The European Union

The European Union is a unique economic and political partnership between 27 European countries.

It has delivered half a century of peace, stability, and prosperity, helped raise living standards, launched a single European currency, and is progressively building a single Europe-wide market in which people, goods, services, and capital move among Member States as freely as within one country.

The EU was created in the aftermath of the second world war. The first steps were to foster economic cooperation: countries that trade with one another are economically interdependent and will thus avoid conflict.

Since then, the union has developed into a huge single market with the euro as its common currency. What began as a purely economic union has evolved into an organisation spanning all areas, from development aid to environmental policy.

The EU actively promotes human rights and democracy and has the most ambitious emission reduction targets for fighting climate change in the world. Thanks to the abolition of border controls between EU countries, it is now possible for people to travel freely within most of the EU. It has also become much easier to live and work in another EU country.

!United in diversity- this is the motto of the EU.

The European flag=The 12 stars in a circle symbolise the ideals of unity, solidarity and harmony among the peoples of Europe.

Europe Day, 9 MayThe ideas behind the European Union were first put forward on 9 May 1950 by French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman. So 9 May is celebrated as the EU’s birthday.

Article 6 (1) of the Treaty

of the European Union

“The Union is founded on the principles

of liberty, democracy, respect

for human rights and fundamental

freedoms, and the rule of law,

principles which are common to the

Member States.”

Article 49 of the Treaty of

the European Union

“Any European State which respects

the principles set out in Article 6(1)

may apply to become a member of the

Union.”

EU institutions and other bodies

In the EU's unique institutional set-up:

the EU's broad priorities are set by the European Council, which brings together national and EU-level leaders

directly elected MEPs represent European citizens in the European Parliament

the interests of the EU as a whole are promoted by the European Commission, whose members are appointed by national governments

governments defend their own countries' national interests in the Council of the European Union.

Setting the agenda

The European Council sets the EU's overall political direction – but has no powers to pass laws. Led by its President – currently Herman Van Rompuy – and comprising national heads of state or government and the President of the Commission, it meets for a few days at a time at least every 6 months.

Law-making

There are 3 main institutions involved in EU legislation:

the European Parliament, which represents the EU’s citizens and is directly elected by them;

the Council of the European Union, which represents the governments of the individual member countries. The Presidency of the Council is shared by the member states on a rotating basis.

the European Commission, which represents the interests of the Union as a whole.

Together, these three institutions produce through the "Ordinary Legislative Procedure" (ex "co-decision") the policies and laws that apply throughout the EU. In principle, the Commission proposes new laws, and the Parliament and Council adopt them. The Commission and the member countries then implement them, and the Commission ensures that the laws are properly applied and implemented.

Other EU institutions

Two other institutions play vital roles:

the Court of Justice upholds the rule of European law

the Court of Auditors checks the financing of the EU's activities.

The powers and responsibilities of all of these institutions are laid down in the Treaties, which are the foundation of everything the EU does. They also lay down the rules and procedures that the EU institutions must follow. The Treaties are agreed by the presidents and/or prime ministers of all the EU countries, and ratified by their parliaments.

The EU has a number of other institutions and interinstitutional bodies that play specialised roles:

the European Economic and Social Committee represents civil society, employers and employees

the Committee of the Regions represents regional and local authorities

the European Investment Bank finances EU investment projects and helps small businesses through the European Investment Fund

the European Central Bank is responsible for European monetary policy

the European Ombudsman investigates complaints about maladministration by EU institutions and bodies

the European Data Protection Supervisor safeguards the privacy of people’s personal data

the Publications Office publishes information about the EU

the European Personnel Selection Office recruits staff for the EU institutions and other bodies

the European Administrative School provides training in specific areas for members of EU staff

Founding treaties

Treaty on European Union (1992)

Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union

Official Journal C 83 of 30.3.2010

pdf

Treaty of Lisbon amending the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty establishing the European Community, signed at Lisbon, 13 December 2007

Treaty of Nice

Treaty of Amsterdam

Directly elected by EU voters every 5 years, members of the European Parliament (MEPs) represent the people. Parliament is one of the EU’s main law-making institutions, along with the Council of the European Union ('the Council').

