Many are aware of the recent
headlines of the 'Brexit' or British secession from the
European Union (EU), but are not aware of what the European
Union is, how young it is, and
how it began and changed over time. Here is a quick summary of
the volatility,
tenuousness,
and fluidity of the EU.
During 1986 the Single
European Act was signed. It is a treaty which provides
the basis for a six-year program aimed at reducing problems
with the free flow of trade across EU borders and creating a
single market. In 1993 the Single Market was completed with
the four freedoms of: movement of goods, services, people,
and money.
During that
time, there was major political upheaval when, during 1989
the Berlin Wall was pulled down and the border between East
and West Germany was opened for the first time in 28 years,
leading to the reunification of East and West Germany. The collapse of
communism across central and eastern European brought
Europeans closer together.
The Maastricht Treaty (formally, the Treaty on
European Union) signed by the then 12 member nations,
entered into force in 1993 with the goal of creating an
economic and monetary union by 1999 for all EU states except
the UK and Denmark. It aimed at unifying policies of
defense, currency, and citizenship among the member nations.
It has been amended by the treaties of Amsterdam, Nice, and
Lisbon.
The euro was introduced to world financial markets as an
accounting currency during January 1999 and in 2002 notes and
coins began to circulate, with legacy currencies
exchangeable at commercial banks in the currency's nation
generally until 30 June 2002.
The Treaty of Amsterdam, which amended the Single
European Act, other
treaties
establishing the European Communities, and certain related
acts, was signed during 1997, and entered into force on 1
May 1999. It also made substantial changes to the Treaty of
Maastricht.
Under the Treaty of Amsterdam, member states agreed to
devolve certain powers from national governments to the
European Parliament across diverse areas, including
legislating on immigration, adopting civil and criminal
laws, and enacting foreign and security policy, as well as
implementing institutional changes for expansion as new
member nations join the EU.
The Treaty of Nice came into force on 1 February
2003. It provided for an increase after enlargement of the
number of seats in the European Parliament, which has
ceremonial precedence over all authority at European level
to 732 (currently 751), which exceeded the cap established
by the Treaty of Amsterdam. It also provided for the
creation of subsidiary courts below the European Court of
Justice and the Court of First Instance to deal with special
areas of law such as patents, among others. The treaty
caused much consternation and debate among members.
The Treaty of Lisbon amends the two main treaties
which formed the constitutional basis of the European Union.
The Treaty of Lisbon was entered into force on 1 December
2009. The stated aim of the treaty was to "complete the
process started by the Treaty of Amsterdam and by the Treaty
of Nice with a view to enhancing the efficiency and
democratic legitimacy of the Union and to improving the
coherence of its action." It contained stronger powers for
the European Parliament and a new role for national
parliaments. One article called for "the word 'assent' shall
be replaced by 'consent'". See my blog for definitions.
LINK
The exact impact of the treaty on the functioning of the
EU left many uncertainties which have led to calls for yet
another new treaty to be drafted.
The European Union now consists of 28 countries, including
Croatia, last to join the EU on July 1, 2013. Stay tuned
folks as this remains a very fluid situation.
Showing posts with label European Union. Show all posts
Showing posts with label European Union. Show all posts
Jul 28, 2016
Jul 9, 2010
Food by Weight
TRUE - Buying a dozen eggs in the UK could be a thing of the past, as a new European Union labeling law may soon kick in. The new rule from Brussels, decrees that you can no longer sell food by numbers.
Even promotional offers, such as eight chocolate bars for the price of six, might be banned by the legislation, according to trade magazine The Grocer.
For the first time, eggs and other products, such as bread rolls will be sold by weight instead of by the number contained. The new rules will mean that instead of the package listing it contains twelve eggs, it will show the weight in grams of the eggs inside, for example 672g.
Buns will show 400g inside instead of eight. The rules do not allow both the weight and the quantity to be displayed. Since rolls, eggs, and other items do not weigh exactly the same, each package must be individually weighed and individually labeled.
Needless to say, the food manufacturers, distributors, and consumers are violently opposed to the change. The politicians say it allows the consumers to make more informed choices. Ah, more political wisdom in action. . .
Even promotional offers, such as eight chocolate bars for the price of six, might be banned by the legislation, according to trade magazine The Grocer.
For the first time, eggs and other products, such as bread rolls will be sold by weight instead of by the number contained. The new rules will mean that instead of the package listing it contains twelve eggs, it will show the weight in grams of the eggs inside, for example 672g.
Buns will show 400g inside instead of eight. The rules do not allow both the weight and the quantity to be displayed. Since rolls, eggs, and other items do not weigh exactly the same, each package must be individually weighed and individually labeled.
Needless to say, the food manufacturers, distributors, and consumers are violently opposed to the change. The politicians say it allows the consumers to make more informed choices. Ah, more political wisdom in action. . .
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