Explainers

The euro is the official currency of 21 EU member states, which together make up the euro area. Over 350 million EU citizens use the euro every day. 

Following the military coup on 1 February 2021, and the subsequent military and police repression against peaceful demonstrators, the EU has drastically increased sanctions against Myanmar.

In the face of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the EU has taken a number of initiatives to support Ukraine’s energy security, as well as the country’s transport and connectivity sectors.

Shifting towards clean energy is a must to fight climate change and an opportunity to increase energy independence.

The EU is working to establish a new customs authority to strengthen cooperation between national customs authorities and support  the effective functioning of the customs union.

New technologies in banking and payments are changing the financial services industry. By boosting innovation, the EU is creating a competitive financial sector while establishing rules that ensure financial stability and consumer protection.

The Common Security and Defence Policy enables the EU to deploy civilian and military missions and operations outside the EU, drawing on the operational capabilities of EU member states. 

Many women in the EU still earn less than men for the same job. Increased pay transparency and stronger enforcement help close the gender pay gap.

The EU helps to improve public health through funding and legislation on tackling cross-border health threats, medicines, patient's rights in cross-border healthcare, disease prevention and promotion of good health.

The EU wants to strengthen the principle of equal pay for equal work between men and women through new EU rules on pay transparency.