The European Parliament has three main roles:

debating and passing European laws, with the Council

scrutinising other EU institutions, particularly the Commission, to make sure they are working democratically

debating and adopting the EU's budget, with the Council.

Passing European laws

In many areas, such as consumer protection and the environment, Parliament works together with the Council (representing national governments) to decide on the content of EU laws and officially adopt them. This process is called "Ordinary legislative procedure" (ex "co-decision").

Under the Lisbon Treaty, the range of policies covered by the new ordinary legislative procedure has increased, giving Parliament more power to influence the content of laws in areas including agriculture, energy policy, immigration and EU funds.

Parliament must also give its permission for other important decisions, such as allowing new countries to join the EU.

The current numbers in the Parliament were set, however, before the coming into force of the treaty. The numbers will be adjusted for the next mandate of the European Parliament. For example, the number of MEPs for Germany will thus be reduced from 99 to 96, whilst for Malta this number will increase from 5 to 6.

MEPs are grouped by political affiliation, not by nationality.

Find your MEP

Location

The European Parliament has three places of work – Brussels (Belgium), Luxembourg and Strasbourg (France).

Luxembourg is home to the administrative offices (the ‘General Secretariat’).

Meetings of the whole Parliament (‘plenary sessions’) take place in Strasbourg and in Brussels. Committee meetings are also held in Brussels.

European Council

European Council meetings are essentially summits where EU leaders meet to decide on broad political priorities and major initiatives. Typically, there are around 4 meetings a year, chaired by a permanent president.

Contact

What does it do?

Its role is twofold – setting the EU's general political direction and priorities, and dealing with complex or sensitive issues that cannot be resolved at a lower level of intergovernmental cooperation.

Though influential in setting the EU political agenda, it has no powers to pass laws.

Who exactly is involved?

The European Council brings together the heads of state or government of every EU country, the Commission President and the European Council President, who chairs the meetings. The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy also takes part.

Who is the President of the European Council?

Herman Van Rompuy is the President of the European Council. His term of office began on 1 December 2009 and runs until 31 May 2012.When and where does it meet?

At least every 6 months, though its president can convene a special meeting if needed. Usually in Brussels.

How are decisions taken?

The European Council decides by consensus, except if the Treaties provide otherwise. In some cases, it adopts decisions by unanimity or by qualified majority, depending on what the Treaty provides for.

The presidents of the European Council and Commission, and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy do not have a vote.

History

The European Council began informally in 1974 as a forum for discussion between EU leaders. It rapidly developed into the body which fixed goals and priorities for the bloc.

Acquiring formal status in 1992, in 2009 it became one of the EU’s 7 official institutions.

Council of the European Union

Also informally known as the EU Council, this is where national ministers from each EU country meet to adopt laws and coordinate policies.

Not to be confused with:

European Council – another EU institution, where EU leaders meet around 4 times a year to discuss the EU’s political priorities

Council of Europe – not an EU body at all.

What does it do?

Passes EU laws.

Coordinates the broad economic policies of EU member countries.

Signs agreements between the EU and other countries.

Approves the annual EU budget

Develops the EU's foreign and defence policies.

Coordinates cooperation between courts and police forces of member countries.

European Commission

The European Commission is one of the main institutions of the European Union. It represents and upholds the interests of the EU as a whole. It drafts proposals for new European laws. It manages the day-to-day business of implementing EU policies and spending EU funds.

The 27 Commissioners, one from each EU country, provide the Commission’s political leadership during their 5-year term. Each Commissioner is assigned responsibility for specific policy areas by the President. The current President of the European Commission is José Manuel Barroso who began his second term of office in February 2010.

