This year, the EU's 50th, the top ten achievements include leading the fight against climate change and the treaty of Lisbon.
We often don't realise the many ways in which the EU helps to improve our lives. This year's Top Ten gives a glimpse of how our concerns - as citizens, consumers, workers – are the real focus of the Union's everyday activities.
Most recently, EU leaders adopted the treaty of Lisbon to make the 27-nation Union more efficient and more democratic, giving greater powers to the European parliament and ensuring that national parliaments have a greater say in EU policy making.
Another important achievement has been the creation of new jobs, with unemployment across Europe falling in 2007 thanks in part to a robust European economy and the price stability brought by a strong euro.
The EU has also assumed its responsibility as a global leader, spearheading the fight against global warming and its consequences.
Passport-free travel under the Schengen agreement has been further extended, to include most of the countries which joined the EU in 2004.
Keeping a promise it made in 2006, the commission has also forced down the cost of using mobile phones whilst travelling across Europe.
Other successes this year include:
the promotion of democracy world-wide, as seen by the growing demand for EU election monitors households across the EU have been able to choose their electricity and gas supplier cheaper airfares to the USA, through an 'open skies' agreement signed earlier this year healthy eating - promoted with September's reforms to the production and marketing of fruit and vegetables safeguarding consumer interests - EU competition policy prevents dominant companies using their market power to restrict competition. More information is available on Europe and you in 2007 website.
Author: European Commission
