The beginning of European Union

The World War II ended in 1945. During the war many countries were destroyed. It was necessary do take some activities to rebuild Europe. The representatives of Belgium, Holand, Luxemburg, Germany, Italy and France started the new European movement. Today, we call them „The Fathers of Europe”. There were: French politician - Jean Monnet, foreign secretary - Robert Schuman, German chancellor - Konrad Adenauer. They believed that integration can stop nationalism, the new war. They would like to secure Europe inhabitants rich life in democratic countries. Thanks to them in 1951, the firs integrated organisation was established – EWWiS (European Coal and Steel Union). Next, people started thinking about common economy, trade, farming and transport. In 1957 „the six” founded European Economy Union and European Atm Energy Union – Euroatom. More and more countries joined to these organisations. From 1967 they are called European Unions. Finally, in 1992 in beautiful town Maastricht the Treaty of European Union was signed. It started working from 1993.

According to the treaty the new aspects were introduced:– common foreign and security policy ,– economy and money union,– interior policy and the justice,

After some time more and more countries have joined to EU. Now there are 27 members.

Polish way to European Union

Polish way to EU started in 1989, when the treaty of trade and economy cooperation was signed. During the next years Poland was admitted to Council of Europe and the European Treaty between Poland and European Community was signed. In 1994 the treaty was accepted and Poland proposed about membership in EU. After a year The White Book was published to prepare the countries from east and middle part of Europe to integration with Interior Market of EU. In March 1998 the negotiations started they lasted till 2002. In 2002 Poland became the member of EU.

Advantage of being a member of EU:

1. Possibilities of using different help programmes.2. Faster economy developement.3. Modernisation of industry branches.

4. Innovation developement.5. Possibility of export Polish goods to west markets without restrictions.6. The new places of work, lower unemployment, higher salaries.7. Developement of districts and cities connected with different European regions –

Euroregions.8. International touristic movement.9. Getting better the position and safety of Polanf in Europe.10. Possibility of traveling between different countries' borders.11. Lower influence of Russia and Germany.

Disadvantages of being a member of EU:

1. Using Poland as a market for too many products from Europe.2. Buying Polish lands.3. Appearing many contagious disease.4. Globalisation, blurring of cultural differences.5. Loosing a big amount of money.

Polish opinion about European Union

62% of Polish think that it is good for us to be a member of EU, 77% claim that we have benefited of being it. Nowadays, we are in minority of people who positively say about EU. What is more, Polish people trust the European politicians more than ones in own country. 85% of Polish would like to cooperate with other countries in fighting with financial crisis, and 75% wants to bigger economic and financial coordination in EU.

AUTHORS:Alicja Pazder

Olga ZiębaSylwia Kupiec