The President is nominated by the European Council. The Council also appoints the other Commissioners in agreement with the nominated President.

Purpose

The Commission represents and upholds the interests of the EU as a whole. It oversees and implements EU policies by:

proposing new laws to Parliament and the Council

managing the EU's budget and allocating funding

enforcing EU law (together with the Court of Justice)

representing the EU internationally, for example, by negotiating agreements between the EU and other countries.

The Court of Justice of the European Union

The Court of Justice interprets EU law to make sure it is applied in the same way in all EU countries. It also settles legal disputes between EU governments and EU institutions. Individuals, companies or organisations can also bring cases before the Court if they feel their rights have been infringed by an EU institution.

Composition

The Court of Justice has one judge per EU country.

The Court is helped by eight ‘advocates-general’ whose job is to present opinions on the cases brought before the Court. They must do so publicly and impartially.

Each judge and advocate-general is appointed for a term of six years, which can be renewed. The governments of EU countries agree on whom they want to appoint.

To help the Court of Justice cope with the large number of cases brought before it, and to offer citizens better legal protection, a ‘General Court’ deals with cases brought forward by private individuals, companies and some organisations, and cases relating to competition law.

The ‘EU Civil Service Tribunal’ rules on disputes between the European Union and its staff.

Types of cases

The Court gives rulings on the cases brought before it. The five most common types of cases are:

requests for a preliminary ruling – when national courts ask the Court of Justice to interpret a point of EU law

actions for failure to fulfil an obligation – brought against EU governments for not applying EU law

actions for annulment – against EU laws thought to violate the EU treaties or fundamental rights

actions for failure to act – against EU institutions for failing to make decisions required of them

direct actions – brought by individuals, companies or organisations against EU decisions or actions

What is the European Union?

A unique economic and political partnership between 27 democratic European countries.

What are its aims?

Peace, prosperity and freedom for its 495 million citizens — in a fairer, safer world.

What results so far?

Frontier-free travel and trade, the euro (the single European currency), safer food and a greener environment, better living standards in poorer regions, joint action on crime and terror, cheaper phone calls and air travel, millions of opportunities to study abroad … and much more besides.

How does it work?

To make these things happen, EU countries set up bodies to run the EU and adopt its legislation. The main ones are:

the European Parliament (representing the people of Europe);

the Council of the European Union (representing national governments);

the European Commission (representing the common EU interest).

What about the future?

The EU is not perfect — it constantly has to be improved.

It’s up to you! What do you want the EU to do and not to do?

Discuss the issues with your friends, your family, your colleagues.

Then tell the policymakers what you think.

The EU’s future will be decided through dialogue, debate and democracy

From the history of the EU

Chronology

1923

The Austrian Count Coudenhove Kalergi founded the Movement Pan-Europe

1926

First Paneuropean Congress, held in Vienna.

1929

Aristide Briand, French prime minister, called for a federation of European nations in a celebrated speech in the presence of League of Nations Assembly.

1946

Winston Churchill calls for a United States of Europe in a speech given at the Zurich University.

The European Federalists Union is established in Paris.

1948

The Organization for European Economic co-operation (OEEC) was established to administer and organize the dellivery of the Plan Marshal's massive economic aid.

The International Co-ordination of Movements for the Unification of Europe Committee, chaired by Winston Churchill, meets in the Hague.

1949

Foundation of the NATO.

1950

Schuman Declaration

In a speech inspired by Jean Monnet, Robert Schuman, the French Foreign Minister, proposes that France and Germany and any other European country wishing to join them pool their Coal and Steel resources

1951

A meeting to consider the creation of a European Community of Defence is held in Paris. Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg and Germany attend the meeting alongside six observer countries - the United States, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

The Treaty of Paris, establishing the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), is signed.

1952

The Six (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands) sign in Paris the European Defence Community (EDC) Treaty

The ECSC Treaty enters into force. Jean Monnet is appointed President of the High Authority.

