EUROPE DAY ( SCHUMAN DAY)
The ideas behind the European Union were first put forward on 9 May 1950 by French foreign minister Robert Schuman. This is why 9 May is celebrated as a key date for the EU.
EUROPEAN UNION
The European Union (EU) is an economic and political union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe.
Institutions of the EU include the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, the European Council, the Court of Justice of the European Union, the European Central Bank, the Court of Auditors, and the European Parliament.
The European Parliament is elected every five years by EU citizens. The EU's capital is Brussels.
FLAG OF EUROPE
The flag of Europe consists of a circle of 12 golden (yellow) stars on an azure background. It is the flag and emblem of the Council of Europe (CoE) and the European Union (EU).
ANTHEM AND MOTTO OF THE EU
"Ode to Joy" (German original title: "Ode an die Freude") is the anthem of the European Union and the Council of Europe.
"United in diversity", the motto of the European Union signifies how Europeans have come together, in the form of the EU, to work for peace and prosperity, while at the same time being enriched by the continent's many different cultures, traditions and languages.
MEMBER STATES OF THE EU Austria (1995)
Belgium (1952) Bulgaria (2007)
Cyprus (2004) Czech Republic (2004)
Denmark (1973) Estonia (2004)
Finland (1995) France (1952)
Germany (1952) Greece (1981)
Hungary (2004) Ireland (1973)
Italy (1952) Latvia (2004)
Lithuania (2004) Luxembourg (1952)
Malta (2004) Netherlands (1952)
Poland (2004) Portugal (1986)
Romania (2007) Slovakia (2004)
Slovenia (2004) Spain (1986)
Sweden (1995) United Kingdom (1973)
NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
In 2012 the EU received the Nobel Peace Prize for advancing the causes of peace, reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe.
The EU’s most important achievement, according to the committee, has been "the successful struggle for peace and reconciliation and for democracy and human rights".
THE EU LANGUAGES
OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: Bulgarian Czech
Danish DutchEnglish EstonianFinnish FrenchGerman GreekHungarian IrishItalian LatvianLithuanian MaltesePolish PortugueseRomanian SlovakSlovene SpanishSwedish