《经济学专业英语教程（第四版 下）》课件Unit 14.ppt

1、Unit 14Text:The European Union（欧洲联盟）1.Key words2.Process of the European integration3.Institutional structures of the European Union4.EU summit on December 1112,19935.QuestionsEuropean UnionEuropean integrationECSCEECEuropean CouncilSingle European ActTreaty of RomeEuropean ParliamentCouncil of Mini

2、stersMaastricht TreatyEuropean Monetary Institute(EMI)European Central Bank“opt-out”concessionby a very narrow marginThe Court of JusticeThe Court of AuditorsEuropean Environment AgencyEuropoldrug traffickingmoney launderingfor the first campEU enlargementSpanish pesetaPortuguese escudo2.1 19522.2 1

3、9582.3 19872.4 1992The European Union was first formalized by the creation of the ECSC in 1952.The European Union expanded in 1958 by the launching of Euratom and the EEC.Single European Act amended the Treaty of Rome in ways intended to streamline the decision making process,open up more areas to E

4、C jurisdiction,and reinvigorate the movement toward European economic and political cooperation.The Act,which went into effect on July 1,1987,following ratification by each EC member,called for the establishment of a wholly integrated internal market by the end of 1992 in this and other areas.The Ma

5、astricht Treaty was formally signed by the EC Foreign and Finance Ministers on February 7,1992.The Maastricht Treaty calls for establishment of a single currency and regional central bank by 1999 and commits the signatories to the pursuit of“ever closer”political union,including common foreign and s

6、ecurity policies.3.1 European Council3.2 European Commission3.3 European Parliament3.4 The Court of Justice3.5 The Court of Auditors3.6 The European Monetary Institute(EMI)3.7 EuropolThe European Council(comprising the heads of state or government of the member states)was authorized“to provide the U

7、nion with the necessary impetus for its development”and to“define the general political guidelines”for the grouping.The Council meets at least twice a year under the chairmanship of the head of state or government of the member state holding the Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers.The European

8、 Commission is charged with the initiation and implementation of EU policies.In general,the Commission mediates between the member governments in Community matters,exercises a broad range of executive powers,and initiates Community action,its members are completely independent and are forbidden by t

9、reaty to accept instructions from any national government.Decisions are made by majority vote although in practice most are adopted by consensus.European Parliament represents the public.Under a 1975 treaty it was empowered to participate,save for deference to the Council of Ministers in regard to a

10、gricultural spending,in formulation of the annual EC budget,a draft of which it can reject by a two-thirds vote.The Single European Act and the Treaty on European Union further extended Parliaments budgetary powers and ability to affect legislation.In addition,the Parliament,previously only authoriz

11、ed to dismiss the entire Commission(but not individual members)by a vote of censure,can now reject nominees for individual posts.The Parliament,which meets annually for about twelve weeks and has a five-year term,must also approve EU treaties as well as the admission of new EU members.The Court of J

12、ustice adjudicates legal issues.It has the power to decide whether acts of the Commission,the Council of Ministers,the member governments,and other bodies are compatible with the governing treaties.The Court of Auditors,first established in 1977,was given full institutional status on a par with the

13、Commission,Council of Ministers,and Parliament by the Treaty on European Union.The Court,whose 15 members are appointed for six-year terms by the Council of Ministers in consultation with the Parliament,is responsible for reviewing all EU expenditures and revenues and conducts external audits,someti

14、mes on the spot,of EU as well as national institutions.The European Monetary Institute(EMI),an interim advisory body scheduled eventually to be transformed into a European Central Bank,was opened on January 1,1994,at Frankfurt,Germany.Comprising the governors of the central banks of EU states and a

15、president appointed by the European Council,the EMI attempts to coordinate monetary policies among members with special emphasis on promoting currency stability.Europol is a regional police agency,which opened headquarters in February 1994 at The Hague,Netherlands.It was mandated initially to assist

16、 the police forces of member states in collecting and analyzing information regarding drug trafficking and money laundering.However,under the Europol Convention endorsed by the EU heads of state in July 1995,Europol would eventually be authorized to conduct its own investigations.The first of what c

17、ould be appropriately termed EU summits was held on December 1112,1993,at Brussels.Attention having focused for two years on the Treaty on European Union ratification process,the EU heads of state and government turned to the regions economic problems,particularly continued high unemployment.The sum

18、mit adopted an economic recovery plan that appeared to represent a compromise between those advocating activist labor policies and those convinced that government influence was already too great in economic affairs.For the first camp,the summit approved a six-year public work program designed to cre

19、ate jobs in,among other areas,the transportation,energy,environmental,and telecommunication sectors.For those looking for the free market to resolve unemployment,the summit called for a reduction in“rigidities”in the European labor market,proposing that minimum wages be lowered and that labor costs

20、which support European social welfare programs be significantly reduced.(1)What did the Single European Act call for?(2)What are the most specific of the Maastricht Treatys elements?(3)Which institution is the decision-maker of the EU?And which is the initiator and executive of the EU?(4)What is the focus of the EU summit on December 1112,1993,at Brussels?