The European Union

Introduction

The European Union (EU) is a geopolitical entity that cover much of Europe. It is a single economic policy in the world association, made up of 27 countries. From the 60, Brussels has become the EU capital, where most of the Community institutions and is home to most officials and managers. The EU has a single currency, a flag, an anthem and Europe Day, celebrated every May 9th.

In 1951, at the European Coal and Steel Community, which were key elements for the war, the six founder members was established: Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, they began an economic project , political and social changes have generated peace, stability and prosperity for over half a century.

The EU has helped to raise the standard of living of Europeans, has created a single currency and is now progressively building a single market in which people, goods, services and capital (the four fundamental freedoms of the EU) moved between Member States with the same freedom as if they did within the same country. What started as a purely economic union has evolved into an active organization on all fronts, from development assistance to environmental policy.

The EU actively promotes human rights and democracy, and has goals more ambitious emissions reduction of the world to combat climate change. With the abolition of border controls between EU countries, you can now travel freely throughout most of its territory. It is also much easier to live and work in another EU country.

Following several enlargements, the EU has grown from six to twenty-seven member states (28 in 2013 with the entry of Croatia) and there are several candidates for membership (Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey, FYROM, Iceland) countries. Each treaty by which a new member is admitted requires the unanimous approval of all member states. The European Union is open to any European country that fulfills the democratic, political and economic criteria for membership, called the Copenhagen criteria.

In short, we can say that the mission of Europe in the XXI century: offering peace, prosperity and stability to its citizens; overcome the divisions on the continent; ensure that their citizens can live in safety; promote balanced and sustainable economic and social development; to face the challenges of globalization and preserve the diversity of the peoples of Europe; uphold the values ​​that Europeans share, such as sustainable development and environmental protection, respect for human rights and the social market economy and gain international visibility and habar with one voice on major international forums and organizations.

Speaking specifically of Turkey, we can say that this country has taken advantage of a customs union with the EU, signed in 1995, to increase its industrial production destined for exports, while at the same time benefiting from foreign originating investments UE.71 In 2005, exports amounted to 73 500 million dollars while imports stood at 116 800 million, an increase of 16.3% and 19.7% compared to 2004, respectively.72 To 2006, exports amounted to 85 800 million, representing an increase of 16.8% compared to 2005.73 In 2007, exports amounted to 110,500 million (principal partners: Germany 11.2% United Kingdom 8 %, Italy 6.95%, France 5.6% Spain 4.3%. Total exports to the EU 56.5%) 67 However, imports amounting to about 156 900 million put dólares67 upset the balance of trade (main partners: Russia 13.8%; Germany 10.3%; China 7.8%; Italy 6%; total EU imports 40.4%; Total Asia imports 27%).