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PIECE OF SHIT! =)
{{redirect|EU}}
{{Infobox Geopolitical organisation
|native_name = <div class="NavFrame" style="border-style:none;padding:0;">
<div class="NavHead" style="font-size:1.1em; background:#f9f9f9;text-align:center;">
European Union</div><div class="NavContent" style="display:none; line-height: 0.8em;">
<center>{{bg icon}} {{lang|bg|''Европейски съюз''}}</center><br /><center>{{cs icon}} {{lang|cs|''Evropská unie''}}</center><br /><center>{{da icon}} {{lang|da|''Den Europæiske Union''}}</center><br /><center>{{nl icon}} {{lang|nl|''Europese Unie''}}</center><br /><center>{{et icon}} {{lang|et|''Euroopa Liit''}}</center><br /><center>{{fi icon}} {{lang|fi|''Euroopan unioni''}}</center><br /><center>{{fr icon}} {{lang|fr|''Union européenne''}}</center><br /><center>{{de icon}} {{lang|de|''Europäische Union''}}</center><br /><center>{{el icon}} {{lang|el|''Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση''}}</center><br /><center>{{hu icon}} {{lang|hu|''Európai Unió''}}</center><br /><center>{{ga icon}} {{lang|{ga|''An tAontas Eorpach''}}</center><br /><center>{{it icon}} {{lang|it|''Unione Europea''}}</center><br /><center>{{lv icon}} {{lang|lv|''Eiropas Savienība''}}</center><br /><center>{{lt icon}} {{lang|lt|''Europos Sąjunga''}}</center><br /><center>{{mt icon}} {{lang|mt|''L-Unjoni Ewropea''}}</center><br /><center>{{pl icon}} {{lang|pl|''Unia Europejska''}}</center><br /><center>{{pt icon}} {{lang|pt|''União Europeia''}}</center><br /><center>{{ro icon}} {{lang|ro|''Uniunea Europeană''}}</center><br /><center>{{sk icon}} {{lang|sk|''Európska únia''}}</center><br /><center>{{sl icon}} {{lang|sl|''Evropska unija''}}</center><br /><center>{{es icon}} {{lang|es|''Unión Europea''}}</center><br /><center>{{sv icon}} {{lang|sv|''Europeiska unionen''}}</center>
</div></div>
|linking_name = the European Union
|image_flag = Flag of Europe.svg
|image_coat = Portuguese European Union presidency 2007.svg
|symbol_type = Presidency insignia
|motto = {{lang|la|'']''}}{{spaces|2}}<small>(])<br />"United in diversity"</small>
|anthem = '']''{{spaces|2}}<small>(orchestral)</small>
|image_map = Location European Union.svg
|map_caption =
|admin_center_type = ]
|admin_center = ]
|latd=50 |latm=54 |latNS=N |longd=4 |longm=32 |longEW=E
|largest_metropolitan_area = ]
|languages_type = ]s
|languages = <div class="NavFrame" style="border-style:none;padding:0;">
<div class="NavHead" style="background:#f9f9f9; text-align:left;">
]</div><div class="NavContent" style="display:none; line-height: 1em; ; text-align:left;">]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]</div></div>
|membership_type = ]
|membership = <div class="NavFrame" style="border-style:none;padding:0;">
<div class="NavHead" style="background:#f9f9f9; text-align:left;">
]</div><div class="NavContent" style="display:none; line-height: 1em; ; text-align:left;">]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]</div></div>
|ethnic_groups =
|ethnic_groups_year =
|denonym = European
|government_type = {{nowrap|] ]}}
|leader_title1 = ]
|leader_name1 = ] ]
|leader_title2 = ]
|leader_name2 = ] ]
|leader_title3 = ]
|leader_name3 = ]
|leader_title4 = ]
|leader_name4 = ]
|sovereignty_type = ]
|sovereignty_note =
|established_event1 = ]
|established_date1 = ] ]
|established_event2 = ]
|established_date2 = ] ]
|area_rank = 7th<sup>1</sup>
|area_magnitude = 1 E11
|area = 4,324,782
|areami² = 1,669,807 <!--Do not remove per ]-->
|percent_water = 3,08
|population_estimate = 494,070,000
|population_estimate_rank = 3rd<sup>1</sup>
|population_estimate_year = 2007
|population_census =
|population_census_year =
|population_density = 114<!--494,070,000 / 4,324,782 = 114 people/km2 (figures are those used in infobox on August 21st 2007 (2007 figures)-->
|population_densitymi² = 289 <!--Do not remove per ]-->
|population_density_rank = 69th<sup>1</sup>
|GDP_PPP = $14,518 billion
|GDP_PPP_rank = 1st<sup>1</sup>
|GDP_PPP_year = 2007 (])
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $28,213<!--2006 figure, anyone have 2007-->
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 14th<sup>1</sup><!--Note that ranking is corrected by taking out EU members from the list-->
|GDP_nominal = $15,849 billion
|GDP_nominal_rank = 1st<sup>1</sup>
|GDP_nominal_year = 2007 (])
|GDP_nominal_per_capita = $29,476<!--source not included in IMF below-->
|GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 13th<sup>1</sup><!--Note that ranking is corrected by taking out EU members from the list-->
|HDI =
|HDI_rank =
|HDI_year =
|HDI_category =
|currency = <div class="NavFrame" style="border-style:none;padding:0;">
<div class="NavHead" style="background:#f9f9f9; text-align:left;">
]</div><div class="NavContent" style="display:none; line-height: 1em; ; text-align:left;">] (€) <code>(])</code>&nbsp;('']'')<br />
----
]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]</div></div>
|currency_code =
|time_zone =
|utc_offset = 0 to +2
|time_zone_DST =
|DST_note =
|utc_offset_DST = +1 to +3
|cctld = ]
|calling_code =
|footnote1 = If considered as a single entity.<ref name="GDP IMF"/><!--Source of GDP information-->
}}

The '''European Union''' ('''EU''') is a '']'' ], made up of twenty-seven member states. It was established as the ] in 1957 by the ] and has undergone many changes since, most notably in 1992 by the ]. Since 1957 new ] have raised the number of ], and powers have expanded. As a result, the EU can be described as both a ] and an ] body.

The combined economy of the EU is the largest in the world with a nominal ] of €11.6 (]15.7) trillion in 2007.<ref name="GDP IMF"/> The EU has a ] between ] with a common trade policy,<ref name="Europa Internal Market">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Activities of the European Union: Internal Market|work=|publisher=]|date=|url=http://europa.eu/pol/singl/index_en.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-29}}</ref> a ]/], and a ].<ref name"Farah">{{cite web|last=Farah|first=Paolo|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Five Years of China WTO Membership. EU and US Perspectives about China's Compliance with Transparency Commitments and the Transitional Review Mechanism|work=|publisher=]|date=2006|url=http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=916768|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-01-25}}</ref> It introduced a common currency, the ], which has been adopted by thirteen member states. Since 1993, the EU has developed a limited ], and ].

Important EU institutions and bodies include the ], the ], the ], the ], the ] and the ]; as well as a number of ] working in varied fields. Citizens of EU member states are also ]. EU citizens ] the European Parliament every five years. EU citizens can freely invest, live, travel, and work in other member states (with some temporary restrictions on new member states<ref name="Restrictions on free movement">Restrictions on free movement of labour apply to the ten new members for a maximum period of seven years. They are applied in varying degrees by all old members except the Republic of Ireland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.<br />{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Free Movement of Workers|work=|publisher=]|date=2007|url=http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/free_movement/enlargement_en.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-05-27}}</ref>). Passport control and customs checks between most member states were abolished in the ].<ref name="Internal borders"> {{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Abolition of internal borders and creation of a single EU external frontier|work=|publisher=]|date=2005|url=http://ec.europa.eu/justice_home/fsj/freetravel/frontiers/fsj_freetravel_schengen_en.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-01-24}}</ref>

==History==
{{main|History of the European Union}}

After the end of the ] the political climate favoured the unification of Europe. It was seen by many as an escape from the extreme forms of nationalism which had devastated the continent.<ref>{{cite web |title=The political consequences |publisher=] |url=http://www.ena.lu/?doc=242&lang=3 |accessdate=2007-09-05}}</ref> One such attempt to unite Europeans was the ] which while having the modest aim of centralised control of the previously national coal and steel industries of the its member states was declared to be "a first step in the federation of Europe".<ref>{{cite web |title=Declaration of 9 May 1950 |url=http://europa.eu/abc/symbols/9-may/decl_en.htm |publisher=European Commission |accessdate=2007-09-05}}</ref> The founding members of the Community were ], ], ], ], ] and ].<ref name="Europa History 45-59">{{cite web |title=A peaceful Europe - the beginnings of cooperation |publisher=European Commission |url=http://europa.eu/abc/history/1945-1959/index_en.htm |accessdate=2007-06-25}}</ref>

] in 1957]]

Two additional communities were created by the ] in 1957; the ] (EEC), establishing a ] and the ] (EAEC or Euratom) for cooperation in ].<ref name="Europa History 45-59"/> The ECSC and Euratom were merged into the EEC in 1967 with the signing of the ]. They had a single membership with a combined set of treaties and institutions, and the collective was referred to as the ''European Communities'' (now, the ], within the EU).<ref name="ENA Merge">{{cite web |title=Merging the executives |publisher=] |url=http://www.ena.lu?lang=2&doc=473 |accessdate=2007-06-25}}</ref>

In 1973 the Communities enlarged to include ], ] and the ].<ref name="ENA First enlargement">{{cite web |title=The first enlargement |publisher=] |url=http://www.ena.lu?lang=2&doc=555 |accessdate=2007-06-25}}</ref> In 1979 the ] to the European Parliament were held.<ref name="ENA New Parliament">{{cite web |title=The new European Parliament |publisher=] |url=http://www.ena.lu?lang=2&doc=571 |accessdate=2007-06-25}}</ref>

]

], ] and ] joined in the 1980s.<ref name="ENA Enlargement negotiations">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Negotiations for enlargement|work=|publisher=]|date=|url=http://www.ena.lu?lang=2&doc=6525 |format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-25}}</ref> In 1985 the ] was developed among ]an states to allow for the abolition of systematic border controls between the participating countries.<ref name="Europa History 90-99">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=A Europe without frontiers|work=|publisher=]|date=|url=http://europa.eu/abc/history/1990-1999/index_en.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-25}}</ref> In the same year ] became ]. In 1986 the ] was adopted and leaders signed the ]. Upon the ] in 1990 ] joined the enlarged Germany in EU membership.<ref name="Europa History 80-89">{{cite web |title=1980-1989 The changing face of Europe - the fall of the Berlin Wall |publisher=European Commission| url=http://europa.eu/abc/history/1980-1989/index_en.htm |accessdate=2007-06-25}}</ref> With enlargement toward eastern Europe on the agenda, the ] were agreed.

