The United Kingdom joined in 1973 - just one year after Newsround was born! The EU aims to improve the lives of all those who live and work in member countries by making rules and setting standards. Critics claimed Article 13 would have made it nearly impossible to upload even the tiniest part of a copyrighted work to Facebook, YouTube, or any other site. The European elections took place between 23-26 May 2019. Nineteen out of the 28 countries in the EU use the EU's special currency called the euro. But Catherine Ashton's office argues that the EEAS has responded efficiently to emergencies in Africa and has achieved successes elsewhere, such as the April 2013 Serbia-Kosovo deal, reached after long, gruelling talks. In the past, the UK has chosen to opt out of some important EU decisions like using the euro, and it didn't sign up to a special deal called the Schengen Treaty, which made border controls more relaxed. With the EE Video Data Pass you can stream content, in the UK and in EU member countries, on selected video apps without using your plan’s data allowance. Five years after the war ended, France and Germany came up with a plan to ensure that their two countries would never go to war against each other again. Before the Lisbon Treaty they had little influence over agriculture, fisheries or the EU budget. Do they think the EU is run democratically or undemocratically? The EU's new diplomatic service was one of the key innovations under the Lisbon Treaty, intended to give the EU "one voice" internationally. EU summits are meetings of a separate institution - the "European Council" - that is, when all the heads of government meet. Watch the moment that the Brexit result was declared, Prime Minister David Cameron announces that he'll resign, The moment the UK was *officially* on its way out. Some countries signed up to a special treaty called the Schengen Treaty which allows people to travel between Schengen countries without a passport. Under these treaties, the bloc’s twenty-eight members agree to pool their sovereignty and delegate many decision-making powers to the EU Are pay-by-the-minute booths the future of work? The U.K. was the first … One EU country, Ireland has declined the Schengen benefits. These are supported and complemented by a set of institutions and bodies, the powers conferred on which derive from the founding Treaties. The EU was given its current structure and powers in 2007 with the Lisbon Treaty, also known as the Reform Treaty. Who decides what in the EU? It is the only directly elected EU institution, and Europe's biggest elections yet took place in May 2014. Many people felt that the best chance of preventing future wars, and of promoting peace and prosperity in Europe, was if countries worked more closely together. For many years in Britain, politicians have argued about whether it is better for the UK to be in or out of the EU and not everyone agrees. They believe that we are in a better position to buy and sell products and services with other EU countries, as we will get better deals. It does things like proposing new laws for the European Parliament to vote on, and makes sure that that the laws the European Parliament has passed are used properly. The 27 member countries in the EU; Countries using the euro; Members of the Schengen border-free area; Joining the EU; Other European countries; EU languages; EU symbols. A majority of MEPs want the parliament to be permanently based in Brussels, to stop the expensive monthly shuttle to Strasbourg, where the full "plenary" sessions are held. It was a historic day as the UK has been a member of the EU for more than 40 years. This room is where the European Parliament meet. Many feel that it is positive for UK citizens to be able to move freely between other EU countries - either to live, work or study - which won't be the case once the UK is no longer a member. But for taxation or foreign policy issues, such as trade agreements or sanctions, unanimity is required. The vote was over two years ago, but it is still being talked about a lot as the UK hasn't left yet the EU. Does the EU work? How we work To fulfill its mission, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) works closely with national competent authorities in a regulatory network. But France wants to keep the Strasbourg sessions and switching to a "single seat" in Brussels would require treaty change. The next step is for Prime Minister Theresa May to get politicians in the UK Parliament to sign off on it too - something which may not be easy. In the main, the Council approves a law if 55% of ministers representing 65% or more of the Union’s population vote in favour, a process called double-majority voting that aims to “reflect the legitimacy of the EU as a union of both peoples and nations”. To see more information about individual videos, hover over the thumbnail image or title, and then click on Details. ensures that all countries and institutions that are part of the EU are following EU laws properly and in the same way. Why do some people want the UK to leave the EU? There are seven official EU institutions, which work together to run the EU: The European Central Bank (which manages the euro and deals with economic issues) the European Court of Auditors (which checks EU funds are collected and used correctly, and managed well) make up the other two official institutions. It has its own parliament, anthem, and a list of rules and benefits for all of its members. Their chairman is European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, who took office in 2009 and will step down in December 2014. How does the EE Video Data Pass work? The European Union is an international organisation made up of 28 member countries, and more than 500 million people. Its members usually meet four times a year to talk about important issues affecting their countries. David Cameron was prime minister before Theresa May and brought about the Brexit vote, even though he