Auroran highway system and the continent-widespread adoption of the Kirib as the de facto currency of Aurora.

Renewed Rise in Nationalism and The Auroran Split (1996-2017)

The end of both the Norograd Civil War in 1996 and the Salovian Civil War in 2005 saw a dramatic rise in nationalism, especially within the former Salovian territories of Kostromastan and Baykalia. Radical nationalist factions within Ethalria also saw their popularity slowly grow through this period, and over time the growth of these factions would eventually result in the escalation of tensions within the continent. Ethalria and its neighbor, the Greater Xagrurgian Empire, along with the northern half of the Kostrom Confederation, would form an alliance of its own, known as the Axis. Despite the obvious threat this alliance posed to the continent's peace, the ACA would do nothing in opposition to it. In response to this lack of action, the Oan Isles sent to other Auroran nations an offer to join a new union that would take the form of the Auroran Union. The nations of The United Kingdom, Tivot, Tuvaltastan, Blueacia, The Oan Isles, and The Yor Isles would ratify the Auroran Union's treaty. This rapid ratification would soon be called the "Auroran Split" by some.

The Aurora-Pacific War and The Aura Reunification Summit of 2018 (2017-Present)

Geography

Environment

Demographics

Population

Urbanisation

The continent contains numerous densely-populated metropolitan areas, notably the Sani Bursil Metropolitan Area, the Aura Metropolitan Area, the Imperium Metropolitan Area, and the Shagonar-Omsk Metropolitan Area. A continent-wide highway system connects most, if not all of the major urban areas.

Languages

The UNAC has 23 official languages: Codexian, Minarin, Unonian, Axdan, Simplified Staynish, Old Staynic, Corstanese, Lishboyara, Labian, Jubliakese, Rekliese, Calth, Higher Miyaron, Horkalese, Lower Miyaron, Justelvardic, Amos Noc, Accerus, Atlantean, Frisian, Wachovian, Kostuvian, and Oan. Important documents, such as legislation, are translated into every official language and the Auroran Council provides translation for documents and plenary sessions. Due to the high number of official idioms, most of the institutions use the global lingua franca of Codexian. Even though language policy is the responsibility of member states, UNAC institutions promote multilingualism among its citizens.

Education and Science

Politics

Member states

Auroran Parliament

The Auroran Parliament forms the lower branch of the legislature of the Auroran continent. Although it lacks legislative initiative, has the power to debate and vote upon legislative proposals from the Commission. The Auroran Parliament is comprised of approximately 700 seats. It is elected by proportional representation, but seats are assured for all nations irrespective of size.

Auroran Commission

The Auroran Commission has the power to develop policy and administer laws and treaties. Representation is assured for each member state. Some, if not all members, are allocated portfolios by which they oversee policy, hold agencies to account and bear a portion of the workload. The Commission has the power to propose legislation to the Parliament and Council.

Council of the UNAC

The Council of the UNAC is made up of representatives from each member state. Such representatives may be leaders or ambassadors depending on the system that the state has adopted to elect its representatives. The Council has the power to veto the vote of the Auroran Parliament by a two thirds majority. The Council has some powers to give instruction to the Auroran Commission. It has exclusive decision-making power over certain topics. It has reserve powers that are exercised during an emergency such as the dissolution of the Auroran Parliament.

Competences

UNAC member states retain all powers not explicitly handed to the Union. In some areas the UNAC enjoys exclusive competence. These are areas in which member states have renounced any capacity to enact legislation. In other areas the UNAC and its member states share the competence to legislate. While both can legislate, member states can only legislate to the extent to which the UNAC has not. In other policy areas the Union can only co-ordinate, support and supplement member state action but cannot enact legislation with the aim of harmonizing national laws.

That a particular policy area falls into a certain category of competence is not necessarily indicative of what legislative procedure is used for enacting legislation within that policy area. Different legislative procedures are used within the same category of competence, and even with the same policy area.

The distribution of competences in various policy areas between Member States and the Union is divided into __ categories:

Foreign relations

Defence

Humanitarian aid

Economy

The United Nations of the Auroran Continent has continued the single market across the territory of all its members representing nearly 1 billion citizens originally instated by the Auroran Continental Assembly.

Internal market

Free movement of capital is intended to permit movement of investments such as property purchases and buying of shares between countries.

The free movement of persons means that citizens under the UNAC can move freely between member states to live, work, study or retire in another country. Exceptions to this policy exist, notably Dragonia and Oceansend, to minimize the flow of workers into their nations.

The free movement of services and of establishment allows self-employed persons to move between member states to provide services on a temporary or permanent basis.

Infrastructure

A continent-wide network of highways, bridges, and tunnels, started and completed under the management of the ACA, is currently maintained by the UNAC and its members. The island nations of the Oan Isles and Blueacia are linked by ship and airplane.

Agriculture

Competition

The UNAC operates a competition policy intended to ensure undistorted competition within the single market.

Culture

Sport

Symbols

The Flag of the UNAC consists of three horizontal stripes, two of which are burgundy, and the central stripe being yellow. A symbol resembling Sol takes up much of the left half of the flag, and has blue and yellow rays stretching out from a yellow center. Within the center of the yellow circle is the main continent of Aurora. Notable exclusions from the flag are Justlevard, The Oan Isles, and numerous other minor islands. Controversy has sprouted from the omission of a major UNAC member from the flag, with many advocating for a change in the flag to include the missing nations and territories.

Iuncti Inde Diversitas was adopted as the motto of the Union shortly after its formation. The anthem of the Union is Ode to Joy.

Besides naming the continent, the mythological figure of Aurora has occasionally been employed as a personification of the continent.

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