Key facts and figures about the European Union

The European Union (EU) covers a large part of the continent of Europe. In May 2004, its membership increased from 15 to 25. When two more countries join in 2007, the EU will have a population of nearly half a billion.

The European Union aims to be a fair and caring society. All EU countries are committed to peace, democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights, and they work together to promote these values in the wider world.

To become more competitive and prosperous, the EU is creating new and better jobs and giving its citizens new skills. In partnership with its near neighbours, the EU is also working to spread prosperity and democratic progress beyond its borders.

This booklet sets out many basic facts about the European Union, and presents up-to-date figures in a series of clear and entertaining graphs and illustrations.

European Commission
Manuscript completed in February 2004

2004 - 79 pp. - 22.2 x 26.2 cm
Catalogue number: NA-56-03-772-EN-C

Travelling in Europe - 2008

Europe: a continent with thousands of years of history, a rich cultural heritage and some of the world's most beautiful scenery. So much for the traveller to discover! What's more, the European Union (EU) has done a lot to make travelling in Europe simpler. Within the EU, you can cross most borders without being checked and the euro makes it easier to shop around for bargains.

If you drive, your driving licence and motor insurance policy issued in an EU country are valid in the other countries, and you can use your mobile phone everywhere. 

Travelling in Europe 2005 is also published on the internet in an extended version, which provides links to more detailed information on the subjects covered: europa.eu.int/abc/travel

European Commission

2005 - Map-leaflet
folded: 22.5 x 10.5 cm - flat: 73,5 x 45 cm
Catalogue No: NA-62-04-688-EN-C

Europe in 12 lessons
by Pascal Fontaine

What purpose does the EU serve? Why and how was it set up? How does it work? What has it already achieved for its citizens, and what new challenges does it face today? As it expands to embrace 25 or 30 countries, how must the European Union change? In an age of globalisation, can the EU compete successfully with other major economies? Can Europe continue to play a leading role on the world stage?

These are just some of the questions Pascal Fontaine - EU expert and former university lecturer - explores in this fascinating booklet. Clear, readable and fully updated in 2003, Europe in 12 lessons is the successor to his very popular Europe in 10 points.

European Commission

Manuscript completed in October 2003

2003 - 62 pp. - 16.2 x 22.9 cm
Catalogue number: NA-46-02-662-EN-C

How the Europeans see themselves -
Looking through the mirror with public opinion surveys

Since 1973, the European Commission has been measuring public opinion to inform itself about the views of European Union citizens and to share the obtained information with the general public. The purpose of this brochure is to present a selection of findings from these surveys. It provides readers with a picture of how Europeans see themselves by looking at a variety of subjects: citizens' values and life satisfaction at the end of the 20th century, European citizenship, public opinion towards the European Union, public support for the policies of the European Union, public opinion towards a number of issues that EU citizens worry about, people's expectations of the 21st century, etc. Bibliographical data

European Commission

Manuscript completed in September 2000
2000 - 56 pp. - 16.2 x 22.9 cm
N° cat. NC-31-00-910-EN-C

The EU at a glance in 3000 words: this brief leaflet introduces the European Union and its institutions and explores how the EU has changed daily life in 8 main policy areas. The leaflet also contains a 43 x 48 cm geographical map of Europe.

Manuscript completed in January 2005

2005- Map-leaflet
folded: 22.5 x 10.5 cm - flat: 68 x 45 cm
Catalogue number: NA-62-04-228-EN-D

Healthy food for Europe's citizens
The European Union and food quality

The quality of the food we eat has become one the biggest concerns for Europe's citizens. This brochure explains the role of the European Union (EU) in maintaining the highest standards of food safety and quality.  The EU agricultural policy encourages farmers to produce a large choice of quality foodstuff, including organic production. European-wide legislation serves to keep food free of harmful substances and to keep consumers well informed though the labels on the food. The EU Food and Veterinary Office monitors whether safety rules are followed. Also the EU-activities related to new technology and to the global trade rules have an impact on our daily food.

Manuscript completed in January 2000

2000 - 22 pp. - 16.2 x 22.9 cm
Catalogue number: PH-26-99-231-EN-C

Going for growth
The economy of the EU

Economic and social progress and constant improvements in living and working conditions are fundamental objectives for the European Union. Experience over the last five decades shows clearly that economic integration (removing barriers to the free movement of goods, services, money and people) gives Europe a much better chance of creating jobs and sustainable growth. Much has already been achieved: the customs union, then the single market and, most recently, economic and monetary union (EMU).
EMU and the euro were, however, stepping stones, not destinations. There is plenty of unfinished business. The EU needs to remove the remaining barriers that still confine research, public purchasing and the provision of financial services within national borders. Fostering the entrepreneurial spirit, innovation and an e-Europe will make a still stronger economy that can create quality jobs and protect social welfare systems.

