The European Union represents the EU. What is the European Union

Such changes are explained by the fact that initially the idea of ​​​​unification of countries in the European Economic Community, and now - in European Union was of a supranational character. Accordingly, those institutions that added supranational status to their status became more influential.

The main institutions of EU power:

European Council
The European Council is a summit of the heads of state and government of the EU member states and their deputies - the ministers of foreign affairs. The President of the European Commission is also a member of the European Council. The creation of the European Council was based on the idea of ​​the French President Charles de Gaulle to hold informal summits of the leaders of the states of the European Union, which was intended to prevent the decline in the role of nation states within the framework of integration education. Informal summits have been held since 1961; in 1974, at the summit in Paris, this practice was formalized at the suggestion of Valerie Giscard d'Estaing, who at that time was the President of France.

The Council determines the main strategic directions for the development of the EU. The development of a general line of political integration is the main mission of the European Council. Along with the Council of Ministers, the European Council has the political function of amending the fundamental treaties of European integration. It meets at least twice a year, either in Brussels or in the Presiding State, chaired by a representative of the Member State chairing the given time Council of the European Union. The meetings last two days.

Council decisions are binding on the states that support them.

The European Council should be distinguished from the Council of the EU and from the Council of Europe The European Council is not formally included in the structure of the institutions of the European Union. Within its framework, the so-called "ceremonial" leadership is carried out, when the presence of politicians of the highest level gives the decision taken both significance and high legitimacy.

European Commission
The European Commission is the main driving force behind the European Union. The European Commission consists of 27 members, one from each member state. When exercising their powers, they are independent, act only in the interests of the EU, and are not entitled to engage in any other activity. Member States have no right to influence members of the European Commission.

The European Commission is formed every 5 years as follows. The Council of the EU, at the level of Heads of State and/or Government, proposes the candidature of the President of the European Commission, which is approved by the European Parliament. Further, the Council of the EU, together with the candidate for the presidency of the Commission, form the proposed composition of the European Commission, taking into account the wishes of the member states. The composition of the "cabinet" must be approved by the European Parliament and finally approved by the Council of the EU. Each member of the Commission is responsible for a specific area of ​​EU policy and heads the relevant unit (the so-called General Directorate).

The Commission plays a central role in ensuring the day-to-day activities of the EU towards the implementation of the fundamental Treaties. It comes up with legislative initiatives, and after approval controls their implementation. In case of violation of EU legislation, the Commission has the right to resort to sanctions, including appeal to the European Court of Justice. The Commission has significant autonomy in various policy areas, including agricultural, trade, competition, transport, regional, etc. The Commission has an executive apparatus, as well as manages the budget and various funds and programs of the European Union (such as the Tacis program) .

The main working languages ​​of the Commission are English, French and German. The headquarters of the European Commission is located in Brussels.

Council of the EU
The Council of the EU, or the Council of Ministers of the EU, is a body endowed with a number of functions of both executive and legislative power, and therefore is often regarded as a key institution in the decision-making process at the level of the European Union. The Council was created in 1952 and was intended to balance the European Commission. However, the competences of these bodies are clearly divided. While the European Commission plays a more administrative role, the Council of Ministers of the EU exercises political leadership. The Council plays a key role in those areas of European integration where decision-making takes place at the intergovernmental level. In the terminology of the temple structure of the Maastricht Treaty, one can say that the Council is most competent in those issues that can be attributed to the second and third pillars of European integration (joint foreign policy and security policy and domestic cooperation). At the same time, the Council of the EU is part of the body of institutions of the legislative power of the European Union. Some researchers (S. Hicks) consider the Council of Ministers as the upper house in political system European Union. In fact, any legal act of the European Union must be approved by the Council, but a number of legal acts, as well as the budget of the European Union, are subject to a joint decision of the Council and the European Parliament.

The Council consists of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Member States of the European Union. However, the practice of convening the Council in the composition of other, sectoral ministers has been developed: economy and finance, justice and internal affairs, agriculture, etc. Decisions of the Council are equally valid regardless of the specific composition that made the decision. The Presidency of the Council of Ministers is exercised by EU Member States in alphabetical order. The rotation takes place every six months.

In the early days of the European Community, most decisions of the Council required a unanimous decision. Gradually, the method of making decisions by a qualified majority of votes is gaining more and more use. At the same time, each state has a certain number of votes, depending on its population and economic potential.

