GT3

What is the global economic significance of the EU in terms of population and GDP?

The EU has only 6% of the world's population but produces 22% of the global GDP.

What makes the EU a major player in global trade and investment?

The EU is the first emitter and receiver of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and is a major agricultural exporter with €200 billion in agro exports.

How is the EU integrated economically and how does this benefit trade?

The EU has an internal market and is the largest single market globally, hosting 450 million people.

What role does the euro play in global finance?

The euro is the second most used currency in the world.

How does the EU support multinational corporations and industrial logistics?

The EU is a global metropolis that hosts headquarters of multinationals and Rotterdam handles 15 million containers and 500 million tons of cargo annually.

What is MERCOSUR’s trade arrangement with the EU often described as and what does it involve?

The MERCOSUR trade deal with the EU is described as “cars for cows”, referring to EU car exports in exchange for agricultural imports from MERCOSUR.

What is the significance of the CETA agreement for EU-Canada trade?

The CETA agreement removes 98% of tariffs and increases trade by 25%.

What is the amount allocated by the EU to new and candidate countries?

€63 billion is allocated by the EU to new and candidate countries.

What is the EU's status in global development aid?

The EU is the largest donor of development aid, providing $100 billion.

What was Operation Atalanta and when did it begin?

Operation Atalanta is a European naval force mission that began in 2008.

What is the European Neighborhood Program and which regions does it target?

The European Neighborhood Program targets Ukraine and the Maghreb region.

What is the EU’s involvement in environmental diplomacy?

The EU promotes green diplomacy and played a key role in the 2015 Paris Agreement.

How many tourists visit the EU annually?

750 million tourists visit the EU annually.

How many people have participated in the Erasmus program?

1.3 million people have participated in the Erasmus program.

What is the "Brussels effect" and give an example?

The "Brussels effect" refers to EU norms influencing global standards, such as GDPR.

What is the scale of EU cultural and heritage recognition by UNESCO?

The EU has 400 UNESCO recognized sites.

What is an example of EU program that promotes soft power

DiscoverEU

What proportion of EU trade is intra-EU and what are key cooperative regions?

Two-thirds of EU trade is intra-EU, with a Franco-German border being a key area of cooperation.

How many countries are in the Schengen Area and what does it facilitate?

The Schengen Area includes 29 countries and facilitates passport-free travel.

How many cross border programs

over 60 existing.

What areas show strong regional integration in the EU?

Strong regional integration is seen in space (ESA), the Eurozone, and common digital policy.

What are some cross-border regions

France-Germany border (ex

What are key transport hubs and projects in the EU?

SNCF operates in France, especially on the Paris-Lyon route; the Northern Range includes Rotterdam handling 15 million containers and 500 million tons; the Rhine-Rhone high-speed project is underway.

Which airports in the EU handle about 30 million passengers?

Airports in Paris and Munich each handle about 30 million passengers.

What countries are less intergrated due to transport?

Croatia, Poland, Romania

How many people are employed in the transport sector

10 million

How much has been invested in East Germany since reunification and what are its economic contrasts with Bavaria and Saxony?

€500 billion has been invested in East Germany since reunification; Bavaria contributes 18% to the GDP while Saxony contributes 4.6%.

What percentage of the EU budget is dedicated to cohesion policy and how much does it amount to?

One-third of the EU budget is dedicated to cohesion policy, amounting to €370 billion.

What is the economic trend in Salzgitter and what does it indicate?

Salzgitter is shrinking by 15.2%, indicating regional economic decline.

What are some examples of isolated or protesting regions in EU territories?

Guadeloupe and Guyane are isolated outermost regions, with protests in 2007 and 2017.

What region represents the economic core of the EU and includes major metropolises?

The Northern Range, including the European megalopolis, is the core economic region and contains most of the major EU metropolises.

What agricultural trend is dominant in the EU’s PAC policy and who benefits most?

The PAC allocates 82% of its subsidies to big farms.

Which areas are the least developed and most rural in the EU?

The least developed areas are landlocked rural regions in the south and east, including former communist and outermost regions.

What is the role of the ESF and where has it been applied for social policy and education?

The ESF supports social policies and education, such as addressing unemployment in Andalusia.

What does the ERDF fund and give an example?

The ERDF funds modernization and infrastructure, such as the modernization of a code station in Poland.

What is the main aim of EU cohesion policies?