Manuscript completed in September 2003

Catalogue number: NA-47-02-357-EN-C

Making globalisation work for everyone
The European Union and world trade

Globalisation means that the flows of goods, services, capital, technologies and people are spreading worldwide, as countries everywhere open up to wider contact with each other. Globalisation can create more wealth for everybody, but it can also be disruptive and needs to be harnessed by international rules. When business goes global, the rules for fair play must also be set globally. 
The European Union (EU) represents all its Member States on questions of trade policy and within the World Trade Organisation. This booklet describes how the EU works for transparent and fair trade rules worldwide, and tries to mitigate the negative sides of globalisation by making sure that the developing countries benefit from free trade. The European Union involves citizens in trade policy and includes environmental and social rules in trade agreements.

Manuscript completed in December 2002

2002 - 19 pp. -16,2 x 22,9 cm
Catalogue number: NA-40-01-375-EN-C

Choices for a greener future
The European Union and the environment

Protecting our global environment is not a job for individual governments alone. Effective action is needed to improve the quality of people's lives while at the same time safeguarding the nature and combating problems like climate change. This calls for cooperation and partnership throughout society and at the international level.

The European Union has some 30 years' experience of making policy and implementing action to conserve our natural heritage. It has achieved significant results, but much more remains to be done to ensure a cleaner, healthier environment for European citizens, their children, and generations yet to come.

Manuscript completed in February 2002

2002 - 26 pp. - 16.2 x 22.9 cm
Catalogue number: NA-40-01-464-EN-C

The customs policy of the European Union

The Customs Policy of the European Union is a foundation of the Union and an essential element in the functioning of the single market. The single market can only function properly where there are common rules applied in a common way at its external borders - fifteen Customs administrations acting as one. These common rules go beyond the Customs Union as such - with its common tariff - and extend to all aspects of trade policy, such as preferential trade, health and environmental controls, the common agricultural and fisheries policies, the protection of our economic interests by non-tariff instruments and external relations policy measures. Customs are facing new imperatives to keep trade flowing, but under control, and modern methods are being introduced and co-operation between the services is being reinforced.

Manuscript completed in 1999

1999 - 30 pp. - 16.2 x 22.9 cm
Catalogue number: CQ-19-98-964-EN-C

Tax policy in the European Union

The European Union has a single market and single currency but needs a tax policy. What will this involve ?

Manuscript completed in 2000

2000 - 38 pp. - 16.2 x 22.9 cm
Catalogue number: CQ-26-99-102-EN-C

European solidarity with the victims of humanitarian crises
Humanitarian aid and the European Union

Every year, more and more people are the victims of humanitarian crises - whether man-made conflicts or natural disasters. The worst hit are civilians, and in particular the most vulnerable sectors of society. As a result, Europe has an ever more crucial role to play in bringing relief to those who suffer. As crises have proliferated across the world over the last decade, the EU has stepped up its humanitarian and reconstruction activities. In the course of the year 2000, ECHO, the EU service responsible for humanitarian aid, provided assistance to over 18 million people in need.

Manuscript completed in November 2001

2001 - 17 pp. - 16.2 x 22.9 cm
Catalogue number: NA-33-00-695-EN-C

More unity and more diversity
The European Union's biggest enlargement

The 2004 enlargement of the European Union finally heals the rift opened up by the East-West confrontation and the Cold War. The newcomers from central and eastern Europe, together with Malta and Cyprus, are legitimate members whose peoples share the same goals of democracy, liberty and prosperity as other EU citizens. They have met the strict criteria for joining the Union. Enlargement will stimulate economic growth in EU countries both new and old - for the benefit of all.
The integration process is already well under way. Even before formal accession, the EU opened its markets to exports from the newcomers, who also benefited from the Union's assistance programmes. Enlargement has raised concerns among citizens from existing and new member states, but there are adequate responses to meet them. An EU of 25 will create new relationships with its neighbours and the wider world.

Manuscript completed in November 2003

Catalogue number: NA-47-02-389-EN-C

Freedom, security and justice for all
Justice and home affairs in the European Union

One of the European Union's remarkable achievements over the past half century has been to create a large frontier-free area within which people can move around unhindered by border checks. EU citizens are also free to choose which EU country they wish to live and work in.
But if these freedoms are to be fully enjoyed, the EU must manage its external borders effectively. Its national judicial authorities and police forces must also work closely together to ensure that people everywhere in the EU are equally protected from crime, have equal access to justice and can fully exercise their rights. 
The European Union is developing a more coordinated asylum and immigration policy so that asylum applicants are treated fairly in the same way and the legal immigrants the EU needs are integrated into European societies. Action is also being taken to prevent abuses of the system and to tackle illegal immigration.
Finally, in a globalised world, it is only by working together that EU countries can effectively combat international crime and terrorism. 
Taken together and fully implemented, this package of measures will guarantee that the Union is indeed a single area of freedom, security and justice for all.

