Presentation to Rotary Club March 2007 on EUROPEAN

EUROPEAN UNIONA short historical reviewTo celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, on March 25th, 1957: 

EUROPEAN UNION A short historical review To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, on March 25th, 1957 For the Rotary Club of Toronto March 23rd, 2007 By Christian Frayssignes, President, EUCOCIT

What is EUROPE?: 

What is EUROPE? A Continent A vast cluster of countries, cultures, civilizations Bust also… A global political and economical super power…the world largest trading power The home of most of the top 10 most powerful countries An Union of 27 countries with ½ billion people with no stop at most borders, nor passport to travel

How did EUROPE became an UNION?: 

How did EUROPE became an UNION? After centuries of wars in Europe, the feeling after WW II was… …”It should never happen again” And Unification was a way to achieve “peace for ever” From Victor Hugo (US of E, late 18th century) to the 1945-50 period: Robert Schuman, Konrad Adenauer, Winston Churchill, Alcide de Corteli

How did EUROPE became an UNION?: 

How did EUROPE became an UNION? Historic start: May 9th, 1950 Robert Schuman, French Minister of Foreign Affairs, makes a key speech (using Jean Monnet ideas) to propose that France and the Federal Republic of Germany pool their coal and steel resources in new organization that other countries can join. Rich symbol: use the raw materials of war as tools of reconciliation and peace

How did EUROPE became an UNION?: 

How did EUROPE became an UNION? April 18th, 1951: Treaty of Paris is signed, Creating the ECSC (European Coal and Steel Community) Belgium Federal Republic of Germany France Italy Luxemburg Netherlands = 6 ………..to start on July 23rd, 1952, for 50 years

Milestones: 

Milestones March 25th, 1957: Treaty of Rome The 6 countries established: The EEC (European Economic Community) a “common market” Will lead to the abolition of custom duties on industrial goods by July 1st 1968 & The EURATOM (European Atomic Energy Community)

Milestones: 

Milestones 1965: ECSC, EEC & EURATOM executive bodies merge Dec. 1969: La Hague Summit: further European integration is decided Jan.1st, 1973: Denmark, Ireland and United Kingdom join the EEC (Norway stays out) = 9 1975: Lome Convention 1 with 46 African, Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP)

Milestones: 

Milestones June 1979: 1st direct (“universal”) elections to the 410 seats of the European Parliament Jan. 1st, 1981: Greece joins the EEC = 10 June 1984: 2nd direct elections to the E. Parliament Jan. 1985: 1st President of the European Commission: Jacques Delors (85-95) June 1985: Schengen Agreement: decision to abolish border’s checks

Milestones: 

Milestones Jan. 1986: Spain and Portugal join =12 1989: Nov. 9th: Fall of the Berlin Wall Oct. 3 1990: German unification Feb. 7, 1992: Maastricht Treaty establishing the European Union (EU) “single market” basis (single economic and monetary union, including single currency + foreign and security policies, cooperation on justice and home affairs) is signed Jan 1st, 1993: the single market is created

Milestones: 

Milestones Jan 1995: New president: Jacques Santer (1995-99) Jan 1st, 1999: 11 countries adopt the Euro for non cash transactions (Greece will join in 2001). Monetary policies responsibility goes to the Central Bank Sept 1999: New President: Romano Prodi (1999-2004) Dec. 2001: Creation of a Convention of 105 members, chaired by Valery Giscard D’Estaing, to draft the 1st EU Constitution

Milestones: 

Milestones Jan 1st, 2002: Euro notes and coins are introduced in 12 countries. Single common currency! July 2003: Draft Constitution is completed May 1st, 2004: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia joint the EU = 25 Oct. 29th, 2004: The European Constitution is adopted in Rome (to be indiv. ratified by members)

Milestones: 

Milestones Nov 2004: New president: Jose Manuel Barrosso (2004- ) May 29th 2005: French voters reject the Constitution June 1st 2005: Dutch voters reject the Constitution Jan 1st 2007: Bulgaria and Romania join the EU = 27 ……...> 500 million people! A lot of other decisions on organization, principles, negotiations with other candidates, strategies,…

NOT “IN”: 

NOT “IN” 1- No interest from the voters: Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Switzerland 2- Under Review: Turkey, Croatia, Ukraine 3- “Waiting list”: Balkans: Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia. Ex Soviet Union countries ?

Some EU symbols and facts: 

Some EU symbols and facts European Commission Annual operating Budget: Euro 120 billion ($180 Bcad) <1.24 % of total GDP EU Flag: 12 stars (gold on blue background): ideals of perfection, completeness and unity EU anthem: L V Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy from the 9th Symphony Europe Day: May 9th (Robert Schuman’s Day) 23 official languages (since Jan. 20 before) Motto: “United in diversity”

How does it work?: 

How does it work? ....It will take a long time and few specialists to explain! ………….