The European Union was formally established when the ] came into force on ] ] and in 1995 ], ] and ] joined the newly established Union. The ] was signed in 1997, shortly after the ]. In 2002 ] notes and coins replaced national currencies in 12 of the member states. In 2004 of ten new countries (eight of which were formerly communist countries) joined the EU.<ref name="Europa History 00">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=A decade of further expansion|work=|publisher=]|date=|url=http://europa.eu/abc/history/2000_today/index_en.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-25}}</ref>

Later in 2004, the ] was signed in Rome, though it was never fully ratified after rejection by French and Dutch voters in ]s. In 2007, it was agreed to replace that proposal with a new ] that would amend rather than replace the ]. At the start of that year ] and ] joined the EU and the euro was adopted by ].<ref name="Europa History 00"/>

==Member states==
{{main|European Union member state|Enlargement of the European Union}}
{{European Union Labelled Map (blue)}}

The European Union currently has 27 member states: ], ], ], ], the ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], the ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and the ].<ref>{{cite web |title=European Countries |url=http://www.europa.eu/abc/european_countries/index_en.htm |publisher=European Commission |accessdate=2007-09-05}}</ref> There are currently three official candidate countries, ], the ] and ]. In addition the western Balkan countries of ], ], ] and ] are officially recognised as potential candidates.<ref name="Europa Enlargement">{{cite web |title=European Commission - Enlargement - Candidate and Potential Candidate Countries |publisher=] |url=http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/countries/index_en.htm |accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref>

To join the EU, a country must meet the ], defined at the 1993 ] European Council. These require a stable democracy respecting ] and the ]; a functioning market economy capable of competition within the EU and the acceptance of the obligations of membership, including EU laws. Evaluation of a country's fulfillment of the criteria rests with the ].<ref name="Accession Criteria">{{cite web |title=Accession criteria (Copenhagen criteria) |publisher=] |url=http://europa.eu/scadplus/glossary/accession_criteria_copenhague_en.htm |accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref> Enlargement has been seen as a positive force by many, for example in democratising Eastern Europe<ref name="Enlargement voice"/> and helping NATO bring people they have accused as war criminals<ref name="EUObserver ICTY">{{cite web|title=Emperors Clothes|url=http://emperors-clothes.com/yugo.htm}}</ref> in the former ] to trial.<ref name="EUObserver ICTY">{{cite web|last=Kubosova|first=Lucia|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Del Ponte: EU enlargement bringing justice to Balkans|work=|publisher=EU Observer|date=2007|url=http://euobserver.com/9/24360|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref>

===Geography===
{{main|Geography of the European Union}}
], such as this in Greece, influences 22 states]]

The territory of the EU consists of the combined territories of its 27 member states with significant exceptions outlined below. The territory of the EU is not the same as that of ], as significant parts of the continent, such as ], ] and European ], are outside the EU, and some ] are part of the EU while not being geographically part of Europe. The EU's member countries cover a combined area of {{convert|4422773|sqkm|sqmi|0|lk=on}}.<ref name="Area.and.population.figure">Figure including the four ] (], ], ], ]) which are an integral part of the EU, but excluding the ] and ], which are not part of the EU</ref> The total territory of the EU is the ]. The landscape, climate and economy of the EU are heavily influenced by its long coastline, which is {{convert|65992.9|km|mi|0|lk=on}} long. It is the second longest coastline, after ]. The combined member states of the EU share ] with 21 EU non-member states which total {{convert|12440.8|km|mi|0}}, the fifth longest border in the world.<ref name="Europa Members">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=European countries|work=|publisher=]|date=2007|url=http://europa.eu/abc/european_countries/index_en.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-29}}</ref><ref name="CIA">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=European Union|work=|publisher=]|date=2007|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ee.html|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-08-08}}</ref><ref name="Longest coasts">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Countries of the Earth|work=|publisher=home.comcast.net|date=2006|url=http://home.comcast.net/~igpl/Countries.html|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-08-08}}<!--If anyone has a more academic source, please replace this--></ref>

Some parts of member countries are not part of the EU, although they are part of the European continent. Examples include the ] and ]. Several territories associated with member states that are outside geographic Europe are also not part of the EU (such as ], ], the ] and all the non-European territories associated with the ]). On the other hand, some overseas territories are formally part of the EU even if they are not geographically part of Europe, such as the ], the ], ], ], ], ] and ].<ref name="Amsterdam">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Treaty of Amsterdam|work=|publisher=]: Official Journal|date=|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/treaties/dat/11997D/htm/11997D.html|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-29}}</ref><ref name="Consolidated Treaties">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Consolidated Treaties on European Union and establishing the European Community|work=|publisher=]|date=|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2006:321E:0001:0331:EN:pdf|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-25}}</ref><ref name="ECB where euro">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Where is the euro legal tender?|work=|publisher=]|date=2006|url=http://www.ecb.int/bc/faqbc/circulation/html/index.en.html#q2|format=PDF|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-25}}</ref>

Including overseas territories of member states, the EU includes most ] from ] to ], rendering meaningless meteorological averages for the EU as a whole. The majority of the population lives either in areas with a ] (southern Europe), a temperate ] (Western Europe), or a warm summer continental or ] climate (in eastern member states).<ref name="Humid Continental climate">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Humid Continental Climate|work=|publisher=University of Wisconsin|date=2007|url=http://www.uwsp.edu/geo/faculty/ritter/geog101/textbook/climate_systems/humid_continental.html|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-29}}</ref>

==Governance==
{{Main|Institutions of the European Union}}
] in ] is a ] chamber of the EU]]
The EU is governed by a number of institutions, primarily the ], ] and ]. The ] acts as the ]. It is currently composed of 27 commissioners, one from each member state. The commission is responsible for drafting all proposed rules in order to co-ordinate European Law. It also controls some agencies and is responsible for the day-to-day running of the EU. The president of the commission is nominated by the European Council, and confirmed by the Parliament.<ref name="Europa Institutions Commission">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Institutions: The European Commission|work=|publisher=]|date=|url=http://europa.eu/institutions/inst/comm/index_en.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-25}}</ref> The ] arm of the European Commission is the ]. Eurostat's key role is to supply statistics to the European Commission, other EU institutions and bodies to help define, implement and analyse EU's policies.

The ] (also known as the Council of Ministers) forms one half of the EU's ], the other being the Parliament. It is composed of the national ministers responsible for the area of EU law being addressed. For example, European legislation regarding agriculture would be treated by a Council composed of the national ministers for agriculture. The body's presidency rotates between the member states every six months. To increase stability the current president member state co-operates with both the previous and the next president member state.<ref name="Europa Institutions Council">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Institutions: The Council of the European Union|work=|publisher=]|date=|url=http://europa.eu/institutions/inst/council/index_en.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-25}}</ref> It should not be confused with the ], which is not an official institution (although the European Council is an important body and shares its presidency with that of the Council of the EU). It is composed of the heads of government and the ]. The European Council meets four times a year.<ref name="Europa Institutions ECouncil">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=European Council|work=|publisher=]|date=|url=http://www.consilium.europa.eu/cms3_fo/showPage.asp?id=429&lang=en|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-25}}</ref>

] hosts many institutions, such as the ] and ]]]
The other half of the legislative branch is the ] and is the only EU body composed of representatives directly elected by the citizens of the ]. Every five years citizens in all member states elect 785 ] (MEPs) who form the second half of the EU's legislative branch. Although the elections are for national candidates, the members of the parliament have seats according to political ideals rather than nationality. The chair of the parliament is elected by its members.<ref name="Europa Institutions Parliament">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Institutions: The European Parliament|work=|publisher=]|date=|url=http://europa.eu/institutions/inst/parliament/index_en.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-25}}</ref>

The Parliament is the only institution to have its official seat in the city of ]. ] plays host to the Commission, Council and some meetings of the Parliament. Hence the latter is often considered the ''de facto'' capital of the EU. However the Courts, and some meetings and departments of the other institutions, are in ].<ref name="Brussels Capital">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Brussels, Capital of Europe|work=|publisher=]|date=2001|url=http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/policy_advisers/archives/publications/docs/brussels_capital.pdf|format=PDF|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-25}}</ref><ref name="Council Edinburgh">{{cite web|last=European Council|first=|authorlink=European Council|coauthors=|title=European Council in Edinburgh: 11 - 12 December 1992, Annex 6 to Part A|work=|publisher=]|date=1992|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/summits/edinburgh/a6_en.pdf|format=PDF|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-24}}</ref>

===Judiciary and law===
{{see|European Court of Justice|Law of the European Union|Treaties of the European Union}}
] in ] is the highest authority for ]]]
The ] of the EU consists primarily of the ] composed of 27 judges, one judge being nominated by each member-state. The president is elected from the judges. The Court is the highest court on matters of ], that which is proposed by the Commission rather than national governments. Below the Court of Justice there is a lower court called the ] created to reduce the work load of the Court of Justice. There is also the ], which monitors the EU's accounts.<ref name="Europa Institutions Justice">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Institutions: Court of Justice|work=|publisher=]|date=|url=http://europa.eu/institutions/inst/justice/index_en.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-25}}</ref><ref name="Europa Institutions Auditors">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Institutions: Court of Auditors|work=|publisher=]|date=|url=http://europa.eu/institutions/inst/auditors/index_en.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-25}}</ref><ref name="Europa Institutions Commission"/>

