Explainers

The Maastricht Treaty established the European Union, paved the way for the euro and created EU citizenship.

The EU stands with the people of Afghanistan and is committed to supporting Afghan women's rights and the development of a stable, peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan.

The European Union and ASEAN together account for over one fifth of global GDP and have a population of 1.1 billion (over 14% of the world’s total).

The EU sets limits on the amount of fish which can be caught in EU waters to ensure that stocks are not overexploited.

The EU is committed to achieving a low-carbon, resource-efficient, and sustainable economy. Together with its member states, the EU is the biggest provider of climate finance in the world.

The EU has developed strong laws to protect patents, industrial designs, copyrights as well as local agricultural, industrial and craft products.

How does the EU contribute to fighting climate change globally? The EU and its countries are the biggest providers of climate finance in the world.

Water is a limited resource. EU legislation protects water resources and ecosystems, and makes sure that drinking and bathing water is clean.

Political advertising plays a key role in democratic societies. EU rules help ensure there is greater transparency, accountability and respect for citizens’ rights.

107 million Europeans have some form of disability. Find out more facts and figures on living with disabilities in the EU.