COMPOSITION OF THE EU 1. Austria. 2. Belgium. 3. Bulgaria. 4. UK. 5. Hungary. 6. Germany. 7. Greece. 8. Denmark. 9. Ireland. 10. Spain. 11. Italy. 12. Cyprus. 13. Latvia. 14. Lithuania. 15. Luxembourg. 16. Malta. 17. Netherlands. 18. Poland. 19. Portugal. 20. Romania. 21. Slovenia. 22. Slovakia. 23. Finland. 24. France. 25. Czech Republic. 26. Sweden. 27. Estonia. 28. Croatia

The first step towards the creation of a modern European Union was taken in 1951: Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Italy signed an agreement on the establishment of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), the purpose of which was to pool European resources for production of steel and coal, this agreement entered into force in July 1952. Flag of the ECSC

In order to deepen economic integration, the same six states established the European Economic Community (EEC, Common Market) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) in 1957. The most important and broadest of these three European Communities was the EEC, so in 1993 it was officially renamed the European Community (EC).

Accession Criteria (Copenhagen Criteria) Each country intending to become a member of the European Union (EU) must comply with the conditions laid down in Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union and take into account the main provisions set out therein. The criteria for countries to join the European Union were established in 1993 at the meeting of the European Council in Copenhagen and confirmed in 1995 at the meeting of the European Council in Madrid. To become a member of the EU, a state must meet three conditions: - Political criterion: institutional stability as a guarantor of a democratic and legal state structure, the protection of human rights, as well as respect and protection of the rights of minorities. - Economic criterion: workable market economy and the ability to withstand the pressures of competition and market forces within the Union. - Acceptance of the rules (Acquis) of the Community: the ability to assume the obligations arising from membership in the Union and demonstrate commitment to the goals of political, economic and monetary union (adoption of the “acquis communautaire”, or legal acts of the Community). For the Council of Europe to decide to start accession negotiations, a political criterion must be met. Each candidate country must meet the Entry Criteria.

Development and features of the EU At the initial stage of the existence of the grouping, the main task was to create a single customs area and a market for goods. Later, the countries of Europe took steps towards the creation of a single economic, monetary and political space. Within the organization, in fact, there are no borders and difficulties for the movement of people within the Union. Signing of the Schengen Agreement June 14, 1985 The Schengen Agreement is an agreement on the abolition of passport and visa control at the borders of a number of states of the European Union, originally signed on June 14, 1985 by the European states (Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France and Germany) . It entered into force on March 26, 1995 and ceased to exist on May 1, 1999, being replaced by the EU Schengen legislation.

Monetary union On January 1, 1999, the euro was introduced to the world financial markets as a settlement currency by eleven of the fifteen countries of the union at that time, and on January 1, 2002, banknotes and coins were introduced into cash circulation in twelve countries that are part of the eurozone by that time. The Euro replaced the European Currency Unit (ECU), which was used in the European Monetary System from 1979 to 1998, at a ratio of 1:1. There are currently 19 countries in the Eurozone. The euro is intended to help build a common market by facilitating tourism and trade; elimination of problems related to exchange rates; ensuring transparency and price stability. The eurozone (dark blue) is made up of 19 member states whose official currency is the euro

European Council The highest political body of the EU, consisting of the heads of state and government of member states and their deputy foreign ministers. The members of the European Council are also the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission. The Council determines the main strategic directions development of the EU. The development of a general line of political integration is the main mission of the European Council. It meets at least twice a year, either in Brussels or in the presiding state, chaired by a representative of the member state currently presiding over the Council of the European Union. The meetings last two days.

European Commission European Commission supreme body executive power European Union. Consists of 28 members, one from each Member State. When exercising their powers, they are independent, act only in the interests of the EU, and are not entitled to engage in any other activity. Member States have no right to influence members of the European Commission. The European Commission is formed every 5 years as follows. The European Council proposes a candidate for the President of the European Commission, which is approved by the European Parliament. The Commission plays a central role in ensuring the day-to-day activities of the EU towards the implementation of the fundamental Treaties. It comes up with legislative initiatives, and after approval controls their implementation.