EU law is the first and only example of a ] legal framework. The ] ruled in one of its earliest cases that EU law constitutes "a new legal order of international law".<ref name"Legal order">{{cite court|litigants=Van Gend en Loos v. Nederlanse Administratie Der Belastingen|vol=|reporter=Eur-Lex|opinion=|pinpoint=|court=European Court of Justice|date=1963|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:61962J0026:EN:HTML}}</ref> By becoming EU members, sovereign ] cede authority to the EU for the mutual social and economic benefit of their people.<ref name="Patten Sovereignty">{{cite web|last=Patten|first=Chris|authorlink=Chris Patten|coauthors=|title=Sovereignty and Democracy in the European Union|work=|publisher=Euractiv|date=2000|url=http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/news/patten/speech_00_402.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-30}}</ref> EU law follows the principle of ], which means that laws are only passed at the European level when these are more effective compared to legislation of member states themselves,<ref name="Glossary Subsidiarity">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Glossary: Subsidiarity|work=|publisher=]|date=|url=http://europa.eu/scadplus/glossary/subsidiarity_en.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-30}}</ref> while EU law is supreme in specific fields (though its supremacy may extend to other fields, such as criminal law, where this is strictly required in order to effectively pursue a primary competence).<ref name="Euractiv Supremacy">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=EU law supremacy even in criminal matters|work=|publisher=Euractiv|date=2005|url=http://www.euractiv.com/en/justice/eu-law-supremacy-criminal-matters/article-141124|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-30}}</ref>

EU law covers a broad range of topics, often as broad as the legislation of the member states.<ref name="Consolidated Treaties"/> Where a conflict arises between EU law and the law of a member state, EU law takes precedence.<ref name="Supremacy">In general, see C 6/64, ''Falminio Costa v. ENEL'' ECR 585, 593; in the UK see, 1 AC 603'']]; in Germany see ''Solange II'' (''Re Wuensche Handelsgesellschaft'', BVerfG decision of 22 Oct. 1986 3 CMLR 225,265); in Italy see ''Frontini v. Ministero delle Finanze'' 2 CMLR 372; in France see, Raoul George Nicolo 1 CMLR 173</ref><ref name="Euractiv Supremacy"/> Both the provisions of the Treaties, and EU regulations are said to have "]" horizontally. This means that private citizens can call upon the rights granted to them (and the duties created for them) by EU legislation. For instance, an air hostess could sue her employer for sexual discrimination based on legislation provided in EU treaties.<ref> Under Art. 141 ], C-43/75 ''Defrenne v. Sabena'' 1976 ECR 455</ref> The other legal instrument of the EU, called ], also may have a direct effect in limited circumstances (when a provision of a directive is clear, precise and unconditional), but only "vertically" - meaning that private persons can call upon their rights against their state, but not other persons.<ref name="EUPARL 1.2.1">{{cite web | url = http://www.europarl.europa.eu/facts_2004/1_2_1_en.htm
| title =Sources and scope of Community law | accessdate = 2007-07-05 | year = 2004 | work = European Parliament Fact Sheets | publisher = European Parliament}}</ref>

] ] proposes legislation]]

Directives allow some choice for member states in the way they translate a directive into national law. Once this has happened citizens may rely on that national law or if the national law does not reflect the EU directive, they may sue the national government ("vertically") for the failure in implementing a directive correctly, or complain to the Commission in order for it to do so.<ref name="EUPARL 1.2.1">{{cite web | url = http://www.europarl.europa.eu/facts_2004/1_2_1_en.htm | title =Sources and scope of Community law | accessdate = 2007-07-05 | year = 2004 | work = European Parliament Fact Sheets | publisher = European Parliament}}</ref><ref>This liability has been confirmed and clarified by several judgments of the ECJ.<br />{{cite web|url=http://www.jeanmonnetprogram.org/papers/99/990904.html|title=Damages in the Positive Law of the European Union|accessdate|2007-07-01|author=Ian B. Lee|year=1999|work=In Search of a Theory of State Liability in the European Union|publisher=Academy of European Law online|pages=|quote=}}</ref> An example of a directive is the ] (2001/29/EC), which harmonises the different national ] laws across the EU. In 2007, the Court of Justice ruled that the Community has powers to propose legislation for ] and the criminal penalties have started to be proposed by the Commission, albeit rarely.<ref name="Rechtennieuws Powers">{{cite web|last=Duchateau|first=Michiel|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Expanding the powers of the European Community|work=|publisher=Rechtennieuws|date=2007|url= http://rechtennieuws.nl/14414/expanding-the-powers-of-the-european-community.html|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-27}}</ref>

The EU is founded upon a number of ]. In 1951 the ] created the ECSC. This was followed in 1957 by the ] which created ] and the ] (Treaty of the European Community). The latter of these is today the core document of the ] pillar of the EU. A number of further treaties ] and ] which laid the foundations for the ] (Treaty on the European Union). Maastricht created ]. The first would be the former Community. It would be joined by the ] and ]. These were based more on ] decision making, rather than the ] system of the European Community. The ] and the ] saw a number of changes. The Parliament's power increased with the extension of ] and powers were transferred from Justice and Home Affairs to the European Community (the former now renamed ''Police and Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters''.<ref name="Europa Treaties">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=European treaties|work=|publisher=]|date=2005|url=http://europa.eu/abc/treaties/index_en.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-30}}</ref> The Proposed ] would abolish the pillar system, although the intergovernmental style in those areas will largely remain.<ref name="Euractiv PJC"/>

==Politics==
{{main|Politics of the European Union}}
], ] (Prime-Minister of ]), helps guide the direction of the EU]]

The politics of the EU primarily cover the economy, which is reminiscent of its history originating in a series of economic communities after the Second World War. When the Maastricht Treaty established the EU, the scope was expanded to the ] whereby foreign and home affairs were added to the intergovernmental domain of the EU.<ref name="Glossary Pillars">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Pillars of the European Union|work=|publisher=]|date=|url=http://europa.eu/scadplus/glossary/eu_pillars_en.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-27}}</ref> Political direction in the EU is given by the European Council, headed by the rotating presidency.<ref name="Europa Institutions ECouncil"/> Citizens participate through the ] which is elected every five years.<ref name="Europa Institutions Parliament"/>

===Integration===
{{main|European integration|Enlargement of the European Union}}
The expansion of the EU has been seen as a means for promoting and reinforcing peace and democracy on the European continent following the Second World War and later after the decline of the ]. Another aim of the EU has always been to increase its economic prosperity.<ref name="Enlargement voice">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=EU enlargement - voices from the debate|work=|publisher=British ]|date=|url=http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1139992114487|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-27}}</ref> There is disagreement on how far the EU should expand however. Some favour further enlargement to continue using the positive influence membership prospects have on neighbouring countries, while others fear "over-stretch". Some believe the European public in particular are suffering from "enlargement fatigue" following the accession of 10 members in 2004.<ref name="IHT fatigue">{{cite web|last=Smale|first=Alison|authorlink=|last2=Bilefsky|first2=Dan|coauthors=|title=Fighting EU 'enlargement fatigue'|work=|publisher=]|date=]|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/06/19/news/eu.php|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-08-14}}</ref> ] is a particularly controversial topic, considering its large population, low ], ] culture, ] and ongoing ]. The country ] in 2005.<ref name="BBC Turkey">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Q&A: Turkey's EU entry talks|work=|publisher=]|date=]|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4107919.stm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-08-14}}</ref>

Accession to the European treaties necessarily means to give over some powers from the national government to a supranational governmental organisation. The powers that passed from national governments to the EU are considered large. The ongoing integration of Europe is becoming contested on the grounds that it reduces members' national sovereignty too much.<ref name="Anti-EU">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=FAQs on the EU, from the campaign trail|work=|publisher=Sovereignty|date=2001|url=http://www.sovereignty.org.uk/features/articles/campquest.html|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-29}}</ref> Enlargement together with integration (new treaties) are seen by some as parallel processes, vital to the EU or it will fail: this is known as the "bicycle theory".<ref name="FT Bicycle">{{cite web|last=Bounds|first=Andrew|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Brussels blog: Bicycle wobbles on the way to Doha|work=|publisher=]|date=2007|url=http://blogs.ft.com/brusselsblog/2007/05/bicycle_wobbles.html|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-27}}</ref>

===Reform===
{{main|Reform Treaty}}
To streamline the EU system and manage the massive increase of member states the ] was proposed. However ratification of this treaty was rejected by Dutch and French voters.<ref name="BBC Reform">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=EU leaders agree on reform treaty|work=|publisher=]|date=2007|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6232540.stm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-27}}</ref>

By the end of 2007, a new "]" should, upon agreement by the leaders, come into force before the ]. The new treaty would carry out most of the reforms envisaged in the Constitutions but without the constitutional elements and would add to, not replace, the existing treaties.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://euobserver.com/9/24522|title=EU unveils bulky new treaty draft|publisher=EU Observer|date=]|accessdate=2007-07-23}}</ref>

In discussions on reform, there has been a desire to address the ] through the development of ]. Citizens have a number or rights including the right to vote and to stand as candidates in local government and ] in any member state.<ref name="Europa Citizenship">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=European citizenship|work=|publisher=]|url=http://ec.europa.eu/youreurope/nav/en/citizens/citizenship/citizenship/index.html|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-01-24}}</ref> However there has been falling turnout at elections, with few political structures at EU level and no cohesive European ]. ], ], has been one notable figure attempting to correct this situation.<ref name="EUObserver Communication">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Brussels struggles with communication policy|work=|publisher=EU Observer|date=2007|url=http://euobserver.com/9/24016|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-27}}</ref> Her plans allow ], instead of national parties running for EU parliament, to campaign in the different countries and thus give these supranational parties greater ability to run with candidates for Commission President.<ref name="EUObserver Political">{{cite web|last=Mahony|first=Honor|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=European politics to get more political|work=|publisher=EU Observer|date=2007|url=http://euobserver.com/9/24370|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-27}}</ref>

===Budget===
{{main|Budget of the European Union}}
Further important political issues concern the ]. The ] for 2007–2013 was defined in 2005 when EU members agreed to fix the common budget to 1.045% of the EU's ].<ref name="Financial 2007">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Financial Perspective 2007–2013|work=|publisher=]|date=2005|url=http://www.consilium.europa.eu/ueDocs/cms_Data/docs/pressData/en/misc/87677.pdf|format=PDF|doi=|accessdate=2007-01-17}}</ref> However there are long running disputes over the ] and the ]. The UK rebate is a special discount on the UK contributions to the EU budget. The rebate was allowed as the UK was receiving relatively little agricultural support compared to other countries. The agricultural policy has historically dominated much of the EU's spending. Reduction of the agricultural spending and abolition of the UK rebate are listed as important reforms of the system by various groups. This is however problematic as unanimity is required to change these agreements, meaning that both the gross receivers from agricultural policies and the UK have to give up a privileged position. So far no agreement has been reached.<ref name="BBC Rebate">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title= Fact check: Britain's EU rebate|work=|publisher=]|date=2005|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4094652.stm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-27}}</ref>

