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91 Getting closer to the EU 1 9 8 0 – 1 9 8 9 1 9 9 0 – 1 9 9 9 2 0 0 0 – 2 0 0 9 2 0 1 0 – t o d a y The changing face of Europe – the fall of the Berlin Wall ThePolish trade union, Solidarnos´c´, and its leader LechWalesa, becomehousehold names across Europe and the world following the Gdansk shipyard strikes in the summer of 1980. In 1981, Greece becomes the 10 th member of the EU and Spain and Portugal follow five years later. In 1986 the Single European Act is signed. This treaty provides the basis for a vast six-year programme aimed at solving the problems resulting from the free-flow of trade across EU borders. It creates the ‘Single Market’. On 9 November 1989, the fall of the Berlin Wall causes major political upheaval as the border between East andWest Germany is opened for the first time in 28 years. This event led to the reunification of Germany in October 1990. A Europe without frontiers With the collapse of communism across central and Eastern Europe, Europeans become closer neighbours. In 1993 the implementation of the Single Market is completed guaranteeing the ‘four freedoms’: freedom of movement of goods, of services, of people and of money. The 1990s are also the decade of two treaties, the ‘Maastricht’ Treaty on the European Union in 1993, and the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1999. People are concerned about environmental issues and about the way in which Europeans can cooperate in terms of security and defence matters. In 1995 the EU gains three new members, Austria, Finland and Sweden. A small village in Luxembourg gives its name to the ‘Schengen’ Agreements which gradually allow European citizens to travel without having their passports checked at the borders. Millions of young people are able to go study in other countries thanks to the support of the EU. Communication is made easier as more and more people start to use mobile phones and the internet. Further expansion The Euro becomes the new currency for many Europeans. 11 September 2001 becomes synonymous with the ‘War on Terror‘ after hijacked airliners are flown into buildings in New York and Washington. EU countries begin to work together more closely in order to fight crime. The political divisions between east and west Europe are finally declared healed when no fewer than 10 new countries join the EU in 2004, followed by two more in 2007. A financial crisis hits the global economy in September 2008, resulting in closer economic cooperation between EU countries. The Treaty of Lisbon is ratified by all EU countries before entering into force on 1 December 2009. It provides the EU with modern institutions and more efficient working methods. A decade of opportunities and challenges The new decade starts with a severe economic crisis, but also with the hope that investments in new green and climate-friendly technologies and closer European cooperation will bring lasting growth and welfare. http://europa.eu/geninfo/legal_notices_de.htm, © Europäische Union, 1995 – 2014 Have a closer look at the founding fathers of the EU (M 3). What kind of people were they, where did they come from and what were their motifs? The exercise can be done in groups or in form of oral presentations. 2 Summarise Churchill’s main ideas concerning the necessity of forming a united Europe (M 4). 3 Illustrate the idea of ‘European Unity‘ on a large poster (M 4, M 5). Exercises 71051_1_1_2015_Inhalt_4.indd 9 21.01.15 10:38 Nu r z u Pr üf zw ec ke n Ei g nt um d es C .C .B uc hn er V er la gs | |
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