Daylife

European Union | ORGANIZATION

The European Union (EU) is an economic and political union of 27 member states, located primarily in Europe. It was established by the Treaty of Maastricht, which was signed in February 1992 and came into force in November 1993, on the foundations of the pre-existing European Economic Community. With almost 500 million citizens, the EU combined generates an estimated 30% share (US$16.8 trillion in 2007) of the world's nominal gross world product.

Read the full background at Wikipedia

Latest News

Asia stocks rise as Europe debt crisis fears ease
— Feb 10 2010 4:45 AM from San Diego Union-Tribune
Soros Is ‘Confident’ Greece Will Stay in Euro Region (Update1)
— Feb 10 2010 4:42 AM from Business Week
Yen, dollar retreat on speculation of Greek assistance
— Feb 10 2010 4:39 AM from China Post
Gold gains as weaker dollar spurs investment demand
— Feb 10 2010 4:39 AM from China Post
If Greece gets a debt guarantee, give California some credit
— Feb 10 2010 4:23 AM from Los Angeles Times

Connections

Chile's President Michelle Bachelet and Lisbon mayor Antonio Costa pose by a monument a to Chilean poet Gabriela Mistral after its inauguration Wednesday, Dec. 2 2009, in Lisbon.

In this photo released by China's Xinhua news agency, fireworks explode over the People's Square in Giuyang, capital of southwest China's Guizhou Province early Sunday, Feb. 18, 2007, the New Year's Day on China's lunar calendar.

The Chevy Volt, an electric car that GM says will go 40 miles on an electric charge, is on display at the Washington Auto Show, Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, in Washington.

Bob Geldof, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Muhammad Yunus, London Mayor Boris Johnson, One Young World Co-founder and Havas Worldwide Global CEO David Jones, One Young World Co-founder and Euro RSCG Group Chairman Kate Robertson, and hundreds of delegates from One Young World, arrive at Old Billingsgate in London for the One Young World Opening Ceremony.

Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses the lawmakers of his Islamic-rooted Justice and Development Part at the parliament in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010.

West Virginia's Korinne Campbell, top, and Louisville's Asia Taylor (31) fight for a rebound in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Morgantown, W.Va. on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010.

BARCELONA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 01: (L-R) Marta Solaz, Judit Uriach, and Cristina Brondo arrive on the red carpet at the Premios de Gaudi held at the Theater Coliseum on February 1, 2010 in Barcelona, Spain.

Elco Van Der Geest of Belgium reacts afetr he defeated Sergey Samoylovich of Russia during the final of the men's -100 kg category during the Grand Slam Paris 2010 Judo tournament, at the Bercy Arena in Paris Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010. The Grand Slam Paris 2010 is the new name of the International Judo Federation's traditional Tournoi de Paris.

An Indian woman labourer carries stones on a construction site at a railway station in New Delhi, 18 February 2007. Whilst India's economy has undergone a substantial transformation since independence in 1947, women still suffer high levels of wage discrimination in the Indian urban labour market

Tournament player "Angel" competing with SteelSeries Siberia Neckband and iron. lady gear during last years iron. lady II Tournament.

Party of Regions members read newspapers in Ukraine's parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010. Ukraine's Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has refused to concede the presidential race to opposition leader Viktor Yanukovych and plans to legally challenge the results, Ukrainian and Russian media reported Tuesday. Yanukovych's Party of Regions has rejected calls for further scrutiny of the election.

IOC President Jacques Rogge, right, and Copenhagen Lord Mayor Ritt Bjerregaard plant trees in Copenhagen's Noerrebro neighborhood, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. The IOC has donated 115 trees to the Danish capital, one for each IOC members.

Vice-Chairman, Climate Change Capital, UK, James Cameron speaks during a session on financing low-carbon growth at the opening day of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Wednesday Jan. 27, 2010. Financial reforms, climate talks and Haiti's reconstruction are set to dominate the agenda of the world's elites heading up to the Swiss mountain resort of Davos this week for their annual meeting.

Some protesters hold a banner reading in Dutch "Opel Antwerpen no social bloodbath" as a few thousand demonstrators from labor unions protest the closing of the OPEL plant in Antwerp, Belgium, and current economic conditions, in the streets of Brussels, Friday Jan. 29, 2010.

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - DECEMBER 27: A Christmas tree is illuminated at Brussels Grande Place on December 27, 2009 in Brussel, Belgium.

Sigrid Kaag, Unicef Regional Director Middle East and North Africa, listens to a question during a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday, June 17, 2008. The UN Children's Agency UNICEF launched a project "Impact Iraq" Tuesday which urges new momentums for vulnerable children inside Iraq.