==Foreign relations==
{{Main|Foreign relations of the European Union|Common Foreign and Security Policy}}

The foreign relations of the EU are primarily dealt with through the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). The CFSP has its origins in the formation of ] in 1970.<ref name="EPC">{{cite web |url=http://europa.eu/scadplus/glossary/european_political_cooperation_en.htm |title=European political cooperation (EPC) |accessdate=2007-09-03 |publisher=The European commission |work= Europa Glossary }}</ref> Although cooperation in international trade negotiations, under the Common Commercial Policy, dates back to the establishment of the Community in 1957.<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=2007-09-03 |publisher=The European commission}}</ref> European Political Cooperation was an informal consultation process between member states on foreign policy matters, with the aim of forming common policies. It was formally introduced into the then European Community by the Single European Act and subsequently renamed as the "Common Foreign and Security Policy" by the Maastricht Treaty.<ref name="EPC"/>

], ], is the EU's spokesperson on foreign policy]]
The Maastricht Treaty gives the following aims for the Common Foreign and Security Policy:

{{quotation|
* to safeguard the common values, fundamental interests, independence and integrity of the Union in conformity with the principles of the ],
* to strengthen the security of the Union in all ways,
* to preserve peace and strengthen international security, in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter, as well as the principles of the ] and the objectives of the ], including those on external borders,
* to promote international cooperation,
* to develop and consolidate democracy and the rule of law, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.<ref>Article 11 of the Maastricht Treaty.</ref>}}

The Amsterdam Treaty created the office of the ] (currently held by ]) to coordinate the EU's foreign policy.<ref name="Europa CFSP">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) - Overview|work=|publisher=]|date=2002|url=http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/cfsp/intro/index.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref> The High Representative, in conjunction with the current ], speaks on behalf of the Union in foreign policy matters and can sometimes have the difficult task of articulating ambiguous policy positions created by disagreements among member states. The Common Foreign and Security Policy requires unanimity among the now 27 member states on the appropriate policy to follow on any particular policy and disagreements, such as those which occurred over the war in Iraq,<ref name="BBC Iraq statement">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Divided EU agrees Iraq statement|work=|publisher=]|date=2003|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/2697667.stm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref> are not uncommon.

], ], represents the bloc and its single market in the ]]]

Besides emerging international policy, the international effect of the EU is felt through ]. The potential benefits of becoming a member are considered a major factor contributing to the reform and stabilisation of the former Communist countries in Eastern Europe.<ref name="Enlargement voice"/> These factors influencing other countries are 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|coauthors=|title=Europe must keep its 'soft power'|work=|publisher=] on ]|date=2005|url=http://www.cer.org.uk/articles/bildt_ft_1june05.html|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref> ], ], cited the common foreign policy as a factor as to why ] is no longer a ] &ndash; despite what it may be considered. It is not known if this view is shared by the leaders of the other neutral countries in the EU.<ref name="Europa CFSP">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Presientation of the programme of the Finnish presidency|work=|publisher=]|date=]|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+CRE+20060705+ITEM-002+DOC+XML+V0//EN&language=EN|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-08-13}}</ref>

Along side its foreign and security policy, the Commission is gaining greater representation in international bodies such as the UN, where it has influence over areas such as aid due to its large contributions in that field (see below),<ref name="EUObserver Political">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=EU heading for single UN seat, UN official says|work=|publisher=EU Observer|date=2007|url=http://euobserver.com/24/22553|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref> and the ], in which the Commission and Council Presidents have non-voting representation.<ref name="FCO G8">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=European Union G8 Gleneagles 2005|work=|publisher=British ]|date=|url=http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1097485641825|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref> Generic representation is primarily through the ], who works along side the High Representative. However in the ] (WTO), where all 27 member states are represented, the EU as a body is represented by ] ].<ref name="Europa Trade">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=European Commission - External Trade - Trade Issues|work=|publisher=]|date=|url=http://ec.europa.eu/trade/issues/newround/index_en.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref>

===Humanitarian aid===
{{see|ECHO (European Commission)}}
]

The ], or "ECHO", provides ] from the EU to third world countries. In 2006 its aid budget amounted to 671 million euro, 48% of which went to the ].<ref name="ECHO 2006">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=DG for humanitarian aid - ECHO, financial report 2006|work=|publisher=]|date=2006|url=http://ec.europa.eu/echo/pdf_files/financial_report.pdf|format=PDF|doi=|accessdate=2007-08-13}}</ref> Together with the aid given by member states individually, the EU is the largest aid donor in the world.<ref name="Aid Consensus">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Commission calls for a European consensus to boost impact of humanitarian aid|work=|publisher=]|date=]|url=http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/07/814&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-08-13}}</ref>

The current ], ], has called for aid to be delivered more rapidly, to greater effect and on humanitarian principles.<ref name="Aid Consensus"/> EU aid has previously been criticised by the think tank ] for being inefficient, mis-targeted and linked to economic objectives.<ref name="BBC Aid Inefficient">{{cite web|last=Mulvey|first=Stephen|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=EU attacked for 'inefficient' aid|work=|publisher=]|date=]|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6705773.stm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-08-13}}</ref> Further more, some charities have claimed European governments have inflated the amount they have spent on aid by incorrectly including money spent on debt relief, foreign students and refugees. Under the de-inflated figures, the EU did not reach its internal aid target in 2006<ref name="Indy Inflated Aid">{{cite web|last=Taylor|first=Jerome|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=EU accused of artificially inflating its aid figures|work=|publisher=]|date=]|url=http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/article2530776.ece|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-08-13}}</ref> while under official figures, the EU would not reach the accepted international target of 0.7% of ] until 2015. However only a few countries have reached that target and in 2005, EU aid was 0.34% of GNP which was higher than the United States and ].<ref name="ECHO Overview">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Overviews of the European Union activities: Development|work=|publisher=]|date=|url=http://europa.eu/pol/dev/overview_en.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-08-13}}</ref>

===Security and defence===
{{main|European Security and Defence Policy|Military of the European Union}}

The EU itself has limited military capability of its own. Member states are responsible for their own territorial defence, alongside ] which provides common military capabilities and assurances. However the membership of NATO and the EU are not identical. Furthermore, the ] (WEU) is a separate European security organisation related to the EU. In 1992, the WEU's relationship to the EU was defined, with the EU giving it the "]" (humanitarian missions such as peacekeeping and crisis management). The tasks were later transferred from the WEU to the EU by the Amsterdam Treaty; they formed part of the new CFSP and the ]. Elements of the WEU are currently being merged into the EU's CFSP; the President of the WEU is currently CFSP High Representative.<ref name="Europa ESDP">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=EU Security Police & the role of the European Commission|work=|publisher=]|date=|url=http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/cfsp/esdp/index.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref><ref name="Europa Chronology">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=EU Security Police & the role of the European Commission: Chronology|work=|publisher=]|date=|url=http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/cfsp/esdp/chrono.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref>

] are peacekeeping in areas such as the ]]]

Following the ] 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 independent forces have been created, answerable to the European Council rather than NATO or member states. These include a 60,000-member ] and ] of 15,000 men.<ref name="Council Capabilities">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Capabilities|work=|publisher=]|date=|url=http://www.consilium.europa.eu/cms3_fo/showPage.asp?id=437&lang=EN&mode=g|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref> Forces have been deployed on ] missions from ] to the former ] and the ].<ref name="Council Operations">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=EU Operations|work=|publisher=]|date=|url=http://www.consilium.europa.eu/cms3_fo/showPage.asp?id=268&lang=EN&mode=g|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref> These are supported by a number of bodies, including the ], ] and the ].<ref name="Council Structures">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=ESPD Structures|work=|publisher=]|date=|url=http://www.consilium.europa.eu/cms3_fo/showPage.asp?id=279&lang=EN&mode=g|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref>

==Justice, freedom and security==
{{main|Police and Judicial Co-operation in Criminal Matters|European Commissioner for Justice, Freedom & Security}}
]

The European Union's competence in the justice and home affairs area originates from the signing of the ] in 1985 on the gradual abolition of border controls between six of the then ten European Community member states. In order to implement the Schengen Agreement, the signatory states included measures designed to balance the lowering of border controls with compensating measures in the areas of asylum, immigration and criminal justice.<ref name="EC Schengen">{{cite web |url=http://europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/lvb/l33020.htm |title=The Schengen ''acquis'' and its integration into the Union |accessdate=2007-09-01 |publisher=The European Commission }}</ref> The Maastricht Treaty transferred many of these measures (although not those on the abolition of border controls) into the European Union,<ref name="Maastricht IV">By Title IV of the ] as originally enacted.</ref> along with new competencies to facilitate the freedom of movement of people by adopting common rules in civil matters, such as contract and family law.<ref name="Maastricht IV"/>

Changes to the treaties by the ] added a new aim of the Union as the creation of an "area of Justice, Freedom and Security".<ref>By Article 1(3) of the Amsterdam Treaty.</ref> That treaty also made it easier to pass laws in the area and more difficult for member states to veto them. It also increased the powers of the European Parliament in relation to Justice and Home affairs' measures.<ref>Decisions in certain matters coming to be decided by ].</ref> Recent legislation include the ]<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=The European Commission |accessdate=2007-09-04}}</ref> and directives on family law.<ref>Council Regulation (EC) No 2201/2003 of 27 November 2003 concerning jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in matrimonial matters and the matters of parental responsibility.</ref>

The Union has established agencies to coordinate its actions in the area: ] for cooperation 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=European Commission |accessdate=2007-09-04}}</ref> ] for cooperation 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=European Commission |accessdate=2007-09-04}}</ref> and ] for cooperation between border control agencies.<ref>{{cite web |title=What is Frontex? |url=http://www.frontex.europa.eu/ |publisher=Frontex |accessdate=2007-09-04}}</ref> The EU also operates the ]<ref name="Internal borders"/> which provides a common database for police and immigration authorities.

