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The European Union
The flag of the European Union
Fifteen European
countries joined to form the European Union (EU). Each country
still has its own government that the citizens elect, but each
country is part of this union of some European countries. Altogether,
there are about
374 million citizens of the European Union.
Talks began in 1951 to reach this agreement. The reasons for this union are to improve economic development and strengthen security in Europe, and to make Europe as a whole stronger internationally. In addition to being a citizen of their country, people in the member nations will become European citizens.
In 1993 a single market was created, so that all the member countries traded as one.
In
2002 a single currency was introduced. The 'euro' gradually replaces
the money each member country has used.
To see euro coins,
go here:
http://www.cortland.edu/flteach/Flteach-euro.html
There are five
sections involved in running the European Union:
The European Parliament, elected every 5 years
by the people of the member countries (right);
The Council, representing the governments
of the member countries;
The Commission, which has the right
to introduce legislation (EU laws);
The Court
of Justice,
to enforce the laws and judge whether or not they have been broken;
The Court
of Auditors,
which is responsible for auditing the accounts. 
The European Parliament's main meeting place is in Strasbourg
(above), committee meetings are
held in Brussels (pictured
left),
and the General Secretariat (administration) is in Luxembourg.
The 15 original member countries
of the European Union are: Sweden, Finland, Denmark, United Kingdom, Ireland,
Netherlands, Belgium, France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece,
Austria, Luxembourg, and Germany.
Soon other countries will soon join, but in order to do so, they must agree to the European Union laws.
Australia and the European Union have signed agreements agreeing to co-operate together. Some of the agreements that have been reached concern transfer of nuclear material from Australia to the European Atomic Energy Community; scientific and technical cooperation between the EU and Australia, trade, human rights.
The EU is one
of Australia's largest trading partners, and the largest source
of foreign investment in Australia. Most Australian overseas investments
are in the EU.
Australia's largest exports to the EU are wool, coal and wine.
In turn, the EU exports mainly motor cars, medicines and telecommunications equipment to Australia.
Go
here to read more about the European Union
http://europa.eu.int/inst-en.htm
If you use any part of
this, acknowledge it in your bibliography like this:
The European Union
(2003). [Online],
Available: www.kidcyber.com.au
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