Bulgarian soldiers attend an official welcoming ceremony after returning from Afghanistan at Bulgaria's capital Sofia airport, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010. Two hundred and sixty Bulgarian soldiers who were deployed at the airport of Kandahar, Afghanistan, to carry out for security returned to Bulgaria Tuesday early morning.

Demonstrators shout slogans during a labour strike at the Fiat Mirafiori assembly plant in Turin, northern Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 3,2010. Fiat workers across Italy are going on strike to protest plans to end auto production at a Sicilian plant next year. Wednesday's four-hour strike, marked the first nationwide work stoppage since CEO Sergio Marchionne took over the company in 2004 and mounted its turnaround.

Related Topics

Photos

Specialist Kristian Loughlin works at his post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010. The Dow Jones industrial average jumped back above 10,000 on hope that the European Union will help Greece manage its growing debt burden.

AP

Specialist Arthur Andrews works at his post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010. The Dow Jones industrial average jumped back above 10,000 on hope that the European Union will help Greece manage its growing debt burden.

AP

Two young girls hold hands as they're carried on the shoulders of two workers during the march against the new European Union and the economic crisis suffered by Spain with more than four million people unemployed in the Basque city of San Sebastian northern Spain, Sunday Feb. 7, 2010.

AP

A woman uses mobile phone in a shoe shop in Hefei, in central China's Anhui province, Friday, Feb. 5, 2010. China launched an unfair trade case against the European Union on Thursday, accusing the 27-nation bloc of imposing illegal duties on Chinese shoes, the World Trade Organization said. The dispute concerns an EU decision in December to extend trade charges on Chinese and Vietnamese leather shoes by 15 months to protect European shoemakers. (AP Photo) ** CHINA OUT.

AP

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi gestures at the end of a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, not seen, in Jerusalem, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010. Berlusconi said Monday he hopes to bring Israel into the European Union, kicking off a three-day visit to the Jewish state meant to bolster already strong ties between the two nations.

AP

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi laugh during a press conference in Jerusalem, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010. Berlusconi said Monday he hopes to bring Israel into the European Union, kicking off a three-day visit to the Jewish state meant to bolster already strong ties between the two nations.

AP

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, right, gestures at the end of a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010. Berlusconi said Monday he hopes to bring Israel into the European Union, kicking off a three-day visit to the Jewish state meant to bolster already strong ties between the two nations.

AP

PARIS - FEBRUARY 02: Ambassador and Permanent Representative of France to the European Union Pierre Sellal delivers a speech at the International 'Global Zero' Summit Against Nuclear Weapons at Hotel Intercontinental on February 2, 2010 in Paris, France.

Getty Images

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle makes statements with Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou in Athens on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010. Westerwelle expressed Germany's support for Greek fiscal reforms. Greece will follow its fiscal rescue plan "to the letter", Papandreou promised earlier Tuesday in response to European Union plans to tightly monitor Athens' performance and possibly demand more cutbacks.

AP

An owner of a shop uses his cash machine as a pedestrian passes, in Athens on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010. Greece's ever-changing tax system undermines compliance and revenue, and makes a major contribution to the government financial crisis that has shaken the entire European Union and undermined the euro currency.

AP

The Finance Ministry is seen in central Athens as a newspaper headline in the foreground reads "Zero hour for (fiscal) measures" on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010. Greece's ever-changing tax system undermines compliance and revenue _ and makes a major contribution to the government financial crisis that has shaken the entire European Union and undermined the euro currency.

AP

The Finance Ministry is seen in central Athens on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010. Greece's ever-changing tax system undermines compliance and revenue _ and makes a major contribution to the government financial crisis that has shaken the entire European Union and undermined the euro currency.

AP

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, left, speaks as he sits with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during their joint cabinet session in Jerusalem, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010. Berlusconi said Monday he hopes to bring Israel into the European Union, kicking off a three-day visit to the Jewish state meant to bolster already strong ties between the two nations.

AP

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, left, speaks as he sits with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during their joint cabinet session in Jerusalem, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010. Berlusconi said Monday he hopes to bring Israel into the European Union, kicking off a three-day visit to the Jewish state meant to bolster already strong ties between the two nations.

AP

Joseph Stiglitz, a Nobel Prize-winning economist answers questions during a financial conference in Athens, on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010. Stiglitz, said part of Greece's financial trouble stemmed from inherent problems within the European Union's economic integration.

AP

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, walks with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, as they arrive for their joint cabinet session in Jerusalem, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010. Berlusconi said Monday he hopes to bring Israel into the European Union, kicking off a three-day visit to the Jewish state meant to bolster already strong ties between the two nations.

AP

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, speaks during a financial conference in Athens, on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010. Greece will follow its fiscal rescue plan "to the letter", Prime Minister George Papandreou promised Tuesday, after the European Union said it would tightly monitor Athens' performance and could demand tough corrective measures.

AP

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, speaks during a financial conference in Athens, on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010. Greece's ever-changing tax system undermines compliance and revenue _ and makes a major contribution to the government financial crisis that has shaken the entire European Union and undermined the euro currency.

AP

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou speaks during a financial conference in Athens, on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010. Greece will follow its fiscal rescue plan "to the letter", Prime Minister George Papandreou promised Tuesday, after the European Union said it would tightly monitor Athens' performance and could demand tough corrective measures.

AP

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou speaks during a financial conference in Athens, on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010. Greece will follow its fiscal rescue plan "to the letter", Prime Minister George Papandreou promised Tuesday, after the European Union said it would tightly monitor Athens' performance and could demand tough corrective measures.

AP

Launch Gallery0 of 0

"We are looking at a lot of austerity coming in Europe. You don't want to do that. If the financial markets force you into it, that's a disaster"

Simon Johnson Feb 10 2010 4:43 AM from Dallas Morning News Business

"Providing Greece meets its target, I hope the European Union, European Central Bank, the euro zone will find a way to finance the government in a way that’s not too expensive for Greece to provide some relief"

George Soros Feb 10 2010 4:42 AM from Business Week

"I’m actually confident Greece will do whatever is necessary to meet conditions to remain a member of the euro to qualify for financing by the ECB for Greek government bonds"

George Soros Feb 10 2010 4:42 AM from Business Week

"They are marching towards a transaction of some sorts"

Richard Greenfield Feb 10 2010 2:34 AM from The Daily Swarm

"We’ll just have to see how the future plays"

Edgar Bronfman, Jr. Feb 10 2010 2:34 AM from The Daily Swarm

"From a regulatory standpoint further consolidation in the recorded music industry is possible"

Edgar Bronfman, Jr. Feb 10 2010 2:34 AM from The Daily Swarm

"Stocks will continue grinding higher"

John Carey Feb 10 2010 2:12 AM from Minneapolis Star Tribune

"We expect and we are confident that the Greek government will take all the decisions that will permit them to reach that goal"

Jean-Claude Trichet Feb 09 2010 10:14 AM from TheNewsTribune.com

of

Asia stocks rise as Europe debt crisis fears ease
— Feb 10 2010 4:45 AM from San Diego Union-Tribune
Soros Is ‘Confident’ Greece Will Stay in Euro Region (Update1)
— Feb 10 2010 4:42 AM from Business Week
Yen, dollar retreat on speculation of Greek assistance
— Feb 10 2010 4:39 AM from China Post
Gold gains as weaker dollar spurs investment demand
— Feb 10 2010 4:39 AM from China Post
If Greece gets a debt guarantee, give California some credit
— Feb 10 2010 4:23 AM from Los Angeles Times

Specialist Kristian Loughlin works at his post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010. The Dow Jones industrial average jumped back above 10,000 on hope that the European Union will help Greece manage its growing debt burden.

AP

Specialist Arthur Andrews works at his post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010. The Dow Jones industrial average jumped back above 10,000 on hope that the European Union will help Greece manage its growing debt burden.

AP

Two young girls hold hands as they're carried on the shoulders of two workers during the march against the new European Union and the economic crisis suffered by Spain with more than four million people unemployed in the Basque city of San Sebastian northern Spain, Sunday Feb. 7, 2010.

AP

A woman uses mobile phone in a shoe shop in Hefei, in central China's Anhui province, Friday, Feb. 5, 2010. China launched an unfair trade case against the European Union on Thursday, accusing the 27-nation bloc of imposing illegal duties on Chinese shoes, the World Trade Organization said. The dispute concerns an EU decision in December to extend trade charges on Chinese and Vietnamese leather shoes by 15 months to protect European shoemakers. (AP Photo) ** CHINA OUT.

AP

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi gestures at the end of a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, not seen, in Jerusalem, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010. Berlusconi said Monday he hopes to bring Israel into the European Union, kicking off a three-day visit to the Jewish state meant to bolster already strong ties between the two nations.

AP

Launch Gallery of

Related Blogs

* Road Runner is not liable for the subject matter of Blogs on the open Web.

On TV Now

As of 12:16AM EST »

News

» More CNBC

Business Model: Inside the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

CNN

Larry King Live

MSNBC

Hardball With Chris Matthews

FNC

ABC

Jimmy Kimmel Live

CBS

The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson

NBC

Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

News

Technology

More Headlines