The main aim of EU cohesion policies is to reduce inequalities and support regions with GDP per capita less than 80% of the EU average.

How much funding is allocated through cohesion funds and what is an example of its use?

Cohesion funds amount to €63.4 billion, including €27 million allocated to Romania to develop an industrial zone.

What percentage of the CAP budget goes to large farms and what recent reforms focus on sustainability?

82% of the CAP budget goes to large farms; recent reforms include the Green CAP and RED initiatives.

What is the status of the Netherlands in global agricultural exports?

The Netherlands is the world’s 2nd largest agricultural exporter with 1.6% of the EU population.

What portion of the EU budget is dedicated to CAP and how much does the EU export in agriculture?

CAP accounts for 1/3 of the EU budget, and the EU is a world leader in agriculture with €200 billion in exports.

When was the CAP established and what are the main goals of the 2020 reform?

The CAP was established in 1962; the 2020 reform focuses on minimum income support and rural development.

What is the EU's military capability and reliance on NATO?

The EU has no army and is dependent on NATO.

What percentage of weapons are interoperable between EU members?

18% of weapons are interoperable between EU members.

What political challenges related to democracy and rule of law does the EU face?

The EU faces challenges such as Brexit, Poland’s Article 7 violations, and Hungary’s “illiberal democracy” costing €13 billion.

What were the EU’s energy import dependencies before the Ukraine crisis?

Before Ukraine, the EU imported 90% of its oil and 70% of its gas.

What political issues affect EU decision-making and sanctions?

Unanimity is required, leading to blocks like Cyprus blocking sanctions on Belarus.

What term describes varying levels of integration within the EU?

The EU is described as a “multi-speed Europe.”

What is the amount of AI funding in the EU and how does it compare to China and the USA?

The EU allocates €40 billion to AI funding, with 75% of EU AI startups compared to China’s $100 billion, and many startups moving to the USA for funding.

What is the EU’s share of the semiconductor market compared to the US and Taiwan?

The EU has 3% of the semiconductor market, while the US has 63% and Taiwan is a major player.

How does the presence of GAFA companies in the EU compare to the USA?

The EU has no GAFA companies; combined EU unicorns total about 1/10

How many different data protection regimes exist in the EU?

There are 28 different data protection regimes across the EU.

What is Romania’s broadband internet penetration compared to the EU benchmark?

Romania has 30% broadband penetration versus the EU benchmark of 99%.

What is the "Blue Banana" in the EU economic context and how does US inflation reduction affect EU firms?

The "Blue Banana" is the EU’s core economic zone producing 40% of GDP for 20% of the territory; US inflation reduction causes EU firms to move to the USA.

What are the economic disparities in GDP per capita among Eastern EU countries?

Bulgaria’s GDP per capita is €12,800, EU average €33,200

How has brain drain affected Lithuania ?

Brain drain is 12%

What happened to interest rates after COVID-19

Interest rates increased by 4% after the pandemic

How much percent of polish funds for infrastructure go to western contractors

60%

How much funding does Poland and Europe receive for energy transition?

Poland needs €806 billion for energy transition, while Europe as a whole receives 17,5 billion.

What recent protest involved French farmers and what trade deal does it relate to?

French farmers blocked Paris in protest over the MERCOSUR trade deal.

What is China’s role in the solar panel supply chain?

China dominates 80% of the solar panel supply chain.

What percentage of EU rare earths needed for green transition come from China?

45.7% of EU rare earths for the green transition come from China.

What spatial inequalities exist within the EU?

There are north/south and east/west divides in trade and development.

What is the significance of the European megalopolis in terms of population and territory?

The European megalopolis has 40% of the GDP but only 20% of the territory.

What happended to delocalisation in eastern europe?

the workforce is often skilled but cheaper, leading companies like Renault to relocate to Romania.

Where are key European institutions located?

The European Central Bank is in Frankfurt and the European Parliament is in Strasbourg.

What challenges do the northern and eastern peripheries of the Paris face?

They have high unemployment, poor transportation, and low academic achievement.

What characterizes central Paris economically and in terms of tourism?

Central Paris attracts 44 million tourists and hosts the second largest financial sector. La Défense is a major financial centre and paris as €170 billion in investments

What infrastructure project supports Paris’s connectivity?

The Grand Paris Express supports connectivity in Paris = 200km of metro