THE EUROPEAN UNION

The European Union is made up of democratic European countries working together for political peace and
economic prosperity. The EU was born after World War II, in 1946 Winston Churchill with his speech in
Zurich called for the creation of the United States of Europe and in 1848 presided the first European
federal congress. In order to create the European Union as we know it today, several treaties have been
necessary, such as the Treaty of Rome, the Treaty of Maasticht and the Treaty Schengen.
In 1957 Belgium,France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and West Germany signed the treaty of Rome
which created the European Economic Community (EEC). In 1992, with treaty of Maastricht, The european
identity is born and the new cooperation bodies such as Organisation for economic co-operation and
development (OCED), the european commission (EC) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
Also in economic terms, the European single market is established. Since january 2002, the euro currency
has adopted; today the union counts 27 EU countries because from 31st January 2020 the United Kingdom
has left the European Union.

GOALS AND VALUES

The Eu goals are promote peace; offer freedom, security and justice; sustain development, full employment
and social progress and price stability; combat discrimination; promote scientific and technological
progress; promote solidarity; respect for cultural and linguistic diversity; and establish an economic and
monetary union.
The EU values are human dignity, freedom (protected by the EU Charter of fundamental rights),
democracy,equlity, rule of law and human rights.
The European charter of fundamental rights was written in 2000 but put into effect in 2009.

THE MAIN EU INSTITUTIONS

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT – ROBERTA METSOLA

The European Parliament (EP) is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union (EU).
It is made up of 751 members elected every five years by the citizens of the member states. The European
Parliament has three places of work: Brussels (Belgium), Luxembourg and Strasbourg (france).
- Together with the Council and the European Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the
EU (it discusses, amends and passes laws).
- It exercises democratic supervision over all EU institutions
- It establishes the EU budget, together with the Council.

THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL – CHARLES MIMICHEL

The European Council is the EU’s main decision-making body, although it does not have formal legislative
power. It represents the member states and its meetings are attended by one minister from each of the
EU’s national governments. The meetings take place at least twice every six months in Brussels.
 It co-ordinates economic policies of the member states.
 It develops the EU’s security policy and makes key decisions.
 It concludes international agreements between EU and international organisations.
 It approves the EU’s budget jointly with the European Parliament.
 It passes EU laws.

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION – URSULA VON DER LEYEN

The European Commission (EC), based in Brussels, is the executive body of the EU. The Commission is made
up of 27 members, one per member state, informally known as “commissioners”.
 It proposes laws to Parliament and the Council.
 It manages and implements EU policies and budget.
 It enforces European laws (together with the Court of Justice).
 It represents the EU on negotiations between the EU and other countries.

THE COURT OF JUSTICE – KOEN LENAERTS

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) is the highest court in the European Union. The Court is based in
Luxembourg and it is composed of one judge per member state. The judges are appointed for a period of
six years.
• It ensures EU law is interpreted and applied in the same way in every EU country.
• It settles legal disputes.
• It can also, in certain circumstances, be used by individuals, companies or organisations to take action
against an EU institution, if they feel it has somehow infringed their rights.

THE EUROPEAN COURT OF AUDITORS

The European Court of Auditors (ECA) was established in 1975 in Luxembourg. the Court has no judicial
functions. The Court has one member from each EU country, appointed by the Council for a renewable
term of six years. Its main function is to check that the funds available to the EU are used legally, efficiently
and for their intended purposes.

THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK (ECB) – christine lagarde

European central bank is responsible for keeping prices stable monetary and exchange rate policy. It’s
Frankfurt.

THE COUNCIL OF THE EU (CEU)

It is where nationals ministers from each country meet to adopt laws and coordinate plicies. It works jointly
with the parliament. Each european country holds the presidency for 6 months. Meetings take place in
Brussels but for 3 months they are held in Luxembourg.