In case of violation of EU legislation, the Commission has the right to resort to sanctions, including appeal to the European Court of Justice. The Commission has significant autonomy in various policy areas, including agricultural, trade, competition, transport, regional, etc. The Commission has an executive apparatus, as well as manages the budget and various funds and programs of the European Union (such as the “TACIS "). The main working languages ​​of the Commission are English, French and German. The headquarters of the European Commission is located in Brussels. TACIS Program Headquarters Brussels

Council of the European Union The Council of the European Union (officially the Council, usually informally referred to as the Council of Ministers), along with the European Parliament, is one of the Union's two legislative bodies and one of its seven institutions. The Council consists of 28 ministers of the governments of the member countries in a composition that depends on the range of issues under discussion. At the same time, despite the different composition, the Council is considered a single body. In addition to legislative powers, the Council also has some executive functions in the area of ​​common foreign and security policy. Headquarters in Brussels

European Parliament The European Parliament is an assembly of 751 members directly elected by the citizens of the EU member states for a term of five years. The President of the European Parliament is elected for two and a half years. Members of the European Parliament are united not on a national basis, but in accordance with a political orientation. The main role of the European Parliament is legislative activity. In addition, almost any decision of the Council of the EU requires either the approval of the Parliament, or at least a request for its opinion. Parliament controls the work of the Commission and has the right to dissolve it. European Parliament in Strasbourg

The Court of Justice of the European Union The Court of Justice of the European Union sits in Luxembourg and is the highest judicial body of the EU. The Court regulates disputes between member states; between Member States and the European Union itself; between EU institutions; between the EU and natural or legal entities, including employees of its bodies. The Court gives opinions on international agreements; it also makes preliminary rulings on requests for interpretation by national courts founding agreements and EU regulations. Decisions of the EU Court of Justice are binding on the territory of the EU. Court of Justice of the European Union in Luxembourg

The Court is composed of 28 judges (one from each of the Member States) and eight Advocates General. They are appointed for a six-year term, renewable. Half of the judges are renewed every three years. The Court played a huge role in the formation and development of EU law. Many, even the fundamental principles of the Union's legal order, are based not on international treaties, but on precedent decisions of the Court. The EU Court of Justice should be distinguished from the European Court of Human Rights

The European Union (European Union) is an association of 27 European states that have signed the Treaty on European Union (Maastricht Treaty). The EU is unique international education: it combines the features of an international organization and a state, but formally it is neither one nor the other. The Union is not a subject of international public law, but has the authority to participate in international relations and plays an important role in them.

To date, the EU includes: Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, France, Great Britain, Denmark, Ireland, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Finland, Sweden, Hungary, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia , Slovenia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Bulgaria, Romania.

The first step towards the creation of a modern European Union was taken in 1951: Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Italy signed an agreement establishing the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), the purpose of which was to pool European resources for the production of steel and coal, by virtue of This agreement entered into force in July 1952.

Since the establishment of the EU, a single market has been created on the territory of all member states. At the moment, the single currency is used by 18 states of the Union, forming the eurozone. The Union, if considered as a single economy, produced in 2009 a gross domestic product in the amount of 14.79 trillion international dollars in terms of purchasing power parity ($ 16.45 trillion at nominal value), which is more than 21% of world production. This puts the economy of the Union in first place in the world in terms of nominal GDP and second in terms of GDP at PPP. In addition, Union largest exporter and the largest importer of goods and services, as well as the most important trading partner of several major countries, such as, for example, China and India. eurozone gross domestic product international dollars purchasing power parity of goods services

The principles governing the monetary union were laid down already in the Treaty of Rome in 1957, and the official goal of the monetary union was in 1969 at the summit in The Hague. However, it was only with the adoption of the Maastricht Treaty in 1993 that the countries of the union were legally obliged to establish a monetary union no later than January 1, 1999. On this day, the euro was introduced to world financial markets as a settlement currency by eleven of the fifteen countries of the Union at that time, and on January 1, 2002, banknotes and coins were introduced into cash circulation in twelve countries that by that time were part of the eurozone Treaty of Rome 1957 summit Maastricht Treaty monetary union banknotes coins

The European Parliament is an assembly of 754 deputies (as amended by the Nice Treaty) directly elected by the citizens of EU member states for a term of five years. The President of the European Parliament is elected for two and a half years. Members of the European Parliament are united not on a national basis, but in accordance with a political orientation. The main role of the European Parliament legislative activity. In addition, almost any decision of the Council of the EU requires either the approval of the Parliament, or at least a request for its opinion. Parliament controls the work of the Commission and has the right to dissolve it.
Science in the European Union has a pronounced innovative orientation. A large-scale research network Future and Emerging Technologie operates under the auspices of the European Union, coordinating the efforts of scientists in developing problems artificial intelligence, virtual reality, robotics, neurophysiology and other high-tech fields. Future and Emerging Technologie virtual reality artificial intelligence robotics and neurophysiology high-tech fields

slide 1

European Union

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The European Union consists of 27 states:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Great Britain, Hungary, Germany, Greece, Denmark, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland, France, Czech Republic, Sweden and Estonia.