1955

The Council of Europe adopts as it emblem the blue flag with 12 golden stars on it.

1958

A conference held in Stresa (Italy) lays down the basis of a common agricultural policy (CAP).

The European Court of Justice is set up in Luxembourg.

1959

Austria, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, decide to establish a European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

1960

The Organisation for European Economic Cooperation (OEEC) becomes the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

1963

French President General Charles de Gaulle doubts the political will of the United Kingdom to join the community - giving rise to his famous "non" to British membership of the EEC.

1966

Luxembourg Compromise. France, after operating an "empty chair" policy for seven months, resumes its place in the Council in return for retention of the unanimity vote when major interests are at stake.

1967

The United Kingdom re-applies to join the Community, followed by Ireland, and Denmark. General de Gaulle is still reluctant to accept British accession.

1972

Denmark, Ireland, and the United Kingdom sign the treaties of accession to the European Communities.

A referendum is held in Norway on the country joining the European Communities. The majority is unfavourable to accession.

1975

At a meeting of the European Council in Rome, ministers decide to establish a European Parliament elected by universal suffrage.

1979

Spanish accession negotiations formally open in Brussels.

The European Monetary System enters into force.

The first elections to the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage are held.

1981

Greece joins the European Communities.

1984

The draft Treaty on the establishment of the European Union (Spinelli draft) is passed by the European Parliament by a large majority.

1985

The new Commission takes office with Jacques Delors, a Frenchman, as its President.

The Schengen Agreement on the elimination of border controls is signed by Belgium, Germany, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands in Schengen (Luxembourg).

1986

The Single European Act, modifying the Treaty of Rome and extending majority voting, is signed.

Spain and Portugal join the European Communities.

1988

Margaret Thatcher gave a eurosceptic speech at the College of Europe in Bruges (Belgium).

1989The fall of the Berlin Wall.

1991 The collapse of communism peaked in 1991 with the Soviet Union break-up.

The disintegration of Yugoslavia brought the war again to our continent.

A European Council Summit is held in Maastricht. It reaches an agreement on the draft treaty on the European monetary union.

1992

The Treaty on the European Union is signed in Maastricht by the Foreign and Finance Ministers of the Member States.

1994

The Norwegian referendum rejects accession to the European Union.

1995Austria, Finland and Sweden become members of the European Union.

1997

The Treaty of Amsterdam was signed by the Foreign Ministers of the fifteen member countries of the European Union.

The European Council meets in Amsterdam and reaches a consensus on a draft treaty for a new phase of economic and monetary union and adopts a resolution on growth and employment.

1999

The single currency, the euro, was launched on 1 January. Eleven member states adopted the new currency but three countries - Denmark, Sweden, and the UK - decided to defer a decision. The new currency has not been a resounding success - in its first year its value fell by about 30% in relation to other leading currencies.

The Cologne European Council adopts the first European Union common strategy, which concerns Russia, and declarations on Kosovo and on the strengthening of European common foreign and security policy, and designates Mr Javier Solana Madariaga High Representative for the CFSP and Secretary-General of the Council.

After a scathing report suggesting corruption and mismanagement in the European Commission, all 20 commissioners and the president, Jacques Santer, were forced to step down.

2000

The opening session of the Ministerial Intergovernemental Conferences for accession negotiations of Malta, Romania, Slovakia, Latvia, Lithuania and Bulgaria, is held in Brussels.

2001

Following the December 2000 European Council meeting held in Nice, France, a new Treaty amending the Treaty on European Union and the Treaties establishing the European Communities, is signed (Treaty of Nice).

Who can join?

The requirements for joining the EU have been spelled out with increasing precision over the

course of its evolution, to provide clarity for its own citizens and guidance to countries wishing to join.

Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union states that any European country may apply for membership if it respects the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law.

A country can only become a member if it fulfils all criteria for accession as first defined by the

European Council in Copenhagen in 1993, and reinforced in 1995. These criteria are: