WE ARE BRITISH! And we are also citizens of the Europe Union DON T LET THEM THROW THAT ADVANTAGE AWAY

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1 WE ARE BRITISH! And we are also citizens of the Europe Union DON T LET THEM THROW THAT ADVANTAGE AWAY

2 As a citizen of your own country, you automatically become a citizen of the European Union as well. They are not alternatives EU citizenship brings added rights. See Article 9 of the Lisbon Treaty. What are personal EU citizenship rights? 1. Vote for and stand as a candidate in and local elections. a. Next election: There are ten MEPs for the South East of England. 2. Move and live freely in any other EU member country a. (restrictions apply, see Your Europe - residence rights). 3. Non-discrimination on grounds of nationality, where the treaties apply. 4. Strike down EU law that directly harms a private Individual. a. By bringing a case to the European Court of Justice, to annul that law. 5. Protection by the embassy or consulate of any other EU country 6. Petition the. 7. Complain about anything to do with the EU, to the European Ombudsman. 8. Contact and receive a reply from any EU institution in one of the EU's official languages. 9. Read the documents of the, European Commission and European Council (conditions apply). 10. Equal access; to jobs in the EU's institutions. a. See EU Careers: European Personnel Selection Office. 11. Organise a call for new EU law, if it is in a policy area where the EU can make law. a. This is called Citizens Initiative. EU citizenship often comes up in the judgements of the European Court of Justice. Please see:

3 National Governments appointments European Democracy European Council Heads of national governments meet at least four times a year. European Council President Donald Tusk appointments President, Antonio Tajani, elected by members Adopts EU laws. Votes the EU Budget. Ratifies the appointment of the Commission, and can also dismiss it. Directly elected by voters. Proportional representation means every vote for MEPs counts Next election: May or June Council of Ministers Where the national ministers meet to adopt EU laws, in conjunction with the Parliament Example: George Eustice, MP for Redruth, minister for fishing and farming. Supported by Permanent Representatives - professional diplomats. Head of UK Rep: Sir Tim Barrow. European Central Bank Runs the euro currency. Independent, with mandate: to preserve the internal and external value of the. Accountable to Parliament. European Court of Justice Final court of appeal on EU law. Settles differences of opinion on what the EU treaties mean. Chief Justice from UK: Eleanor Sharpston QC NB. It is NOT the Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, which is attached to the Council of Europe. The Convention on Human Rights was ratified by the UK in The darker the colour the greater the voters influence Commission European Commission President Jean Paul Juncker, appointed by European Council with the consent of the, The Candidate is from the party winning most seats in European Parliament election by convention EU executive, responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions,upholding the EU treaties and managing the day-to-day business of the EU Chief Commissioner from the UK: Sir Julian King. His job: Security Union Court of Auditors BBC Reality Check says the EU's accounts have been signed off every year since Chief Auditor from the UK: Phil Wynn-Owen. Details: eca.eurooa.eu

4 What is the Single Market? During the 1960s the six European countries which had signed the 1957 Treaty of Rome abolished all customs duties and quota restrictions on trade between them to form a Free Trade Area. They also agreed to act as a single unit when trading with non-member countries so forming a Customs Union or Common Market. But by the late 1970s it had become clear that non-tariff barriers for example, incompatible health regulations and diverging industrial standards were impeding internal trade. So in 1985 the British Commissioner, Arthur Cockfield, published a plan to sweep all these barriers away, so creating a Single Market by the end of The Single Market is the largest trading area in the world. 28 member countries. 500 million people. 7% of world population. Largest importer and exporter of food and animal feed. 20% of global imports and exports. Four Freedoms Free movement of people, goods, services and capital (money). Like the bloodstream of a body. For example, once oranges from Egypt are Inside the single market, they can go anywhere in the single market with no further charges. Customs Union All member countries charge the same tariff for imports from the rest of the world. Like the skin of a body. The Common External Tariff is agreed by the national governments of the EU, in the Council of Ministers. Who decides its rules? There cannot be a single market if every product has to be controlled in each country according to different rules. Shared regulation is made by national government ministers In the Council of Ministers, and elected citizens in the. Both Council of Ministers and must agree. Who runs it? The European Commission works for the Union as a whole. It is appointed by national leaders, with the approval of the It sees that the rules are followed by all the member countries. National governments make sure it only does what is allowed. If there is still a problem, the European Court of Justice settles disputes. All the countries that are part of the Single Market have agreed to accept what the ECJ decides. Questions? Europe Direct can help. Phone (Mon-Pd, 8 am to 5 pm) europedirecteuropa.eu Pulse of Europe: pulseofeurope.eu/high-wycombe There's also the Euronean Ombudsman for complaints, and the 33 agencies of the EU. More Information? EU Publications Office: bookshop.europa.eu

5 Council of ministers from national governments Voters influence More information on