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The EU has its own official symbols
- flag and anthem. The flag was approved in 1986 and is a blue panel in the shape of a rectangle with a ratio of length and height of 1.5:1, in the center of which 12 golden stars are located in a circle. For the first time this flag was raised in front of the building of the European Commission in Brussels on May 29, 1986. The EU anthem is Ludwig van Beethoven's "Ode to Joy", a fragment of his Ninth Symphony (which is also the anthem of another pan-European organization - the Council of Europe).

slide 4

President of the European Council
Herman Van Rompuy (at the G8 summit) Position since 1 December 2009 Head of the European Council Appointed by qualified majority of the European Council Term of office 2.5 years, re-elected Salary €298,495.44 per year Position created2009 First in office Herman Van Rompuy
The Belgian Van Rompuy has taken office since 2009, when the Lisbon Treaty came into force. His first term ended on May 31, 2012. On March 1, 2012, Herman Van Rompuy was unanimously re-elected for a second term from June 1, 2012 to November 30, 2014.

slide 5

Although the EU does not have an official capital (member states hold rotating chairs of the Community for half a year according to the Latin alphabet), most of the main institutions of the EU are located in Brussels (Belgium). In addition, some EU bodies are located in Luxembourg, Strasbourg, Frankfurt am Main and other major cities.

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European Union (European Union, EU)
economic and political unification of 27 European states. Aimed at regional integration, the Union was legally secured by the Maastricht Treaty in 1992.

Slide 7

Industry union 1951-1957
During its existence, European integration has undergone a number of qualitative metamorphoses. In 1951, the initial "cell" of the future Union was the Coal and Steel Industry Association (ECSC) - the Treaty of Paris, when the cartelization of two basic industries of the economies of six countries took place. France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg joined the EEC-6 Association. For the first time, the national governments of these countries have voluntarily delegated some of their sovereignty, albeit in a well-defined area, to a supranational organization.

Slide 8

Free Trade Zone 1958-1968
In 1957, the same countries signed the historic Treaties of Rome establishing the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community. The Treaties of Rome, together with the Treaty of Paris, created the institutional foundations of the European Community. The founding day of the EEC is January 1, 1958, when the treaties came into force. All contracts had a common goal - the economic growth and a higher standard of living based on the political union of the peoples of Europe. All three Communities (EEC, ECSC, Euratom) had a common Parliamentary Assembly and Court. In 1958, R. Schumann, an active organizer of European unity, was elected chairman of the Assembly.

Slide 9

Customs Union 1968-1986
In accordance with Article 9 of the Treaty of Rome establishing the European Economic Community, the basis of the Community is the customs union, which covers all trade in goods and provides for the prohibition of import and export duties and any equivalent fees in the trade relations of the Member States, as well as the establishment of a single customs tariff in relations with third countries. Thus the creation customs union had two aspects - internal and external.

Slide 10

Common Market 1986-1992
Since 1987, in accordance with the decisions of the Single European Act, the countries of the European Union are moving into the stage of the Common Market. Not only goods, but also all other factors of production are actually moving within the Community: services, capital, etc. In other words, a common market space is being formed. The full functioning of the latter is impossible without the creation of a single monetary and financial space.

slide 11

The current supranational governance structure of the European Union includes:
European Council (decision-making body) European Parliament (representative and advisory body) EU Council of Ministers (legislative body) European Commission (executive body) European Court of Justice (judicial body), European Union Chamber of Auditors (supervisory body) European Central Bank a number of funds and others institutional structures.

slide 12

slide 13

The jurisdiction of the European Union includes matters relating, in particular, to the common market, the customs union, the single currency (with the preservation of its own currency by some of the members), the common agricultural policy and the common fisheries policy.

Slide 14

Stages of development of integration
World practice shows that national economies are approaching in stages, moving from a simple stage of integration to a more complex one according to the scheme: free trade zone > customs union > common market > economic and monetary unions > full economic and political integration.

slide 15

The main declared goals of the Union include:
1. Promoting economic and social progress and a high level of employment, achieving a balanced and sustainable development, especially through the creation of a space without internal borders, through economic and social cohesion and the creation of an Economic and Monetary Union, including eventually the introduction of a single currency; 2. contributing to the establishment of the identity of the Union in the international arena, especially through the implementation of a common foreign and security policy, including the progressive formation of a common defense policy that could lead to a common defense; 3. strengthening the protection of the rights and interests of citizens of the Member States through the introduction of citizenship of the Union; 4. maintaining and developing the Union as a space of freedom, security and legality, in which the free movement of persons is ensured in conjunction with appropriate measures of control at external borders, the provision of asylum, immigration, the prevention and fight against crime; 5. fully preserve the achievements of the Communities and build on them

slide 16

In 1994, referendums were held in Austria, Finland, Norway and Sweden on joining the EU. The majority of Norwegians again vote against. Austria, Finland (with the Åland Islands) and Sweden become EU members on January 1, 1995. Only Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein remain members of the European Free Trade Association.

