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.

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.

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.

The European Union is among the safest regions in the world when it comes to transport. The EU works to ensure transport safety through a combination of legislation, funding, coordination, and technical expertise.

Discover what the EU is doing to make maritime transport more competitive, greener and safer.