European Union
The European Union (EU) is a family of democratic European countries, committed to working together for peace and prosperity. It is not a state intended to replace existing states, but it is more than any other international organization. The EU is, in fact, unique. Its member states have set up common institutions to which they delegate some of their sovereignty so that decisions on specific matters of joint interest can be made democratically at European level. This pooling of sovereignty is also called “European integration”.
The historical roots of the European Union lie in the World War II. The idea of European integration was conceived to prevent such killing and destruction from ever happening again. It was first proposed by the French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman in a speech on May, 9, 1950. This date, the “birthday” of what is now the EU, is celebrated annually as Europe Day.
There are five EU institutions, each playing a specific role:
European Parliament (elected by the people of the member states); Council of the European Union (representing the governments of the member states); European Commission (Driving force and executive body); Court of Justice (ensuring compliance with the law); Court of Auditors (controlling sound and lawful management of the EU budget).
These are flanked by five other important bodies:
European Economic and Social Committee (Expresses the opinions of organized civil society on economic and social issues); Committee of the Regions (expresses the opinions of regional and local authorities); European Central Bank (responsible for monetary policy and managing the euro); European Ombudsman (deals with citizen’ complaints about maladministration by any EU institution or body); European Investment Bank (helps achieve EU institution or financing investment projects); A number of agencies and other bodies complete the system.
The rule of law is fundamental to the European Union. All EU decisions and procedures are based on the
The historical roots of the European Union lie in the World War II. The idea of European integration was conceived to prevent such killing and destruction from ever happening again. It was first proposed by the French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman in a speech on May, 9, 1950. This date, the “birthday” of what is now the EU, is celebrated annually as Europe Day.
There are five EU institutions, each playing a specific role:
European Parliament (elected by the people of the member states); Council of the European Union (representing the governments of the member states); European Commission (Driving force and executive body); Court of Justice (ensuring compliance with the law); Court of Auditors (controlling sound and lawful management of the EU budget).
These are flanked by five other important bodies:
European Economic and Social Committee (Expresses the opinions of organized civil society on economic and social issues); Committee of the Regions (expresses the opinions of regional and local authorities); European Central Bank (responsible for monetary policy and managing the euro); European Ombudsman (deals with citizen’ complaints about maladministration by any EU institution or body); European Investment Bank (helps achieve EU institution or financing investment projects); A number of agencies and other bodies complete the system.
The rule of law is fundamental to the European Union. All EU decisions and procedures are based on the