Slide 17

May 1, 2004 Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Cyprus, Malta became members of the European Union.

Slide 18

On December 17, 2005, Macedonia was granted official EU candidate status.

Slide 19

The freedom of movement of persons means that a citizen of the European Union can freely move between the countries of the Union for the purposes of residence (including retirement, work and study. Ensuring these opportunities includes facilitation of formalities when moving and mutual recognition of professional qualifications.
Members of the EU use a standardized burgundy-coloured passport design, showing the member country, the coat of arms, and the words "European Union" in the official language(s) of the country.

Slide 20

In non-cash payments, the euro was introduced on January 1, 1999; in cash since January 1, 2002. Euro cash has replaced the national currencies of 13 (out of 27) countries of the European Union. (in brackets - the national currency before the introduction of the euro): Austria (Austrian shilling) Belgium (Belgian franc) Germany (Deutsche mark) Greece (Greek drachma) Ireland (Irish pound) Spain (Spanish peseta) Italy (Italian lira) Luxembourg (Luxembourg franc) ) Netherlands (Dutch guilder) Portugal (escudo) Finland (Finnish Mark) France (French franc)

slide 21

In addition, the euro was also put into circulation: In the dwarf states of Europe, formally not part of the European Union (Vatican, San Marino, Andorra and Monaco) In the overseas departments of France (Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, Reunion) On the islands that are part of part of Portugal (Madeira and the Azores) In the Serbian province of Kosovo, controlled by international peacekeeping forces In Montenegro.
Montenegro
Monaco

slide 22

However, the euro has not been introduced in the following countries and territories (currency in parenthesis): Liechtenstein (microstate of Europe) (Swiss franc) Netherlands Antilles (autonomous region of the Netherlands) (Antilian guilder) Aruba (autonomous region of the Netherlands) (Aruba florin)

slide 23

Russia and the EU
Since 2003, economic relations between the EU and Russia are governed by the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA). The European Union is Russia's main trading partner. The EU accounts for 54% of Russian imports and 39% of Russian exports. After the enlargement of the European Union, Russia's exports to the EU will amount to more than 50% of its total exports. Russia's share in foreign trade The EU is also significant. In 2008, Russia was the EU's fifth trading partner after the US, Switzerland, Japan and China.

slide 24

creation of the Schengen area
The Schengen Agreement is an agreement on the abolition of the passport and customs control a number of states of the "European Union", originally signed on June 14, 1985 by five European states (Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Germany). It entered into force on March 26, 1995. The agreement was signed in Schengen, a small town in Luxembourg. Since then, several other states have joined the agreement; As of the end of 2007, the agreement has been signed by 30 states and is actually valid (with the abolition of border controls) in 25 states: Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Germany, Greece, Denmark, Iceland, Spain, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands , Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland, France, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Sweden, Estonia.

Slide 25

Visa categories
* Category A. Airport transit visa. Issued to those who make an air flight in transit through a country of the Schengen group. It implies permission to stay in the transit territory of the airport zone of the participating country, but does not give the right to move within the country. * Category B. Transit visa, which gives its holder the right to pass one, two or, as an exception, several times through the territory of one of the Schengen member states on the way to a third state, and the duration of the transit stay cannot exceed five days. Not issued since 04/05/2010 Replaced by an ordinary short-stay visa "C" marked "transit", * Category C. Tourist visa, valid for one or more entries, and the duration of continuous stay or the total duration of several stays, starting from the moment of first entry may not exceed three months within six months. This type of visa is not granted to citizens of states that have a visa-free agreement * Category D. National visas for a period of stay exceeding 90 days, but not exceeding 365 days. * Category C+D. A visa that combines the 2 previous categories. Such a visa is issued by one of the Schengen states for a long-term stay for a period not exceeding 365 days in the territory of the state that issued the visa. In addition, it allows its holders to stay in all Schengen countries for the first 3 months

slide 26

In addition to these types of visas in some of the Schengen conventions, there are also other types of visas, the emergence of which is associated with the use of the flexibilities of the Schengen system. * FTD (UTD) and FRTD (FTD-RHD). Simplified transit document. A special type of visa issued only for transit between the main territory of Russia and the Kaliningrad region. * LTV category. Visas with limited territorial validity (Limited territorial validity visa). Short-stay or transit visas issued at the border in exceptional cases. Such a visa gives the right to transit (LTV B) or entry (LTV C) only to the territory of the country or Schengen countries in which it is valid.

