European Union

The European Union (EU is) both an inter-governmental and supranational organization of 25 states from across Europe. It dates back to the 1950s, when it started as an economic association of six countries.

There are four main institutions: The Council of the European Union, the European Parliament, the European Court of Justice and the European Commission.

The Council of the European Union (also referred to as Council of Ministers) comprises representatives of the governments of the 25 EU member states. It meets in different formations, depending on the subject matter under discussion (e.g. foreign ministers, finance ministers, etc.). The Council is one of the two legislative bodies of the EU, the other being the European Parliament. The Council also proposes the members of the European Commission, which have to be approved by the Parliament. Governments take in turns the six-month presidency of the EU. For the second half of 2005, the British government of prime minister Tony Blair is in charge of running the Council.

The European Parliament (EP) is an assembly of 625 members directly elected by the people in the member states every five years. The parliament has its official seat in Strasbourg, but also meets in Brussels. It acts as legislator, controls the EU's budget and the European Commission. Currently, the center-right European People's Party holds a plurality of seats in the EP, but needs some support from Social Democrats, Liberals or Greens to pass legislation. The EP often votes in a non-partisan way.

The European Commission in Brussels is the largest body in the Union and performs the role of executive. It proposes news legislation and veils over its implementation in the member states. The president of the Commission currently is the former Portuguese prime minister José Manuel Durão Barroso. He and his colleagues - one from each member state - head the different departments of the Commission, called "directorates-general". The Commission relies on the confidence of a majority in the European Parliament.

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) in Luxembourg checks whether EU law is properly applied in the member states and whether national and EU law are compatible. In several landmark rulings, the 25 judges of the ECJ have considerably extended the remit of the Union's competence and jurisdiction.

The EU's activities cover all policy areas, from agriculture and economic policy to health and foreign affairs. However, the nature of its powers differs depending on the policy area. Depending on the powers transferred to it by its member states, the EU therefore resembles a federation (e.g. monetary affairs, agricultural, trade and environmental policy), a confederation (e.g. in social and economic policy, consumer protection, internal affairs), or a loose international organization (e.g. in foreign affairs).

A key achievement of the Union has been the establishment and administration of a single market, consisting of a customs union, the single currency euro (currently adopted by 12 of the 25 member states), and a common agricultural and fisheries policy.