Main EU Institutions: 

Main EU Institutions European Commission (EC): The Executive for 5 years, 1 member per country (27), 1 president, EU interest as a whole, not country of origin Propose the laws, make sure that laws are respected, implements policies, spends the budget HQ in Brussels. Some departments in Luxembourg, and representations / delegations in all EU Member States and most other parts of the world. 25,000 civil servants European Parliament: 785 MEPs, according to country poulation (Germany 99…..Malta 5) 8 political groups (#1 Christian Democrats #2 Socialists #3 Liberals #4 & #5 Greens Pass the laws, approve the EC budget Most plenary sessions in Strasbourg, but also some plenary sessions plus most other meetings in Brussels. Some secretariat functions are located in Luxembourg. Council of the EU (or Council of Ministers): 27 countries = 345 votes (population: D, F, I, UK: 29 each; S, P: 27; ..Malta:3) Main decision making body 1 minister / country…by topic: Foreign A, Agricl, industry, Envir…. Pass the laws (with Parliament) HQ in Brussels, but many meetings take place in president country.

EU Institutions...: 

EU Institutions... - European Central Bank: President Jean Claude Trichet Euro currency, interest rates. HQ in Frankfurt - European Council: Presidents and/or Prime ministers Up to 4 times a year - EU Court of Justice - EU Court of Auditors - EU Economic and Social Committee - EU Committee of the Regions - EU Investment Bank -….. -

Main EU institutions: 

Main EU institutions The European Investment Bank The European Parliament The Court of Auditors The European Court of Justice European Commission The Council of Ministers Economic and Social Committee Committee of the Regions The European Central Bank (ECB) Directive Regulation

Canada-Europe: 

Canada-Europe Since the founders came from the UK and France a few centuries ago, a lot of European countries emigrants help populate and build Canada We are perceived in the world to be more “European than Americans” We have a big space in our heart for Europe Etc… ……………..BUT…

Canada-Europe: 

Canada-Europe But… Our way of life: habitat, urban development, shopping habits and locations, nutrition (fast food)…..get more and more influenced by our big southern neighbor and less by our European origins (and other continents more recently)

Canada-Europe: 

Canada-Europe BUT… When it come to business we do 85% of our trade with the US (300 million people) and only Exports: $24.7 b (2005) or 5.5% of total! Imports: $45.6 b (2005) or 11.7% of total! With the >5oo million “cousins” across the pond

Canada-Europe: 

Canada-Europe And Europe is “ahead of the game” in a few areas that could be of interest to Canadians Infrastructure: Roads, Trains (TGV Network) “Cleaner”: beaches, but…. mainly vehicle emissions, industrial, waste disposal regulations.. Sustainable development is not a new word Atomic energy has been supplying a lot of power for decades “Renewable energies” have decades of experience and uses behind Financial players in the world (UK, F…) etc… let’s do more business with EUROPE!

EU Mission for the 21st Century: 

EU Mission for the 21st Century Not only a community of people with a single market, currency, constitution, passport heading…but strong values, a model for some. Provide peace, prosperity and stability for its peoples Overcome the divisions in the continent Ensure that its peoples can live in safety Promote balanced economic and social development Meet the challenges of globalization and preserve the diversity of the peoples of Europe Uphold the values that Europeans share, such as sustainable development and a sound environment, respect for human rights and the social market economy

Reading: The European Dream: “How Europe's Vision of the Future Is Quietly Eclipsing the American Dream”. By Jeremy Rifkin (2004): 

Reading: The European Dream: “How Europe's Vision of the Future Is Quietly Eclipsing the American Dream”. By Jeremy Rifkin (2004) “The new Europe has its own cultural vision -- and it may be better than ours” "[Rikfin's] major achievement in The European Dream is to draw together and cohere the complex historical, philosophical, and theological forces that have created such very different worldviews for shaping the future for us and our neighbors across the pond.... “Americans used to say that the American Dream is worth dying for. The new European Dream is worth living for”.

Reading: 

Reading Web sites: europa.eu.int eurostat euractiv.com ec.europa.eu (Europe in 12 lessons, Oct 2006) And many more…

EUCOCITEuropean Union Chamber of Commerce in Toronto: 

EUCOCIT European Union Chamber of Commerce in Toronto 10 years old (D, F, UK) 19 members countries (+4 associates) No membership (1 rep./country as Director) Not for profit. Volunteer driven & run 2 large events + 7 EBC networking a year EBC averages 130 attendees Next one: Thursday March 29th @ Board of Trade “EU Rendez-vous (Friendship in business)”: May 15th, 2007 at Delta Chelsea. 800 to 1,000 people