The EU has also developed a role in human rights protection. Prohibitions against sexual and nationality discrimination have a long standing in the treaties.<ref>Article 39 and 114 of the Treaty of Rome on nationality and sexual discrimination respectively.</ref> The Amsterdam Treaty supplemented these, by adding further competence to legislate against forms of discrimination based on race, religion, disability, age and sexual orientation.<ref>By Article 2(7) of the Amsterdam Treaty, amending Article 13 of the Treaty of Rome.</ref> Using these powers the EU has enacted legislation on sexual discrimination in the work-place, age discrimination and racial discrimination.<ref>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, 19.7.2000, 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, 2.12.2000, p. 16–22).</ref> In 2000 the EU organised a convention which drew up a ].<ref name="rights charter">{{cite web |title=The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU - all personal, civil, political, economic and social rights in one simple text |url=http://ec.europa.eu/justice_home/fsj/rights/charter/fsj_rights_charter_en.htm |publisher=The European Commission |accessdate=2007-09-04}}</ref> Although the charter has not been given the force of law,<ref name="rights charter"/> it was proposed to do so in the now defunct Constitutional treaty and in the current draft of the ].<ref>The charter was formerly included as Part II of the Constitutional Treaty. Article 1(8) of the latest draft of the Reform Treaty would give the charter, subject to certain exceptions, legal force equivalent to the treaties.</ref>

==Economy==
{{main|Economy of the European Union}}
] has been adopted by ], and other third states]]

The EU was created first and foremost as an economic union. The first, oldest and largest pillar, the European Community, was founded as the European Economic Community. Creating and maintaining the EU's ] has been a prominent goal of the Community, ensuring free movement of people, goods, services and capital.<ref name="Europa Single Market">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=The Single Market|work=|publisher=]|url=http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/index_en.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-27}}</ref>

Its combined ] is notionally the largest economy in the world, with an estimated nominal GDP of 11.6 ] (]14.5) trillion in 2006 (compared to the second largest economy, the ], with a GDP of $13.2 trillion).<ref name="GDP IMF">2006 Gross domestic product, current prices:- European Union: USD 14,527.140 billion; United States: USD 13,244.550 billion.<br />{{cite web | url = http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2007/01/data/weorept.aspx?pr.x=48&pr.y=13&sy=2004&ey=2008&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=998&s=NGDPD%2CPPPWGT&grp=1&a=1| title = Report for Selected Country Groups and Subjects (European Union)| accessdate = 2007-07-15| year = 2007 | month = April| work = World Economic Outlook Database, April 2007 Edition| publisher = International Monetary Fund}}<br>
{{cite web | url = http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2007/01/data/weorept.aspx?pr.x=57&pr.y=6&sy=2004&ey=2008&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=111&s=NGDP%2CPPPWGT&grp=0&a=| title = Report for Selected Countries and Subjects (United States)| accessdate = 2007-07-15| year = 2007 | month = April| work = World Economic Outlook Database, April 2007 Edition| publisher = International Monetary Fund}}</ref> The EU is the largest ]er in the world,<ref name="CIA exports">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2078rank.html| title =Rank Order - Exports |publisher = CIA Worldfactbook|accessdate = 2007-08-21}}</ref> and the second largest importer.<ref name="CIA imports">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2087rank.html| title =Rank Order - Imports |publisher = CIA Worldfactbook|accessdate = 2007-08-21}}</ref> It is the biggest trading partner to many countries, such as ]<ref name="Trade China">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=China now EU's biggest import market|work=|publisher=People's Daily Online|date=]|url=http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200701/31/eng20070131_346408.html|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-07-22}}</ref> and ].<ref name="Trade India">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=India|work=|publisher=]|date=June 2007|url=http://ec.europa.eu/trade/issues/bilateral/countries/india/index_en.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-07-22}}</ref> In 2007, the headquarters of 163 companies listed on the ] are within the EU, including half of the top twenty. The most profitable EU based company listed is ], an ]-] ].<ref name="Fortune 500">{{cite web|url=http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/global500/2007/countries/US.html|title=Fortune Global 500: Countries|date=]|publisher = ] Money|accessdate = 2007-08-24}}</ref>

Within the EU's market, which extends to ], ] and ] via the ], ] are guaranteed: free movement of ], ]s, ] and ].<ref name="EEA">{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/eea/index.htm| title =The European Economic Area (EEA)|publisher = ]|accessdate = 2007-07-21}}</ref> To aid this, 13 members of the EU have adopted a common currency, the ]. Together they are called the ] and they have a common ], although the currency is used by a number of other countries outside of the EU.<ref name="ECB org">{{cite web|url=http://www.ecb.int/ecb/orga/escb/html/index.en.html| title =The use of the euro in the world|publisher = ]|accessdate = 2007-07-21}}</ref><ref name="euro where">{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/euro/world/euro_world_main_en.htm| title =ECB, ESCB and the Eurosystem|publisher = ]|accessdate = 2007-07-21}}</ref> The ] has projected that in 2007 the eurozone will grow by 2.7%, faster than the projected 2.1% growth in the ].<ref name="EUO outpace">{{cite web|last=Rettman|first=Andrew|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Eurozone outracing US on economic growth|work=|publisher=EU Observer|date=]|url=http://euobserver.com/9/24129|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-07-13}}</ref> In 2006, 2 million of the 3 million jobs created in the EU were in the eurozone, although the eurozone economy is set to grow 2.4%, slightly slower than the EU as a whole, at 2.7%.<ref name="2006 grow">{{cite web|url=http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/07/197&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en| title =Economic growth in the European Union continues at a brisk pace|date=]|publisher = ]|accessdate = 2007-07-24}}</ref>

] is the most profitable of the 163 ] companies headquartered in the EU]]

Legislation over the years has harmonised standards and liberalised markets. However, not all changes have been equally welcomed, for example the ] faced protests over its liberalisation of services.<ref name="Europa Members">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Bolkestein Directive: Implications For European And Turkish Economy|work=|publisher=]|date=2006|url=http://www.turkishweekly.net/comments.php?id=1951|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-27}}</ref> The single market is extended to non-EU members through the ] (EEA) treaties. Through this treaty ], ] and ] accept certain elements of EU law.<ref name="Relations EEA">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=The European Economic Area (EEA)|work=|publisher=]|date=2004|url=http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/eea/index.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-27}}</ref> There have been a number of high profile cases where the ] has fined or rejected mergers of major corporations. The current commissioner, ], has dealt with a long dispute with ], after the corporation was fined 497 million euro in 2004 for anti-competitive behaviour.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rowley|first=James|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Microsoft dispute a lesson, EU says|work=|publisher=Seattle Times|date=]|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2003675344_microsofteu21.html?syndication=rss|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-08-14}}</ref> ] was the first to block the merger between two US companies, which has been approved by US authorities.<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=The Commission prohibits GE's acquisition of Honeywell|work=|publisher=]|date=]|url=http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/01/939|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-08-14}}</ref> Since the founding treaty of the Community, the treaties have included the objective to establish a market of "free and undistorted competition". However the deletion of this phrase was secured by ] in talks on the proposed Reform Treaty. It is not expected to have any major impact on competition policy.<ref name="Free and Undistorted">{{cite web|last=Nicolaides|first=Phedon|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=The truth about competition |work=|publisher=]|date=]|url=http://www.euractiv.com/en/competition/truth-competition/article-165099|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-08-14}}</ref>

===Regional development===
{{main|Regional policy of the European Union}}
] finance infrastructure such as this motorway in ]]]

There are substantial economic disparities across the EU, reflecting the different economies of its member states. Even corrected for purchasing power, the difference between the richest and poorest regions (] & ]) is about a factor of ten &ndash; ] has €68,751 ] per capita, ] €67,980,<ref name="Frankfurt_Paris">{{cite web| url=http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/extraction/evalight/EVAlight.jsp?A=1&language=en&root=/theme1/regio/econ-r/esa95/gdp95/e3gdp95| title=Table: E3GDP95 = Gross domestic product (GDP) at current market prices at NUTS level 3| author=]| accessdate=2007-04-19}}</ref> and ] €65,138, while ] has €5,070 PPP per capita and ]'s Severozapaden has €5,502 PPP per capita.<ref name="London_Nord-Est_Severozapaden">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Regional GDP per inhabitant in the EU 27|work=|publisher=]|date=|url=http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/PGP_PRD_CAT_PREREL/PGE_CAT_PREREL_YEAR_2007/PGE_CAT_PREREL_YEAR_2007_MONTH_02/1-19022007-DE-AP.PDF|format=PDF|doi=|accessdate=2007-03-01}}</ref> By comparison, United States GDP per capita is 35% higher than the EU average and the Japanese GDP per capita is approximately 15% higher.<ref name="STAT/06/166">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=GDP per capita in the Member States ranged from 48% to 251% of the EU25 average in 2005|work=|publisher=]|date=]|url=http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=STAT/06/166&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-07-13}}</ref>

To tackle this, there are a number of ] aimed at promoting the development of the poorer regions of the EU. These regions are primarily located in the new member states of eastern Europe.<ref name="Business2000 Funds">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=EU Structural and Cohesion Funds|work=|publisher=Business 2000|url=http://www.business2000.ie/cases/cases_8th/case12.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-27}}</ref> The EU sponsors research through its ], to deal with research and technological development to work towards a ].<ref name="Euractiv FP7">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=7th Research Framework Programme (FP7)|work=|publisher=Euractiv|date=2004|url=http://www.euractiv.com/en/science/7th-research-framework-programme-fp7/article-117494|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-27}}</ref> Other funds provide emergency aid, support for candidate members to transform their country to conform to EU standard (], ], and ]), and support to the ] (]).