Slide 27

This stage of integration is characterized by the following features:
scale of expansion; low socio-economic level of candidate countries; strengthening the urgent need for institutional reform in the EU; priority of political considerations over economic ones.

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European Union The European Union consists of 27 states:

• Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Great Britain, Hungary, Germany, Greece,
• Denmark, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland, France, Czech Republic, Sweden and Estonia.

• - flag and anthem. The flag was approved in 1986 and is a blue panel in the shape of a rectangle with a ratio of length and height of 1.5:1, in the center of which 12 golden stars are located in a circle. For the first time this flag was raised in front of the building of the European Commission in Brussels on May 29, 1986. The EU anthem is Ludwig van Beethoven's "Ode to Joy", a fragment of his Ninth Symphony (which is also the anthem of another pan-European organization - the Council of Europe).

• Herman Van Rompuy (at the G8 summit)
• Position held since December 1, 2009
• Leads the European Council
• Appointed by a qualified majority of the European Council
• Term of office 2.5 years with the possibility of re-election
• Salary298 495.44 € per year
• Position created2009First in position Herman Van Rompuy

• The Belgian Van Rompuy has taken office since 2009, when the Lisbon Treaty came into force. His first term ended on May 31, 2012. On March 1, 2012, Herman Van Rompuy was unanimously re-elected for a second term from June 1, 2012 to November 30, 2014.

• Although the EU does not have an official capital (member states hold rotating chairs of the Community for half a year according to the Latin alphabet), most of the main institutions of the EU are located in Brussels (Belgium). In addition, some EU bodies are located in Luxembourg, Strasbourg, Frankfurt am Main and other major cities.

• economic and political unification of 27 European states. Aimed at regional integration, the Union was legally secured by the Maastricht Treaty in 1992.

• During its existence, European integration has undergone a number of qualitative metamorphoses. In 1951, the initial "cell" of the future Union was the Coal and Steel Industry Association (ECSC) - the Treaty of Paris, when the cartelization of two basic industries of the economies of six countries took place. France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg joined the EEC-6 Association. For the first time, the national governments of these countries have voluntarily delegated some of their sovereignty, albeit in a well-defined area, to a supranational organization.

• In 1957, the same countries signed the historic Treaties of Rome establishing the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community. The Treaties of Rome, together with the Treaty of Paris, created the institutional foundations of the European Community.
• The founding day of the EEC is January 1, 1958, when the treaties came into force. All treaties had a common goal - economic growth and a higher standard of living, based on the political union of the peoples of Europe. All three Communities (EEC, ECSC, Euratom) had a common Parliamentary Assembly and Court. In 1958, R. Schumann, an active organizer of European unity, was elected chairman of the Assembly.

• In accordance with Article 9 of the Treaty of Rome establishing the European Economic Community, the basis of the Community is the customs union, which covers all trade in goods and provides for the prohibition of import and export duties and any equivalent fees in the trade relations of the Member States, as well as the establishment of a single customs tariff in relations with third countries. Thus, the creation of a customs union had two aspects - internal and external.

• Since 1987, in accordance with the decisions of the Single European Act, the countries of the European Union are moving into the stage of the Common Market. Not only goods, but also all other factors of production are actually moving within the Community: services, capital, etc. In other words, a common market space is being formed. The full functioning of the latter is impossible without the creation of a single monetary and financial space.

• European Council (decision-making body)
• European Parliament (representative and advisory body)
• EU Council of Ministers (legislature)
• European Commission (executive body)
• European Court of Justice (judicial body), European Union Chamber of Auditors (supervisory body)
• European Central Bank
• a range of foundations and other institutional structures.

• The jurisdiction of the European Union includes matters relating, in particular, to the common market, the customs union, the single currency (with the preservation of its own currency by some of the members), the common agricultural policy and the common fisheries policy.

• World practice shows that national economies converge in stages, moving from a simple stage of integration to a more complex one according to the scheme:
• free trade zone >
• customs union >
• common market >
• economic and monetary unions >
• full economic and political integration.

