EUROPEAN UNION (EU)

INTRODUCTION
The European Union is a unique supranational political and economic union of European countries. For beginners in International Relations, the EU helps in understanding regional integration, shared sovereignty, common market principles, and supranational governance. From an OPSC prelims perspective, the EU is a high-yield static topic due to questions on its origin, treaties, institutions, membership, symbols, and policies.

ORIGIN AND BACKGROUND
• Origins trace back to post–World War II efforts to ensure peace in Europe
• European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) established in 1951
• European Economic Community (EEC) formed by the Treaty of Rome in 1957
• Maastricht Treaty (1992) formally created the European Union
• Lisbon Treaty (2009) strengthened EU institutions and decision-making

HEADQUARTERS AND MEMBERSHIP
• EU has multiple institutional seats (Brussels, Strasbourg, Luxembourg)
• Total members: 27 countries
• United Kingdom exited the EU in 2020 (Brexit)

OBJECTIVES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
• Promote peace, stability and prosperity
• Create a single market with free movement of goods, services, capital and people
• Promote economic and social cohesion
• Uphold democratic values and rule of law
• Act collectively in global affairs

KEY FEATURES OF THE EU
• Single Market
• Customs Union
• Common Trade Policy
• Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
• Common Fisheries Policy
• Monetary Union (Eurozone for some members)
• EU Citizenship

EU INSTITUTIONS (VERY IMPORTANT FOR PRELIMS)
1. European Council
• Provides overall political direction
• Consists of Heads of State or Government

2. European Commission
• Executive body of the EU
• Proposes legislation and ensures implementation

3. Council of the European Union
• Represents member states’ governments
• Law-making body along with European Parliament

4. European Parliament
• Directly elected by EU citizens
• Shares legislative and budgetary powers

5. Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU)
• Interprets EU law and ensures uniform application

6. European Central Bank (ECB)
• Manages euro and monetary policy of Eurozone

EU SYMBOLS
• EU Flag (12 stars)
• EU Anthem (Ode to Joy)
• Europe Day – 9 May
• EU Motto: United in Diversity

EUROZONE
• Countries that use the euro as official currency
• Not all EU members are part of Eurozone
• ECB controls monetary policy for Eurozone

INDIA AND EU
• India–EU Strategic Partnership
• Cooperation in trade, technology, climate and security
• Ongoing negotiations for India–EU Free Trade Agreement

CURRENT RELEVANCE
• EU enlargement discussions
• Green Deal and climate policies
• Trade and technology cooperation
• Global geopolitical role of EU

PRELIMS NOTES AND COMMON CONFUSIONS
• EU is not a federation like the USA
• Not all EU members use the euro
• European Council and Council of EU are different bodies
• EU has shared sovereignty, not complete centralisation

CONCLUSION
The European Union represents the most advanced form of regional integration in the world.

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Subject: International Relation

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