thought the UK should have stayed within the EU, UK adults voted to leave a group of countries called the European Union, EU leaders have approved Britain's plan for leaving, Prime Minister Theresa May to get politicians in the UK Parliament to sign off on it too. There are 751 MEPs. Who turns up depends on what the council is talking about. What does Gibraltar have to do with Brexit? EU citizens can study, live, shop, work and retire in any EU country - and enjoy products from all over Europe.". Covid-19: The disinformation tactics used by China. Voting in the Council is weighted according to a country's size and economic power, so for example Germany has a bigger weight than Luxembourg. The algorithm’s goals are twofold: find the right video for each viewer, and get viewers to keep watching. The legal doctrine of supremacy of EU law means that EU labour law takes precedence over domestic labour law. Now, 19 countries use the euro. It is called qualified majority voting (QMV). This is currently due to happen at 11pm on Friday 29 March, 2019. 3. It meets at least four times each year, but more often when necessary. Germany has the most - 96, France 74, the UK and Italy 73 each, and the three smallest countries - Estonia, Luxembourg and Malta - have six each. It enforces EU rules, and if a member state delays enacting an agreed policy, or simply refuses to comply, then the Commission will warn them and if necessary pursue them at the EU Court of Justice. The European Union currently has over 500 million citizens. MEPs now have "co-decision" powers in nearly all policy areas, meaning that they shape EU laws on an equal basis with the Council. The EU was formed in the aftermath of World War Two. Prime Minister Theresa May is hoping that politicians in the UK Parliament will vote to approve her Brexit deal. New EU laws, or revisions to existing ones, come about usually after requests from governments, Euro MPs or lobby groups. According to the EU's official website: "In the EU's single market (sometimes also called the internal market), people, goods, services and money can move around the EU as freely as within a single country. Any European state can apply to become a member. Kardashian tries to get photo wiped off the web1, 'Strong' evidence found for a new force of nature2, Navalny 'losing sensation in legs and hands'3, Myanmar ambassador to UK 'locked out' of embassy4, Jabs 'breaking link' between UK cases and deaths5, Beijing now has more billionaires than any city6, PM 'deeply concerned' about Belfast violence7, Are pay-by-the-minute booths the future of work?8, Rare Superman comic sells for record $3.25m9, Hong Kong citizens given 'support' to come to UK10. The European Union is a club of 28 countries from around Europe, whose governments work together. The Schengen Treaty (signed in 1985, initially by only five EU countries) means that many EU citizens can move between countries signed up to the deal without using a passport. It is their job to set the EU's main priorities and overall policy direction. It represents the governments of the member states; the ministers meet regularly according to their policy area. Heads of state or government of EU countries are members, so Prime Minister Theresa May is currently a member of this. Germany, France, Italy and the UK have 29 votes each, while Malta has three. For example, what will happen to the border between Northern Ireland (which is part of the UK, scheduled to leave the EU) and the Republic Ireland (which will remain in the EU), and how the UK will buy and sell goods with EU countries. It is based in Brussels (Belgium). It has one judge from each EU country, plus 11 other important staff called advocates general. Come on a video tour with him. Countries have to prove certain things in order to be allowed to join. The European Council, which is the meeting place for heads of state or government, sets the EU’s overall policy agenda and its priorities. ‘How the EU works’ means: how decisions are taken at EU level and who takes those decisions. Read more… 12 June 2019. When you hear discussions about politics, it is often people who are mentioned: the prime minister of your country, for example, or an opposition leader. … The EU hasn’t said Brexit will collapse the EU budget. "When a gamer creates a video game video for YouTube, the video itself is a new copyright work owned by the gamer. On 23 June 2016, UK adults voted to leave a group of countries called the European Union (EU). does the day-to-day work of running the EU. A look at the differences and similarities between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the European Union. It is based in Brussels (Belgium). However, specific tweaks to … But Macron wasn't having it. Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). It is based in Brussels (Belgium). The Europe flag is the official symbol of the European Union. The Commission's job is to draft EU laws and act as "guardian of the treaties". There is also something called European Economic Area (EEA), which includes EU countries and also Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Usually this institution is simply called "the Council". With post-Brexit trade negotiations between the UK and the EU very much underway, free ports are being seen as one of the trump-cards of the government when it comes to exerting some pressure on the EU, by further opening up the UK to the rest of the world. That's the parliament's job. The European flag; The European anthem; Europe Day; The EU motto; The euro How does the YouTube algorithm work in 2020? With all this talk of Brexit and the UK leaving the EU, let's take a look back at what the EU actually is and how it affects people's lives. The result was a special deal signed by six countries to bring together their coal and steel resources in 1950. The EU contract, by contrast, doesn't go into this level of detail about notification when manufacturing plans change. Does it work in older