What do you know about the EU

Who were the founding members of the EU?

• Belgium. France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands and Spain

• Belgium. France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands

• Belgium. France, Germany, Luxembourg , Denmark and the Netherlands

Answer explanation

The founding members of the EU were: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Spain joined the European Communities in 1986. Denmark joined in 1973.

What was the organisation they created in 1957 called?

• The European Economic Community

• The European Coal and Steel Community

• The European Economic and Social Community

Answer explanation

The European Economic Community was created by the Treaty of Rome, which was signed in the Italian capital on 25 March 1957.

The European Coal and Steel Community was created some years earlier by the Treaty of Paris, which was signed on 18 April 1951 and came into force on 23 July 1952.

The first enlargement of the EU in 1973 brought its membership to nine.

Which were these three new countries?

• Denmark, Ireland and UK

• Norway, Denmark and Spain

• UK, Norway and Iceland

Answer explanation

Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom joined the European Communities on 1 January 1973. In joining Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, the new countries brought the total membership to nine.

The fall of the Berlin Wall cleared the way for central and eastern European countries that were previously controlled by the former Soviet Union to reform their systems and join the EU.

Which of these statements is true?

• 10 central and european countries joines EU in 2004 bringing the EU membership to 25

• 8 countries from eastern and central Europe and 2 mediteterranean islands joined the EU in 2004

• Ten countries, including Israel and Turkey joined de EU in 2004

Answer explanation

In 2004, ten countries joined the EU: eight from central and eastern Europe — Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia — and the Mediterranean island countries of Cyprus and Malta.

The historic enlargement brought the total number of member states to 25.

The European flag flies above parliaments, buildings, parks and monuments all over Europe.

What do the 12 golden stars on a blue background represent?

• The number of contries that were part of the EU when the flag was designed

• Unity, solidarity and harmony among the people of Europe

• The circle of knowledge and truth

Answer explanation

The European flag symbolises both the European Union and, more broadly, the ideals of unity, solidarity and harmony among the peoples of Europe.

How many official languages does the EU have?

• 24

• 23

• 19

• 4

Answer explanation

With Croatia joining the EU in 2013, the European Union now has 24 official languages. This means that you can write to the EU institutions in any of the official languages, and receive a reply in the same language.

Although there may sometimes be disagreements between EU countries, the basic principles behind the EU have remained unchanged for more than six decades. In 2012, the European Union was recognised for its work in uniting the continent.

Which award did it receive?

• The Nobel Price

• The Charlemagne Price

• The Princesa de Asturias Price

Answer explanation

It was the Noble Price

The EU treaties govern how decisions are made and in which areas the EU acts jointly.

In which European city was the latest treaty signed?

• Roma

• Amsterdam

• Lisboa

• Paris

Answer explanation

The Treaty of Lisbon was signed in the Portuguese capital on 13 December 2007 and became law on 1 December 2009. It sought to make the EU more democratic, more efficient and better able to address global problems, such as climate change, with one voice.

Climate change is a major challenge to the EU and the world. The EU aims to become climate-neutral - an economy with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. All the EU governments have agreed to reach this goal by a given target date.

By when is the EU striving to be climate neutral?

• 2030

• 2040

• 2050

• 2100

Answer explanation

The EU’s goal is to become climate neutral by 2050. The transition to a climate-neutral society is an urgent challenge but also an opportunity to make Europe’s economy sustainable. The EU wants to reduce its emissions of greenhouse gases, and create a society that uses less natural resources, and produces less waste and pollution.

Geolocation is at the heart of the digital revolution. The EU has invested in its own global satellite navigation system.

What is it called?

• Gaia

• Galilei

• Galileo

• Cristiano Ronaldo

Answer explanation

The EU’s global satellite navigation system is named Galileo, after the 16th century Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei.

It will increase geolocation precision tenfold and will enable new innovative services that could transform our daily lives, such as autonomous cars and improved urban transport networks.