Manuscript completed in January 2004

Catalogue number: NA-56-03-756-EN-C

Towards a knowledge-based Europe
The European Union and the information society

The Internet is changing the world we live in, and the challenge for Europe is to embrace the digital age and become a truly knowledge-based economy. The way in which the European Union manages this transition will help determine our quality of life, our working conditions and the overall competitiveness of our industries and services.
"eEurope" is the EU's scheme for guiding this process of change and for modernising our education and vocational training systems to ensure digital literacy at school and in the workplace.
eEurope and the related education strategy have become the driving force behind the EU's push to become the most competitive knowledge-based economy in the world by 2010.

Manuscript completed in October 2002

2002 - 19 pp. - 16.2 x 22.9 cm
Catalogue number: NA-40-01-989-EN-C

Europe - an area for research

Europe, as the historical cradle of modern science interconnected by a network of universities, research centres, industrial laboratories and innovative SMEs, has one of the richest potentials of grey matter in the world. Each country in it has its scientific traditions, its strengths and its specific features. Since the start of the 1980s the European Union's framework programmes have brought fresh momentum based on transnational cooperation. Benefiting from ever increasing resources and targeting priorities which have emerged from a broad-based consultation of the competent political authorities, the scientific world, the business sector, and user representatives, these programmes are putting in place the bare bones of a genuine European research area. An area at the services of its citizens as is shown by the objectives pursued, which correspond to the wide-ranging needs of a changing society.

Manuscript completed in January 2000

2000 - 31 pp. - 16.2 x 22.9 cm
Catalogue number: PH-26-99-239-EN-C

A world player
The European Union's external relations

The sheer size of the European Union in economic, trade and financial terms makes it a world player. It has a web of agreements with most countries and regions of the globe. The biggest international trader and home to the euro - the world's second currency - the EU spends € 500 million a month on assistance projects in all five continents.
The European Union is putting in place a common foreign and security policy so that its members can act together on the world stage as a united force for stability, cooperation and understanding. At the same time, the EU is developing a defence capability and has undertaken its first peacekeeping missions. It is also engaged in fighting terrorism.
By helping build security and stability in the wider world, the EU is also helping to make life safer for people within its own borders.
The EU is particularly active in promoting the human aspects of international relations, such as solidarity, human rights and democracy.

Manuscript finalised in July 2004

Catalogue number: NA-59-04-548-EN-C

Africa and the European Union

Publication Year : 2003

The Pacific and the European Union

Publication Year : 2002

The Caribbean and the European Union

Publication Year : 2002

Compendium on co-operation strategies

Partnership Agreement between the Members of the group of African, Caribbean and Pacific States and the European Community and its Member States : signed at Cotonou, June 2000

Publication Year : 2001

A community of cultures : the European Union and the arts

By giving the European Union a say in cultural matters, the Member States' governments set out to create a 'Europe of the peoples', the idea being to make people in Europe aware of their shared history and values, to make them more aware of European culture and Europe's heritage, but at the same time to cultivate their awareness of local and regional cultures. More specifically, the point was to foster cultural exchanges within Europe, enable the public at large - and artists and culture professionals in particular - to get involved in European projects, to encourage creativity and to make culture accessible to the greatest possible number of people

Publication Year : 2002

The European Development Fund in a few words

Publication Year : 2002

It's a better life : how the EU's single market benefits you

The creation, growth and development of the European Union have over the last fifty years freed its citizens from all sorts of restrictions. Progress has been especially marked since the creation of the EU's 'single market' a decade ago. National frontiers between EU countries have been virtually dismantled. The resulting single market means that goods, people and services can move freely throughout the EU and it has opened up economic and working opportunities that have transformed the lives of hundreds of millions of Europeans. This booklet describes some of the many benefits EU citizens now enjoy. It sets out to show that the single market is not a dry and dusty concept relevant only to big business. It is delivering a better life for everyone

Publication Year : 2002

Gender equality in development co-operation

from policy to practice : the role of the European Commission

Publication Year : 2003

Many tongues, one family : languages in the European Union

While committed to integration at European level, the EU promotes the linguistic and cultural diversity of its peoples. It does so by promoting the teaching and learning of their languages, including minority and regional languages. The EU's ambitious goal, set out in a new action plan, is that as many of its citizens as possible should speak one - and ideally two - languages in addition to their mother tongue. The European Union as an organisation now works with 20 official languages. This is because, in a democracy, the laws it applies must be understandable to all its citizens. There can be no discrimination, for instance, between the way people in big and small countries are treated. In their dealings with the EU institutions, all citizens have the right to use their own national language - as do their elected representatives in the European Parliament

Publication Year : 2004

External assistance reform

Four years on (2000-2004)

Publication Year : 2004

The European Union confronts HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis : a comprehensive strategy for the new millennium

Publication Year : 2003

Development co-operation with the least developed countries : fighting poverty

Publication Year : 2001

A European Union strategy for sustainable development

Publication Year : 2002