===Agriculture===
{{main|Common Agricultural Policy}}

The ] (CAP) is one the oldest policies of the European Community and was once, one of its central planks.<ref name="stead">{{cite web|last=Stead|first=David|authorlink=|coauthors=Robert Whaples (eds)|title=Common Agricultural Policy|work=|publisher=EH.Net Encyclopedia|date=]|url=http://eh.net/encyclopedia/article/Stead.CAP|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-08-30}}</ref>The policy has the objectives of increasing agricultural production, providing certainty in food supplies, ensuring a high quality of life for farmers, stabilising markets and insuring reasonable prices for consumers (article 33 of the Treaty of Rome).<ref name="Consolidated Treaties"/> It was, until recently, operated by a system of subsidies and market intervention, and up until the 1990s accounted for over half of the then European Communities' annual budget, and still accounts for around forty percent of the EU's budget.<ref name="stead"/>

], the largest ] expenditure (], Bulgaria)]]

The policy's price controls and market interventions led to a great deal of overproduction resulting in the so-called wine lakes and beef mountains. These were intervention stores which were built up from produce bought by the Community to insure minimum price levels. In order to reduce the levels of these stores, agricultural produce was often sold on the world market at prices considerably below what was paid for it, or farmers were offered subsidies (amounting to the difference between the Community and world prices) to export their produce outside the Community. This is often criticised on the grounds that the subsidised produce under-cuts farmers in the developing world.<ref name="Guardian CAP">{{cite web|last=Jeffery|first=Simon|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=The EU common agricultural policy|work=|publisher=]|date=]|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/theissues/article/0,,975350,00.html|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-08-30}}</ref> The overproduction has also been criticised on environmental grounds in that it encourages environmentally unfriendly intensive farming methods.<ref name="Guardian CAP"/> Supports of CAP say that the economic support it provides farmers to a reasonable standard of living in what would otherwise be an economically unviable way of life. Although currently the EU's small farmers only receive 8% of CAP's available subsidies.<ref name="Guardian CAP"/>

Since the beginning of the 1990s CAP has been subject to a series of reforms. Initially these reforms included, amongst other things, the introduction of milk quotes (by the McSharry reforms in 1992)<ref name="stead"/> and, more recently, the 'de-coupling' (or disassociation) of the money farmers receive from the EU and the amount they produce (by the Fischler reforms in 2004),<ref name="stead"/> with the aim of reducing oversupply while maintaining income levels. The most recent reform entailed to abolition of the EU's sugar regime which previously involved the carving up of the sugar market between member states and certain African-Caribbean nations with a privileged relationship with the EU.<ref name="EC CAP">{{cite web |title=Sugar: Commission proposes more market-, consumer- and trade-friendly regime |publisher=] |date=] |url=http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/04/915&format=HTML&aged=1&language=EN&guiLanguage=en|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-08-30}}</ref>

===Energy===
{{main|Energy policy of the European Union}}
]s from Russia to the EU]]

The EU has been a legislative power in the area of energy policy for many years. This involvement evolved from of the ]. The introduction of a mandatory and comprehensive European energy policy was approved at the meeting of the ] in October 2005 and the first draft policy was published in January 2007.<ref name="Energy Q&A">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Q&A: EU energy plans|work=|publisher=]|date=]|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4783996.stm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-07-13}}</ref>

The EU currently imports 82% of its ] and 57% of its ], making it the world's leading importer of these fuels.<ref name="low carb prop">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title='Low-carbon economy' proposed for Europe|work=|publisher=]|date=|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16560106/|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-01-24}}</ref> In 2007, member states legally bound the EU to use 20% ] and cut ] ] by at least 20% from 1990 levels, by 2020.<ref name="EUO energy">{{cite web|last=Rettman|first=Andrew|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=EU sticks out neck in global climate change battle|work=|publisher=EU Observer|date=]|url=http://euobserver.com/9/23665|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-03-09}}</ref> In 2020, one-tenth of all cars and trucks in ] are agreed to be running on ]s. This is considered to be one of the most ambitious moves by large industrialised regions to fight ].<ref name="Discovery energy">{{cite web|last=Ames|first=Paul|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=European Union agrees on ambitious plan to fight global warming|work=|publisher=]|date=]|url=http://reports.discoverychannel.ca/servlet/an/discovery/1/20070309/030907_discovery_europe_warming/20070309?hub=DiscoveryReport|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-03-09}}</ref>

Despite this, there are still concerns that the EU is largely dependent upon ] for its energy. This concern has grown particularly acute following a series of ] between Russia and its neighbours as Russia rose the price of its exports. As a result the EU is attempting to diversify its energy supply.<ref name="Energy Russia">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Ukraine-Russia gas dispute - call for stronger EU energy policy|work=|publisher=]|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/public/story_page/051-4234-012-01-02-909-20060112STO04233-2006-12-01-2006/default_en.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-08-21}}</ref>

===Infrastructure===
{{see|European Commissioner for Transport|European Commissioner for Enterprise and Industry}}<!--Galileo comes under the latter, not Transport-->

The EU is working to improve cross-border ], for example through the ] (TEN). Projects under TEN include the ], ], the ], the ] and the ]. In 2001 it was estimated that by 2010 the network would cover: 75,200&nbsp;km of roads; 78,000&nbsp;km of railways; 330 airports; 270 maritime harbours; and 210 internal harbours.<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=The trans-European transport network: new guidelines and financial rules|work=|publisher=]|date=]|url=http://ec.europa.eu/ten/transport/revision/doc/revision_1692_memo_en.pdf|format=PDF|accessdate=2007-08-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Mirea|first=Silvia|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=The trans-European transport network: new guidelines and financial rules|work=|publisher=The Railway Journal|date=|url=http://www.cfr.ro/jf/engleza/0304/ten-t.htm|accessdate=2007-08-15}}</ref>

] between Denmark and Sweden, is a priority to increase trade and mobility]]

In developing European transport policy, there are environmental pressures on proposals to increase the transport network. With enlargement, a problem policy has had to tackle is the differences between the older and newer member states. In the EU 15, there is a major problem with congestion and pollution, while in the states that joined since 2004, the problem is accessibility.<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=White Paper on Transport|work=|publisher=Euractiv|date=]|url=http://www.euractiv.com/en/transport/white-paper-transport/article-129628|format=|accessdate=2007-08-15}}</ref> The ] in particular was in poor condition. From accession, 4,600 roads needed to be upgraded to EU standards with an approximate expenditure of 17 billion euro.<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Transport – How Quickly will Polish Roads Improve After Accession|work=|publisher=Urząd Komitetu Integracji Europejskiej|date=]|url=http://www2.ukie.gov.pl/WWW/en.nsf/0/574AB36381D2F551C1256E82004F9470?Open|format=|accessdate=2007-08-15}}</ref>

Another project is the ]. Galileo is a proposed ], to be built by the EU and launched by the ] (ESA). Galileo was launched to reduce the EU's dependency on the US-operated ]. Galileo extends its cooperation to other nations outside the EU and is to be operational by 2010.<ref name="Barrot">{{cite web|last=Barrot|first=Jacques|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Jacques Barrot Home Page|work=|publisher=]|date=|url=http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/barrot/index_en.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-07-21}}</ref> It has been criticised by some due to costs, delays, and a perception of it being redundant due to the existing GPS system.<ref>{{cite web|last=McKie|first=Robin|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Sat-nav rival could crash and burn|work=|publisher=]|date=]|url=http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2126734,00.html|accessdate=2007-08-11}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{main|Demographics of the European Union}}
]]]

The combined population of all 27 member countries was approximately 492.9 million in 2006.<ref name="Eurostat Population">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Total population|work=|publisher=]|date=|url=http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page?_pageid=1996,39140985&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&screen=detailref&language=en&product=Yearlies_new_population&root=Yearlies_new_population/C/C1/C11/caa10000|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-07-14}}</ref> Between 2004 and 2025 the population of the EU 25 is expected increase by approximately 13 million. This increase be will primarily be due to net ], which is present in most European countries.

The EU's population is 7.3% of all humans, yet the EU covers just 3% of the earth's land. That is a ] of 114/] making the EU one of the ]. Eighty percent live in an ] and a third live in cities of over a million people.<ref name="urban dens">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=A densely populated area|work=|publisher=Telsat Guide|date=|url=http://telsat.belspo.be/beo/en/profs/europe-population.asp?section=6.3.3|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-07-22}}<br>114/km² density figure: 494,070,000 / 4,324,782 = 114 people/km2. Population figure is from 2006, see ref: "Eurostat Population".</ref> The EU is home to more ] than any other region in the world<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=The World According to GaWC|work=|publisher=Loughborough University|date=|url=http://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/citymap.html|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-06-29}}</ref> and 16 cities with populations of over one million (using city proper figures). The three largest cities are ], ] and ]<!--Alphabetical order-->.

Densely populated regions that have no single core but have emerged from the connection of several cites and are now encompassing large metropolitan areas are ] having approximately 10.5 million inhabitants (], ], ] et al.), ] approx. 7 million (], ], ], ] et al.), ] approx. 4 million (], ] et al.) and the ] approx. 3.5 million. (], ] et al.).<ref name="Eurostat Urban zones">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Indicators for larger urban zones 1999 - 2003|work=|publisher=]|date=|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|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-01-25}}</ref>

<!--NOTE: When editing this table, please note there is a discussion about its future on this article's talk page which may replace the current set up. Feel free to contribute-->
<center>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right; margin-right:50px; font-size:90%"
|-
! align=center |]<br /><small>(2005)</small>
! <br /><small>mill.</small>
! align=center |]<br /><small>(2005)</small>
! <br /><small>mill.</small>
! align=center |]<br /><small>(2001)</small>
! <br /><small>mill.</small>
! rowspan=4 | ]
! rowspan=4 | ]
! rowspan=4 | ]
|-
| align=left | ''']''' || 7.5 ||align=left | ''']'''|| 10.1 ||align=left | ''']''' || 11.6
|-
| align=left | ''']''' || 3.4 ||align=left | ''']''' || 8.5 ||align=left | ''']''' || 11.0
|-
| align=left | ''']''' || 3.1|| align=left | ''']''' || 5.5 || align=left | ''']''' || 5.6
|-
| align=left | ''']''' || 2.5 || align=left | ''']''' || 5.3 || align=left | ''']''' || 5.4||align=center | ] ||align=center | ] ||align=center | ]
|-
| align=left | ''']''' || 2.2 || align=left | ''']''' || 4.5 || align=left | ''']''' || 4.9||rowspan=5 | ] ||rowspan=5 | ] || rowspan=5 |]
|-
| align=left | ''']''' || 1.9 || align=left | ''']''' || 3.8 || align=left | ''']''' || 4.8
|-
| align=left | ''']''' || 1.8 || align=left | ''']''' || 3.7 || align=left | ''']''' || 3.9
|-
| align=left | ''']''' || 1.7 || align=left | ''']''' || 3.3 || align=left | ''']''' || 3.9
|-
| align=left | ''']''' || 1.7 || align=left | ''']''' || 3.2 || align=left | ''']''' || 3.7
|-
| align=left | ''']''' || 1.7 || align=left | ''']''' || 2.9 || align=left | ''']''' || 3.1 ||align=center | ] ||align=center | ] ||align=center | ]
|}
</center>