people? Some European countries initially offered the vaccine only to 18-64 year-olds because they said there was limited data on how well it protects the over-65s. A European Parliament report this year called the service top-heavy and slow to react to crises. Some decisions are made at European level. They examine draft laws from the Commission and make recommendations, so the final text is a compromise - often the result of numerous amendments. Those who support Brexit - nicknamed 'leavers' - believe that this money could be better spent elsewhere. When the EEC was formed (which would later become the EU), it was more about buying and selling goods and services between member countries. It is based across Strasbourg (France), Brussels (Belgium) and Luxembourg. Why do some people want the UK to stay in the EU? For example, if they're talking about farming laws, then farming ministers from each country will come. The most recent big news is that EU leaders have approved Britain's plan for leaving. The Commission can levy fines or suspend EU funding. EU laws become part of national legislation after detailed negotiations between the Council and the European Parliament. It allows these countries to have special deals with each other as part of something called the EU's single market. That means the government is sensible about the amount of money it spends and does not interfere too much in the way people do business. Furthermore, to be a member of the group, countries have to pay money, which is done mostly through taxes. But it does have another remedy in the Belgian system, De Rey explains: If a company is in breach of a contract, the other party can appoint another producer to do the job at the expense of the company in breach. Covid-19 vaccine trial in children paused but 'no safety concerns'. Video, Covid-19: The disinformation tactics used by China, 'I can't change my gender unless I'm sterilised' Video, 'I can't change my gender unless I'm sterilised', Kardashian tries to get photo wiped off the web, 'Strong' evidence found for a new force of nature, Beijing now has more billionaires than any city, PM 'deeply concerned' about Belfast violence, Rare Superman comic sells for record $3.25m, Hong Kong citizens given 'support' to come to UK. Together with the European Parliament, the Council is the main decision-making body of the EU. Now, countries in the EU work together on many more issues than just buying and selling to each other. There are 28 EU commissioners - one from each member state - and each one focuses on a policy area, for example justice and home affairs, or the EU internal market. © 2021 BBC. Many people want the UK to be able to make its own deals like this. And the same is true for the EU. 1957: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands signed up to the EEC, or Common Market in 1957, 1973: Britain, Ireland and Denmark joined, 2004: The biggest enlargement happened with Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta and Cyprus all joining. The researchers working for the European Parliamentary Research Service have produced 1 800 short notes on what the EU does for anyone from pet owners to parents, and brewers to bee-keepers, as well as a selection that showcase the EU projects that benefit your home region. The Council’s primary job is to work with the Parliament to amend and adopt Commission proposals. The idea was that if countries relied on each other economically, they would be less likely to go to war with each other. In 2012 the budget for the service was 489m euros (£422m; $649m), and it has a staff of 3,500 (1,500 in HQ and 2,000 in delegations). 1. It does things like proposing new laws for the European Parliament to vote on, … 'Remainers' - as people who support the UK remaining in the EU are sometimes called - generally believe that it is better when countries work closer together in a group like this. India ignores Covid surge to hold IPL cricket tournament, Covid-19: The disinformation tactics used by China. Kyaw Zwar Minn spends the night in his car after saying the military attaché "occupied" the embassy. At the moment, UK and EU politicians are making all the final arrangements for Brexit to happen, as there is lots to sort out. None of the money comes from the EU budget This man, Jean-Claude Juncker, is the current president of the European Commission, The EU was formed in the aftermath of World War Two in the hope that it would help to keep peace if countries worked more closely together, EU members work together to protect the environment from, for example, the overuse of single-use plastics. Three countries have open borders with the Schengen Area: Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City. More about the 2019 European elections results About 90 % of loans are made within the EU. Such laws are presented to the European Parliament only at the discretion of the European Commission. Read about our approach to external linking. What's life like on the Covid-free island of Sark? Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the UK. It's like a school council, but instead of people from each year, there are people from each country. It works to promote peace, human rights and equality, protect the environment and promote sustainability, respect and protect culture and heritage, set health and living standards, and invest in education and research. The parliament has grown because 13 countries - mostly ex-communist states in Central and Eastern Europe - have joined since 2004. The notes and coins were introduced in January 2002, when 12 countries started to use them instead of their own currencies. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. By joining the EU, states give up some of their power to make decisions. Navalny 'losing sensation in legs and hands', Jabs 'breaking link' between UK cases and deaths, A shrinking river sparks a fight for water access. 