• 1. promoting economic and social progress and high levels of employment, achieving balanced and sustainable development, especially through the creation of a space without internal borders, through economic and social cohesion and the establishment of an Economic and Monetary Union, including eventually the introduction of a single currency;
• 2. contributing to the establishment of the identity of the Union in the international arena, especially through the implementation of a common foreign and security policy, including the progressive formation of a common defense policy that could lead to a common defense;
• 3. strengthening the protection of the rights and interests of citizens of the Member States through the introduction of citizenship of the Union;
• 4. maintaining and developing the Union as a space of freedom, security and legality, in which the free movement of persons is ensured in conjunction with appropriate measures of control at external borders, the provision of asylum, immigration, the prevention and fight against crime;
• 5. fully preserve the achievements of the Communities and build on them

• In 1994, referendums were held in Austria, Finland, Norway and Sweden on joining the EU. The majority of Norwegians again vote against.
• Austria, Finland (since Aland Islands) and Sweden become members of the EU on January 1, 1995.
• Only Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein remain members of the European Free Trade Association.

• May 1, 2004 Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Cyprus, Malta became members of the European Union.

• On December 17, 2005, Macedonia was granted official EU candidate status.

• EU members use standardized design passports in burgundy, indicating the member country, the coat of arms and the inscription "European Union" in the official language (or languages) of the country.

• In non-cash payments, the euro was introduced on January 1, 1999; in cash since January 1, 2002. Euro cash has replaced the national currencies of 13 (out of 27) countries of the European Union.
• (in brackets - the national currency before the introduction of the euro):
• Austria (Austrian shilling)
• Belgium (Belgian franc)
• Germany (DM)
• Greece (Greek Drachma)
• Ireland (Irish pound)
• Spain (Spanish peseta)
• Italy (Italian Lira)
• Luxembourg (Luxembourgish franc)
• Netherlands (Dutch guilder)
• Portugal (escudo)
• Finland (Finland stamp)
• France (French franc)

• In addition, euros were also put into circulation:
• In the dwarf states of Europe, formally not part of the European Union (Vatican, San Marino, Andorra and Monaco)
• In the overseas departments of France (Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, Reunion)
• On the islands that are part of Portugal (Madeira and Azores)
• In the Serbian province of Kosovo, controlled by international peacekeeping forces
• In Montenegro.

• Montenegro

• Monaco

• However, the euro has not been introduced in the following countries and territories (currency in parentheses):
• Liechtenstein (microstate of Europe) (Swiss franc)
• Netherlands Antilles (autonomous region of the Netherlands) (antilles guilder)
• Aruba (autonomous region of the Netherlands) (Aruba florin)

• Since 2003, economic relations between the EU and Russia have been governed by the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA).
• The European Union is Russia's main trading partner. The EU accounts for 54% of Russian imports and 39% of Russian exports. After the enlargement of the European Union, Russia's exports to the EU will amount to more than 50% of its total exports. Russia's share in EU foreign trade is also significant. In 2008, Russia was the EU's fifth trading partner after the US, Switzerland, Japan and China.

• The Schengen Agreement is an agreement on the abolition of passport and customs control of a number of states of the "European Union", originally signed on June 14, 1985 by five European states (Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Germany). It entered into force on March 26, 1995. The agreement was signed in Schengen, a small town in Luxembourg
• Since then, several other states have joined the agreement; As of the end of 2007, the agreement has been signed by 30 states and is actually valid (with the abolition of border controls) in 25 states: Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Germany, Greece, Denmark, Iceland, Spain, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands , Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland, France, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Sweden, Estonia.

• * Category A. Airport transit visa. Issued to those who make an air flight in transit through a country of the Schengen group. It implies permission to stay in the transit territory of the airport zone of the participating country, but does not give the right to move within the country.
• * Category B. A transit visa that gives its holder the right to pass one, two or, as an exception, several times through the territory of one of the Schengen member states en route to a third state, and the duration of the transit stay cannot exceed five days. Not issued since 04/05/2010. Replaced by an ordinary short-stay visa "C" marked "transit",
• * Category C. A tourist visa valid for one or more entries, whereby the duration of an uninterrupted stay or the total duration of several stays, starting from the moment of the first entry, cannot exceed three months within half a year. This type of visa is not granted to citizens of states that have an agreement on visa-free
• * Category D. National visas for a period of stay exceeding 90 days, but not exceeding 365 days.
• * Category C+D. A visa that combines the 2 previous categories. Such a visa is issued by one of the Schengen states for a long-term stay for a period not exceeding 365 days in the territory of the state that issued the visa. In addition, it allows its holders to stay in all Schengen countries for the first 3 months

• In addition to these types of visas in some of the Schengen conventions, there are also other types of visas, the emergence of which is associated with the use of the flexibilities of the Schengen system.
• * FTD (UTD) and FRTD (FTD-RHD). Simplified transit document. A special type of visa issued only for transit between the main territory of Russia and the Kaliningrad region.
• * LTV category. Visas with limited territorial validity (Limited territorial validity visa). Short-stay or transit visas issued at the border in exceptional cases. Such a visa gives the right to transit (LTV B) or entry (LTV C) only to the territory of the country or Schengen countries in which it is valid.

