Korigjime

The center of the European Union is composed of its 27 Member States and their citizens.

The unique feature of the European Union: All states remain sovereign and independant, but they are bundling some of their sovereign powers to have a greater influence and act more efficiently.

This partial transfer of powers to institutions, which the European Member States created themselves, means in practice that decisions on specific matters of common interest can be made democratically at European level.

The European Union is moving between the federal system of the USA and the loose cooperation alliance of governments in the United Nations Organization (UNO).

The European Union has accomplished a lot since its founding in 1951.

It has created a domestic market for goods and services, which comprises 27 countries with 500 million people, who can move freely and live or take up residence wherever they want.

With the introduction of the euro, the European Union obtained a single currency, which is among the most important currencies in the world and making the domestic market more efficient.

The European Union is also the biggest donor of development and humanitarian aid in the world.

But these are only a few of its accomplishments so far.

Currently, the European Union is trying to overcome the economic crisis in Europe.

It is also fighting the climate change and its consequences; it is planning to grow even larger and is therefore helping its neighbouring countries with their preparations of accessing the European Union; it is developing a common foreign policy, which is going to contribute significantly to spreading European values throughout the world.

The realization of those ambitious goals will depend on making effective decisions at the right time and implementing them well.