|
The European Union was officially recognised back in 1957 under the name of the EC, (European Community,) with the six founding states: Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Italy and West Germany as well as the United Kingdom joining in 1973.
The EC was then renamed the European Union on the 1st November, 1993 under the rules of the Maastricht treaty. The Maastricht treaty was described by British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher as, "A treaty too far."
The EU is funded through tax payers' money across Europe, with the wealthier countries obviously contributing more than the less well off nations. These countries up to the year 2000 were: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. A further 10 countries joined the above 15 to make the 25 nations which makes the EU what it is to this date. They are: The Greek section of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.
The EU consists of three branches. Firstly, the European Commission. Secondly, the European Parliament and finally, the European Council. The European Commission takes care of the day to day goings on of the EU and is considered the lowest in the chain as the European Parliament has the right to sack the European Commission at anytime. The European Parliament also have the power to make decisions regarding laws and the budget of Europe. Yet, the parliament do NOT have complete power and authority on those matters due to the fact that the European Council has to approve ALL legislation.
|