• scale of expansion;
• low socio-economic level of candidate countries;
• strengthening the urgent need for institutional reform in the EU;
• priority of political considerations over economic ones.

The European Economic Union is an international organization uniting 27 independent states of Europe, based on the Council of Europe and founded to increase political, economic and social cooperation. To date, the EU is the most effective, authoritative and dynamic among such supranational "structures".

Common Market”, a state-monopoly organization of 6 Western European countries: France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, created in order to unite the national economies of the participating countries into a single “Common Market”. The agreement on the establishment of the EEC was signed in March 1957 in Rome and entered into force on January 1. The official goal of creating the EEC was to achieve "comprehensive development economic activity"on the scale of the entire community, "constant and even development, increasing stability, the speedy improvement of living standards and closer ties between the states that it unites", through the creation of a "Common Market". Under the "Common Market" is meant such an association (integration) of the national markets of the participating countries, which provides for: the gradual elimination of all restrictions on trade between them; introduction of a common customs tariff in trade with third countries; removal of obstacles to the free movement of "persons, capital and services"; implementation of a common policy in the field of transport and economy; development of harmonization principles economic policy countries-participants; Establishment of Uniform Rules of Competition US ruling circles supported the creation of the EEC, counting on its help to strengthen the economic base of NATO and rally the forces of Western European imperialism in the struggle against the world communist movement. However, the community has become a strong competitor to the United States, squeezing them out on world markets. Hopes for the strengthening of NATO did not come true either.

Principles of functioning of the European Union: The EEC was originally based on the rule of law and democracy. The historical diversity of countries, regions and cultures must be preserved. This goal is clearly stated in the provisions of the EEC Treaty. The principle of subsidiarity plays a paramount role in this policy. Following this principle, the EU takes on only those tasks that it can handle better than the national and local authorities of the Member States.

The EEC consists of 27 states: Sweden Finland Denmark Ireland England Netherlands Germany Estonia Hungary Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Austria France Italy Greece Spain Belgium Malta Poland Slovakia Slovenia Bulgaria Romania Portugal Cyprus Czech Republic EEC building in Brussels

Today, the European Community, the world's largest trade and economic bloc of 27 states, is Russia's main political and economic partner. The EU accounts for about 40% of Russian exports and about 1/3 of foreign investment in the Russian economy. Russia ranks 6th in the list of country exporters to the EU and 7th among importers, but the problem is that Russia's main export to the EEC is energy, especially natural gas, the percentage of deliveries of the Russian Federation of other goods and the European Union is negligible.

Established in 1960 to create a free trade area, the original members were the UK, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Switzerland and Portugal. Flag of EFTA Headquarters Geneva (Switzerland)

The Stockholm Convention was subsequently replaced by the Vaduz Convention. This Convention provided for the liberalization of trade among the member states of the association by 1970 by reducing customs duties and curtailing quantitative restrictions. EFTA was limited to more modest tasks than the EEC. Under the Stockholm Convention, the EFTA customs policy applied only to manufactured goods. EFTA countries did not introduce single tariff on products imported from third countries and kept national customs duties, thus carrying out independent trade policy. The European Free Trade Association is governed by the EFTA Council. The Council meets twice a month at the level of ministers or permanent representatives. In its activities it relies on a number of committees: customs experts, trade experts, economic committee, advisory committee (representatives of business and trade unions, up to five people from each member state), committee of parliamentarians, budget committee, etc. Expert groups convened from time to time consider specific issues. The Council monitors the implementation of the EFTA Convention and develops recommendations to the governments of the participating countries. The Secretariat, headed by the Secretary General, provides support to the Council, committees and expert groups. Six departments of the secretariat are responsible for trade, economics, integration, press and information, etc. The EFTA secretariat is located in Geneva (Switzerland). In connection with the Agreement on the European Economic Area of ​​1992, two more EFTA organizations were established: the EFTA Supervisory Body and the EFTA Court. The EFTA Supervisory Body is headquartered in Brussels (same as the headquarters of the European Commission), while the EFTA Court is headquartered in Luxembourg (same as the Court of Justice of the European Union). All governing bodies of the Association, in contrast to the bodies of the EEC, perform mainly advisory functions.