===Languages===
{{main|Languages of the European Union}}

The EU has 23 ] and ]s: ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ].<ref name="Official Languages">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Council Regulation (EC) No 1791/2006 of 20 November 2006|work=|publisher=]|date=]|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:31958R0001:EN:NOT|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-02-02}}</ref> Translation of important documents, such as legislation, takes place in every official language, however some institutions choose only a handful of languages as internal working languages. The European Parliament however provides translation into all languages for documents and its plenary sessions.<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Europa:Languages and Europe. FAQ: Is every document generated by the EU translated into all the official languages?|work=|publisher=]|date=2004|url=http://europa.eu/languages/en/document/59#5|doi=|accessdate=2007-02-03}}</ref> ] is the responsibility of member states, but EU institutions promote the learning of other languages.<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Consolidated version of the Treaty establishing the European Community, Articles 149 to 150|work=|publisher=]|date=2004|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/treaties/dat/12002E/htm/C_2002325EN.003301.html#anArt150|doi=|accessdate=2007-02-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=European Parliament Fact Sheets: 4.16.3. Language policy|work=|publisher=]|date=2004|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/facts/4_16_3_en.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-02-03}}</ref>

<div style="font-size: 80%">
{| class="wikitable" table style="border:1px #000000;" cellspacing="0" align="right" style="margin-left: 1em; text-align:right;"
! style="background:#FF9999;" colspan="3"|Languages (2006)<ref name="Eurobarometer Languages"/>
|-
| ||First Language||Language Total
|-
|]||13%||51%
|-
|]||18%||32%
|-
|]||12%||26%
|-
|]||13%||16%
|-
|]||9%||15%
|-
|]||9%||10%
|-
|]||5%||6%
|-
|]||3%||3%
|-
|]||2%||3%
|-
|]||2%||3%
|-
|]||2%||2%
|-
|]||2%||2%
|-
! colspan="2"|Other EU Languages||~6%
|-
! colspan="2"|Minority Languages||~16%
|}
</div>
German is the most widely spoken mother tongue (about 88.7 million people ]), followed by English, Italian and French. ], while German and French follow. 56% of EU citizens are able to hold a conversation in a language other than their mother tongue.<ref name="Eurobarometer Languages">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Special Eurobarometer 243: Europeans and their Languages (Survey)|work=|publisher=]|date=2006|url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_243_en.pdf|format=PDF|doi=|accessdate=2007-02-03}}<br />{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Special Eurobarometer 243: Europeans and their Languages (Executive Summery)|work=|publisher=]|date=2006|url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_243_sum_en.pdf|format=PDF|doi=|accessdate=2007-02-03}}</ref> Most official languages of the EU belong to the ] ], except Estonian, Finnish, and Hungarian, which belong to the ] language family, and Maltese, which is a ]. EU official languages are written in the ] except Bulgarian, written in ], and Greek, written in the ].<ref name="Many tongues, one family">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Many tongues, one family. Languages in the European Union|work=|publisher=]|date=2004|url=http://europa.eu.int/comm/publications/booklets/move/45/en.pdf|format=PDF|doi=|accessdate=2007-02-03}}</ref>

There are about 150 ] and ]s, spoken by up to 50 million
people.<ref name="Many tongues, one family"/> Of these, only the Spanish regional languages: ], ], and ] can be used in the communication of the citizens with the Council of the European Union, the Commission, the Economic and Social Committee, the European Parliament and the ], as well as in the workings of the ].<ref name="Mercator">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Mercator Newsletter - n. 29|work=|publisher=Mercator Central|date=2006|url=http://www.mercator-central.org/newsletter/newsletter29.htm#2|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-02-01}}</ref> Though regional and minority languages can benefit from EU programmes, protection of ] is a matter for the individual member states. A wide variety of languages from other parts of the world are spoken by ] communities in EU countries. ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ] are spoken in many parts of the EU. Many older immigrant communities are ] in the local language and in that of their community. Migrant languages are not given formal status or recognition in the EU or in the EU countries, although since 2007 they have been eligible for support from the language teaching section of the EU's ]<ref name="Many tongues, one family"/>

===Religion===
{{see|Religion in the European Union}}
]

The EU is a ] body, with no formal connections to any ] and no mention of religion in any current or proposed treaty.<ref name="Consolidated Treaties"/> Discussion over the draft texts of the European Constitution and later the Reform Treaty have included proposals to mention ] and/or ] in the preamble of the text. However this idea has faced opposition and has thus been dropped.<ref name="EUO Merkel God">{{cite web|last=Rettman|first=Andrew|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Merkel gives up on God in EU treaty|work=|publisher=EU Observer|date=]|url=euobserver.com/15/24066 |format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-07-21}}</ref> The desire for a reference stems from ] being the dominant religion in Europe. European Christianity can be roughly divided into ], a wide range of ] churches (especially in northern Europe) and ] (in south eastern Europe).<ref name="Christianity Britannica">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Chrisianity|work=|publisher=]|date=|url=http://www.britannica.com/ebc/article-9360716|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-07-21}}</ref> Other religions such as ] and ] are also present. In 2002 the EU had an estimated ] of roughly over a million<ref>Jewish population figures may be unreliable. These estimates are taken from: {{cite web| url = http://www.jafi.org.il/education/100/concepts/demography/demjpop.html | title = World Jewish Population (2002)| accessdate = 2007-05-03| author = Sergio DellaPergola| work = American Jewish Year Book| publisher = The Jewish Agency for Israel}}</ref> and a Muslim population in 2006 of 16 million people.<ref name="Islam.de SecE">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=In Europa leben gegen­wärtig knapp 53 Millionen Muslime|work=|publisher=Islam.de|date=]|url=http://islam.de/8368.php|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-07-21}}</ref>

Despite the majority of citizens having some form of belief system only 21% see it as important.<ref name="About SecE">{{cite web|last=Cline|first=Austin|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Secularism in Europe|work=|publisher=About.com|date=]|url=http://atheism.about.com/b/a/149439.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-07-21}}</ref> There is increasing ] or ] among the general population in Europe, with falling attendance and membership in many countries.<ref name="About SecE"/><ref name="Zuckerman Atheism">{{cite web|last=Zuckerman|first=Phil|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Atheism: Contemporary Rates and Patterns|work=|publisher=]|date=2005|url=http://www.pitzer.edu/academics/faculty/zuckerman/atheism.html|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-07-21}}</ref> In 2005, a survey of the EU's members at that time found that of the EU citizens, 52% believe in ''a'' god, 27% in ''some sort of spirit or life force'' and 18% had no form of belief. The countries where the fewest people reported a religious belief were the Czech Republic (19%) and Estonia (16%).<ref name="Eurostat Religion">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Eurobarometer 225: Social values, Science & Technology|work=|publisher=]|date=2005|url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_225_report_en.pdf|format=PDF|doi=|accessdate=2007-07-21}}</ref> In such countries, even those who have a faith can be disdainful of organized religion.<ref name="About SecC">{{cite web|last=Cline|first=Austin|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Czech Republic: Most Atheist Country in Europe?|work=|publisher=About.com|date=]|url=http://atheism.about.com/b/a/009710.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-07-21}}</ref> The most religious societies are those in Malta with 95% (predominantly Roman Catholic), and Cyprus and Romania both with about 90% of citizens believing in a god. Across the EU, belief was higher among women, increased with age, those with religious upbringing, those with the lowest levels of formal education, those leaning towards ], and those reflecting more upon philosophical and ethical issues.<ref name="Eurostat Religion"/>

==Society ==
===Education and research===
{{see|Education in the European Union|Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development}}
] is one priority in transnational research activities such as the ] ]]

Education and science are areas where the EU's role is limited in its support. In education, policy mainly developed in the 1980s with programmes supporting exchanges and mobility. The most visible of these has been the ], a university exchange programme which began in 1987. In its first 20 years it has supported international exchange opportunities for well over 1.5 million university and college students and become a symbol of Europe and student life. In France, where 217,000 students have participated, the programme became the subject of a film in 2002, ].<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=The Erasmus programme celebrates its 20th aniversary|work=|publisher=]|date=|url=http://ec.europa.eu/education/news/erasmus20_en.html|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-07-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Jean-Sébastien|first=Lefebvre|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Erasmus turns 20 - time to grow up?|date=]|publisher=Café Babel|date=|url=http://www.cafebabel.com/en/article.asp?T=T&Id=9702|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-08-10}}</ref> There are now similar programmes for school pupils and teachers, for trainees in vocational education and training, and for adult learners in the ]. They are designed to encourage a wider knowledge of other countries and to spread good practices in the education and training fields.<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency|work=|publisher=]|date=|url=http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/index.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-07-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Lifelong Learning Programme|work=|publisher=]|date=|url=http://ec.europa.eu/education/programmes/llp/national_en.html|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-07-21}}</ref>

Scientific support is offered through the EU's ], the first of which was in 1984. The aims of EU policy in this area are to coordinate and stimulate research. The independent ] allocates EU funds to European or national research projects.<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=European Research Council: What is the ERC?|work=|publisher=]|date=|url=http://erc.europa.eu/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.display&topicID=12|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-07-21}}</ref> Since January 2000 the ] has set its sights on a wider objective, known as the ]. This has the support of all member states, and extends the existing financing structure of the frameworks. It aims to focus on coordination, sharing knowledge, ensuring mobility of researchers around Europe, improving conditions for researchers and encouraging links with business and industry as well as removing any legal and administrative barriers.<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=What is the European Research Area?|work=|publisher=]|date=|url=http://ec.europa.eu/research/era/index_en.html|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-07-21}}</ref>

The ] (based in ] and ]) was the first European educational establishment, being founded in 1949. It is financially supported by the EU and many students go on to work with the European institutions. Student's places are allocated according to the size of the member state, so it is seen as a reproduction of European society.<ref>{{cite web|last=Pierre-Alban|first=Pillet|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=A European Higher Education System is Taking Shape|work=|publisher=Café Babel|date=]|url=http://www.cafebabel.com/en/article.asp?T=T&Id=1371|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-08-10}}</ref> In further effort to build a European science base, and to improve the competitive edge of the EU in the area of innovation and technology, the commission has proposed the foundation of a ]. It has not been decided whether this plan will include its own campus, or will be mainly a network of existing research facilities in the EU.<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=European Institute of Technology|work=|publisher=]|date=|url=http://ec.europa.eu/education/policies/educ/eit/index_en.html|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-07-21}}</ref>