2. There is much dispute about whether the EEAS has made EU foreign policy any more coherent. Introducing the European Union How it works, who does what What this publication is about This publication is a guide on how the European Union (EU) works. However, as it also incorporates copyright works … The new Commission President is former Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker. It also checks that all the other parts of the EU are working fairly. Together, they are called the eurozone. The EU is run by five main institutions: the European Council, the Council of the European Union, the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Court of Justice.. People’s views of the merits of being a member of the EU could, in part, turn on how well or badly they think the EU and its various institutions operate as a whole. This photo was being taken as Estonia entered the Schengen borderless zone in 2007. Many countries in the EU also use a special currency called the euro. Again, those Committees work through secretive deliberations with EU Ministers and civil servants, who give directives to political groups in the European Parliament so as to ensure the passage of its proposals. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. sets the general political direction and priorities of the EU, but it does not pass laws. Seven years later, another deal was signed in Rome created the European Economic Community (EEC) - which is what is considered to be the foundation of the EU as we know it today. The Lisbon Treaty, signed in 2007, gave the European Parliament more powers than it had previously. There is often pressure from all three areas for the Commission to take action. Three territories are special members of the EU and part of the Schengen Area: the Azores, Madeira, and the Canary Islands. This is because human beings take decisions and shape policies. The Commission has a staff of about 33,000. VideoCovid-19: The disinformation tactics used by China, Call My Agent star joins plea to reopen French theatres, 'I can't change my gender unless I'm sterilised' Video'I can't change my gender unless I'm sterilised', ‘Please don’t lend Kenya more money’. European Union priorities for 2019-2024; What the EU does for its citizens; EU citizenship; Countries. The European Commission does the day-to-day work of running the EU. They must show that they treat their people fairly, respect their human rights and allow them to vote in elections. All EU countries except Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania & the UK - along with Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway & Switzerland - are currently part of the Schengen area. The EEAS is led by Baroness Ashton from the UK, a Labour Party peer, who will step down in December 2014. Introducing the European Union How it works, who does what What this publication is about This publication is a guide on how the European Union (EU) works. How do you weigh up the risks of the AZ vaccine? Some say that EU leaders have too much control over what the UK can do and that it is time we leave. BBC Europe correspondent Matthew Price has been exploring the corridors of power in Brussels, and here he explains what each EU institution does. Other countries interested in joining include Iceland, Serbia and Turkey. Lots of people also want the UK to be able to limit the number of people who come here to work from other EU countries. Among other things, the EU is the biggest tariff-free trade area in the world. Do you think behaviour in schools is worse after lockdown? They must show that their economies are properly run. HOW DOES THE EU WORK? From a small group of nations in the 1950s, the EU is now made up of 28 different countries. The Videos listing page (Image credit: studio.youtube.com) Video detail page. It also settles any legal arguments between members. Croatia became the 28th member when it joined on 1 July 2013. The EE Video Data Pass will cover the data you use when you're streaming content e.g the show you've chosen to watch from one of the selected video apps covered. The Bank borrows money on capital markets and lends it on favourable terms to projects that support EU objectives. Read about our approach to external linking. As a member of the EU, the UK has to abide by its rules. For example, Switzerland is neither a member of the EU or the EEA, but it is part of the single market, giving Swiss citizens the same rights to live and work in the UK as other EEA nationals. Two years before, U.K. voters had surprised the world by narrowly deciding to leave the European Union (EU). Myanmar ambassador to UK 'locked out' of embassy. When countries are in the EU, they don't all have to behave in exactly the same way. According to YouTube, the algorithm is basically a “real-time feedback loop that tailors videos to each viewer’s different interests.” It decides which videos will get suggested to individual users. There are seven official EU institutions, which work together to run the EU: The European Commission does the day-to-day work of running the EU. The Agency also implements policies and procedures to ensure it works independently, openly and transparently and upholds the highest standards in its scientific recommendations. ‘How the EU works’ means how decisions are taken at EU level and who takes those decisions. Britain leaving the EU has been given a special name, which you have probably heard before - Brexit (made up of the words 'Britain' and 'exit'). It is based in Luxembourg. Read about our approach to external linking. Four non-EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland have adopted the Schengen Agreement. is like the voice of EU member governments when it comes to EU laws and policy. decides whether suggestions from the European Commission should be made into new laws. The EU at work; Economy; Cohesion; Citizens ; External relations; Contents; How the European Union works. Countries may have to make changes to their laws so that they don't clash with the laws of the EU.