Finland became an associate member in 1961 (became a full member in 1986), Iceland joined EFTA in 1970. Liechtenstein joined in 1991 (previously represented by Switzerland in EFTA). Great Britain (1973), Denmark (1973), Portugal (1986), Finland (1995), Austria (1995), Sweden (1995) left the EFTA and became members of the EU. EFTA flag since 1995

Council supreme decision-making body (members of the Council of EFTA, members of the European Commission, one representative from each member of the EFTA), Joint Parliamentary Committee. Medical services in the CES; Open method coordination and CES; Energy and climate change and implications for the SES; EU future maritime policy and the EEA, as well as Environmental issues of the European Northern Summits Joint Committee forum for the exchange of views and information, decision-making body (high officials of the Commission and EU and EFTA Member States), Advisory Committee (members of the Economic and Social EU Committee, members of the EFTA Advisory Committee).

The day-to-day affairs of EFTA are handled by a permanent Secretariat. All governing bodies of the Association, in contrast to the bodies of the EEC, perform mainly advisory functions. In addition, in connection with the Agreement on the European Economic Area of ​​1992, two more EFTA organizations were established: the EFTA Supervisory Body and the EFTA Court. The EFTA Supervisory Body is headquartered in Brussels (same as the headquarters of the European Commission), while the EFTA Court is headquartered in Luxembourg (same as the European Court of Justice).

EFTA members currently have 24 free trade agreements (covering 33 countries) with the following partners: Korea, Republic of Lebanon Macedonia Mexico Montenegro Morocco Palestinian Authority Peru Serbia Singapore Albania Canada Chile Colombia Croatia Egypt Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Hong Kong, China Israel Jordan South African Customs Union (SACU) Tunisia Turkey Ukraine

At the initial stage of integration between the participants, customs duties and quantitative restrictions on mutual trade were abolished, but each participating country still retained its national customs tariff for third countries. In the same period, the coordination of domestic economic policy began (primarily in the Agriculture). Almost simultaneously with the EEC, since 1960, another Western European integration group began to develop - the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). If France played the leading role in the organization of the EEC, then Great Britain became the initiator of EFTA. Initially, the EFTA was more numerous than the EEC - in 1960 it included 7 countries (Austria, Great Britain, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Switzerland, Sweden), later it included 3 more countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Finland). However, the EFTA partners were far more heterogeneous than the EEC members. In addition, the UK outperformed economic strength all of its EFTA partners combined, while the EEC had three centers of power (Germany, France, Italy), and the most economically powerful country in the EEC did not have absolute superiority. All this predetermined the less successful fate of the second Western European grouping. The second stage of Western European integration, the customs union, turned out to be the longest - from 1968 to During this period, the member countries of the integration group introduced common external customs tariffs for third countries, setting the level of single customs tariff rates for each commodity item as the arithmetic average of national rates Strong economic crisis 1973–1975 somewhat slowed down the integration process, but did not stop it. Since 1979, the European Monetary System began to operate. The success of the EEC made it a center of attraction for other Western European countries

It is important to note that most of the EFTA countries (first Great Britain and Denmark, then Portugal, in 1995 3 countries at once) “crossed over” to the EEC from EFTA, thus proving the advantages of the first grouping over the second. In essence, EFTA turned out to be, for most of its participants, a kind of launching pad for joining the EEC/EU. The third stage of Western European integration, 1987-1992, was marked by the creation of a common market. According to the Single European Act of 1986, the formation of a single market in the EEC was planned as "a space without internal borders, in which the free movement of goods, services, capital and civilians is ensured." To do this, it was supposed to eliminate border customs posts and passport control, unify technical standards and taxation systems, and conduct mutual recognition of educational certificates. Because the world economy experienced an upsurge, all these measures were implemented fairly quickly. In the 1980s, the bright achievements of the EU became a model for the creation of other regional integration blocs of developed countries that fear their economic backwardness. In 1988, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was concluded between the United States and Canada, in 1992 Mexico joined this union. In 1989, on the initiative of Australia, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) organization was formed, whose members initially included 12 countries - both highly developed and newly industrialized (Australia, Brunei, Canada, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, USA). The fourth stage of Western European integration, the development of an economic union, began in 1993 and continues to this day. His main achievements were the transition to the single Western European currency, the euro, which was completed in 2002, and the introduction, in 1999, in accordance with the Schengen Convention, of a single visa regime.