===Culture===
{{see|Culture of Europe|Cultural policies of the European Union}}

The EU has no specific culture or cultural history, other than those of its member states, so EU culture is intertwined with the ]. Within the EU, supporters of ] often appeal to a shared European historical/cultural heritage, typically including ] and ], the ] of the ], the ], the ], 19th century ] and (sometimes) negative elements such as the ]. European values are assumed to be grounded in this shared heritage.<ref>For example: {{cite web | url = http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/infopress_page/008-3007-043-02-07-901-20070208IPR02888-12-02-2007-2007-true/default_en.htm | title =Priority is dialogue for partnership and tolerance | accessdate = 2007-07-18 | author = Hans-Gert Poettering| authorlink = Hans-Gert Pöttering| date = 2007-02-13 | work = Inaugural speech by the new president of the European Parliament | publisher = European Parliament | quote = }}</ref> This heritage can often be invoked to encourage a sense of shared heritage and pride in it: in March 2007, for the 50th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome, a piece of art from each state was sent to Rome for a special exhibition. Such art varied from historical pieces such as ]'s '']'' to modern works such as ]'s ''Prophecy on Venice''.<ref name="Culture Rome">{{cite web|last=Barber|first=Tony|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Rome shows Europe its heart of art|work=|publisher=]|date=]|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/1ce6e3ec-d3e4-11db-8889-000b5df10621,dwp_uuid=176e2654-91dc-11db-a945-0000779e2340.html|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-08-05}}</ref> Displays of such artwork can also be seen on ], where countries choose to depict a symbol of national pride such as a building or artist, for example ] or ''the ]''.<ref name="Euro Coins">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Euro coins|work=|publisher=]|date=|url=http://www.ecb.int/bc/euro/coins/html/index.en.html|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-08-05}}</ref>

] is one of the two ] for 2007]]

There is some EU cultural cooperation. Cultural cooperation between member states has become a community competency since its inclusion in 1992 in the ].<ref name="Bozoki">{{cite web|last=Bozoki|first=Andras|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Cultural Policy and Politics in the European Union|work=|publisher=|date=|url=http://137.204.115.130/activities/download/Bozoki/Cultural%20Policy%20and%20Politics%20in%20the%20European%20Union.pdf|format=PDF|doi=|accessdate=2007-07-13}}</ref> Actions taken in the cultural area by the EU include the ] 7-year programme,<ref name="Bozoki"/> the ] event,<ref name"Culture Month">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=European Culture Month|work=|publisher=]|date=|url=http://ec.europa.eu/culture/eac/other_actions/cap_europ/cap_eu_en.html|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-07-13}}</ref> the ] programme,<ref name"Media Plus">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Media programme|work=|publisher=philatelism.com|date=]|url=http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/media/index_en.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-07-13}}</ref> orchestras such as the ]<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|url=http://www.euyo.org.uk/about/history.htm|title=An Overture to the European Union Youth Orchestra|publisher=The European Youth Orchestra|accessdate=2007-08-12}}</ref> and the ] programme – where one or more cities in the EU are selected for one year to assist the cultural development of the city.<ref name"Capital Culture">{{cite web|last=Bozoki|first=Andras|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=European Capitals of Culture|work=|publisher=]|date=|url=http://ec.europa.eu/culture/eac/other_actions/cap_europ/cap_eu_en.html|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-07-13}}</ref> In addition, the EU gives grants to cultural projects (totalling 233 in 2004) and has launched a Web portal dedicated to Europe and culture, responding to the European Council's expressed desire to see the Commission and the member states "promote the networking of cultural information to enable all citizens to access European cultural content by the most advanced technological means."<ref name"Culture Portal">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Cultural heritage as a vehicle of cultural identity|work=|publisher=philatelism.com|date=]|url=http://ec.europa.eu/culture/portal/activities/heritage/cultural_heritage_vehic_en.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-07-13}}</ref>

===Sports===
{{main|Sport policies of the European Union}}

] saw a European team compete in football, a popular sport across the EU]]

] is largely the domain of the member states, with the EU mostly playing an indirect role. The role of the EU might increase in the future, if (for example) the ] were to be ratified by all member states.<ref name"EUO Sport">{{cite web|last=Goldirova|first=Renata|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Brussels' first-ever move into sport area set to spark controversy|work=|publisher=EU Observer|date=]|url=http://euobserver.com/9/24455|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-07-13}}</ref> Recently the EU launched an anti-doping convention. Other policies of the EU have had an impact on sports, such as the freedom of employment which was at the core of the ], which prohibited national football leagues from imposing quotas on foreign players with EU nationality.<ref name"BBC Boseman">{{cite web|last=Fordyce|first=Tom|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=10 years since Bosman|work=|publisher=]|date=]|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4528732.stm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-07-13}}</ref>

Various ] are popular throughout Europe, such as ]. In the same manner that artistic heritage is drawn on by the EU, football has also been drawn on. On ] ], for the 50th anniversary of the Rome Treaty, a European football team was formed to take on ] in a friendly match. It was also the 50th anniversary of Manchester's first participation in the ]. The "]" ] described the importance of the game to Europe in the following terms: ''"Football brings people together. In a continent so proud of its cultural diversity, football offers a common language. It helps to integrate different communities. At its best, our sport conveys some of Europe’s basic values: the rule of law, respect for others, freedom of expression, teamwork and solidarity."''<ref name"Football Manchester">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=EU 50th Anniversary Football Match|work=|publisher=]|date=]|url=http://ec.europa.eu/unitedkingdom/information/focus/football_en.htm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-08-10}}</ref> Although the combined team was a one off for that event, Commission President ] proposed that the national teams entering the ] in ] carry the ] in addition to their national flag as a show of unity. In the ], ].<ref name"Football Manchester">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Olympic Games 2004 - Congratulations from President Prodi|work=|publisher=]|date=]|url=http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/04/1052|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-08-10}}</ref>

===Environment===
{{main|European Commissioner for the Environment}}
The first European environmental policy was launched in 1972. Since then it has addressed issues such as ], the thinning of the ], ], ], ] and ]. The ] is an example of the water policy; the aim is for rivers, lake, ground and coastal waters to be of "good quality" by 2015. Wildlife is protected through the ] programme and covers 30,000 sites throughout Europe.<ref name="BBC Dimas">{{cite web|last=Dimas|first=Stavros|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Celebrating the Environmental Union|work=|publisher=]|date=]|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6476273.stm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-08-15}}</ref> In 2007, the Polish government sought to build a motorway through the ], but the Commission has been blocking construction as the valley is a wildlife area covered by the programme.<ref name="FT Respuda">{{cite web|last=Dimas|first=Stavros|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Celebrating the Environmental Union|work=|publisher=]|date=]|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6476273.stm|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-08-15}}</ref>

] in Poland from motorway construction]]
The ] was a large piece of legislation passed in 2006 which is designed to ensure 30,000 chemicals which are in daily use are tested for their safety.<ref name="RTE REACH">{{cite web|last=|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=EU chemicals directive agreed|work=|publisher=]|date=]|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/1201/reach.html|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-08-15}}</ref> Earlier in 2006, an ], from a European ship, prompted the Commission to look into legislation against toxic waste. With states such as Spain now even having a crime against shipping toxic waste, the Commission proposed to create criminal sentences for "ecological crimes". Although the Commission's right to propose criminal law was contested, it won the right in the Court of Justice.<ref name="E!Sharp0507 Legal">{{cite news|last=Charter|first=David|coauthors=|title=A new legal environment|work=E!Sharp|pages=23-5|language=English|publisher=People Power Process|date=2007|url=|accessdate=}}</ref>

The EU was involved in the development of the ] and signed up to it along side its member states. One way it has sought to tackle climate change was by creating the ], the worlds biggest multinational environmental trading scheme. The EU is also involved in trying to secure a post-Kyoto deal.<ref name="BBC Dimas"/> In 2007, the EU agreed to an energy policy binding members to cut their ] ] by at least 20% from 1990 levels, by 2020. If an international deal is reached, emissions would be cut further. The use of ] would also be increased to 20%.<ref name="EUO energy">{{cite web|last=Rettman|first=Andrew|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=EU sticks out neck in global climate change battle|work=|publisher=EU Observer|date=]|url=http://euobserver.com/9/23665|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-03-09}}</ref> It is also planned that by 2020, 10% of all automobiles would run on biofuels.<ref name="Discovery energy">{{cite web|last=Ames|first=Paul|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Poland ends stand-off with EU over road plans|work=|publisher=]|date=]|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/640968f2-3f5b-11dc-b034-0000779fd2ac.html|format=|doi=|accessdate=2007-08-15}}</ref>

==See also==
{{European Union-related topics}}

==References==
<!-- Please DO NOT use a scroll template/form/table for the reflink, please read warning on the scoll template page. Thank you. -->
{{reflist|2}}

==Further reading==
<div class="references-small">
* ''EU Law, Text, Cases and Materials'', by Paul Craig and Grainne De Burca, 3rd ed., (Oxford University Press 2003) ISBN 0198765096
* ''] Guide to the European Union'' (Profile Books 2005) ISBN 978-1-86197-930-8
* ''Access to European Union: law, economics, policies'' by Nicholas Moussis (European Study Service, 2007 — 16th ed.) ISBN 978-2-930119-43-4
* ''Europe Recast: A History of European Union'' by ] (Palgrave Macmillan, 2004) ISBN 978-0-333-98734-6
* ''Understanding the European Union 3rd ed'' by ] (Palgrave Macmillan, 2005) ISBN 978-1-4039-4451-1
* ''The Institutions of the European Union'' edited by John Peterson, Michael Shackleton, 2nd edition (Oxford University Press, 2006) ISBN 0198700520
* ''The Government and Politics of the European Union'' by Neill Nugent (Palgrave Macmillan, 2002) ISBN 978-0-333-98461-1
* ''The European Union: A Very Short Introduction'' by John Pinder (Oxford, 2001) ISBN 978-0-19-285375-2
* ''The United States of Europe: The New Superpower and the end of American Supremacy'' by T.R. Reid (Penguin Press, 2004) ISBN 978-1-59420-033-5
* ''This Blessed Plot: Britain and Europe from Churchill to Blair'' by ] (Macmillan, 1998) ISBN 978-0-333-57992-3
* ''The European Dream: How Europe's Vision of the Future Is Quietly Eclipsing the American Dream'' by Jeremy Rifkin (Jeremy P. Tarcher, 2004) ISBN 978-1-58542-345-3
* ''The Great Deception: The Secret History of the European Union'' by Christopher Booker, Richard North (Continuum International Publishing Group &mdash; Academi, 2003) ISBN 978-0-8264-7105-5
* {{PDFlink||132&nbsp;]<!-- application/pdf, 135753 bytes -->}} by ], Singapore Yearbook of International Law, Vol. 9 (2005), Accessed ], ]
</div>

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Revision as of 12:33, 12 September 2007

PIECE OF SHIT! =)

European Union: Difference between revisions Add topic