Numerous working groups on specific issues operate under the auspices of the Council. Their task is to prepare decisions of the Council and to control the European Commission in case certain powers of the Council are delegated to it.

Since the Paris Treaty, there has been a trend of selective delegation of power from nation states (directly or through the Council of Ministers) to the European Commission. The signing of new "package" agreements added new competencies to the European Union, which entailed the delegation of large executive powers to the European Commission. However, the European Commission is not free to implement policy; in certain areas, national governments have tools to control its activities. Another trend is the strengthening of the role of the European Parliament. It should be noted that despite the evolution made by the European Parliament from a purely advisory body to an institution that has received the right to joint decision and even approval, the powers of the European Parliament are still very limited. Therefore, the balance of power in the system of EU institutions is still in favor of the Council of Ministers.

The delegation of powers from the European Council is highly selective and does not jeopardize the value of the Council of Ministers.

European Parliament
The European Parliament is an assembly of 786 deputies directly elected by the citizens of EU member states for a term of five years. The President of the European Parliament is elected for two and a half years. Members of the European Parliament are united not on a national basis, but in accordance with a political orientation.

The main role of the European Parliament is the approval of the EU budget. In addition, almost any decision of the Council of the EU requires either the approval of the Parliament, or at least a request for its opinion. Parliament controls the work of the Commission and has the right to dissolve it (which, however, he never used).

The approval of the Parliament is also required when accepting new members to the Union, as well as when concluding agreements on associate membership and trade agreements with third countries.

The last elections to the European Parliament were held in 2004. The European Parliament holds plenary sessions in Strasbourg and Brussels.

European Court
The European Court of Justice (officially the Court of Justice of the European Communities) sits in Luxembourg and is the highest judicial body of the EU.

The Court regulates disputes between member states; between Member States and the European Union itself; between EU institutions; between the EU and natural or legal entities including members of its organs (the Civil Service Tribunal was recently created for this function). The Court gives opinions on international agreements; it also issues preliminary (prejudicial) rulings on requests from national courts for the interpretation of the founding treaties and EU regulations. Decisions of the EU Court of Justice are binding on the territory of the EU. By general rule The jurisdiction of the EU Court of Justice extends to the areas of competence of the EU.

In accordance with the Maastricht Treaty, the Court was granted the right to impose fines on Member States that do not comply with its rulings.

The Court is composed of 27 judges (one from each of the Member States) and eight Advocates General. They are appointed for a six-year term, renewable. Half of the judges are renewed every three years.

The Court played a huge role in the formation and development of EU law. Many, even the fundamental principles of the Union's legal order, are based not on international treaties, but on precedent decisions of the Court.

The EU Court of Justice should be distinguished from the European Court of Human Rights.

Chamber of Auditors
The Court of Auditors was established in 1975 to audit budget of the EU and its institutions. Compound. The Chamber is composed of representatives of the member states (one from each member state). They are appointed by the Council by unanimous decision for a term of six years and are completely independent in the performance of their duties.

European Central Bank
The European Central Bank was formed in 1998 from the banks of 11 EU countries that are members of the Eurozone (Germany, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Austria, Portugal, Finland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg). Greece, which adopted the euro on January 1, 2001, became the twelfth country in the euro area.

Economic and Social Committee
(Economic and Social Committee) - an advisory body of the EU. Formed in accordance with the Treaty of Rome.

Compound. Consists of 222 members, called advisers (24 each from France, Germany, Italy and Great Britain, 21 from Spain, 12 each from Belgium, Greece, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden and Austria, 9 each from Denmark, Ireland and Finland , 6 from Luxembourg).

Functions. Advise the Council and the Commission on EU social and economic policy issues. Represents various sectors of the economy and social groups (employers, employees and freelancers employed in industry, agriculture, the service sector, as well as representatives of public organizations).

Members of the Committee are appointed by the Council by unanimous decision for a period of 4 years. The Committee elects a Chairman from among its members for a term of 2 years. After the admission of new states to the EU, the membership of the Committee will not exceed 350 people (see Table 2).

Location of the meetings. The Committee meets once a month in Brussels.

Committee of the Regions (Committee of the Regions).
The Committee of the Regions is an advisory body that ensures the representation of regional and local administrations in the work of the EU. The Committee was established in accordance with the Maastricht Treaty and has been operating since March 1994.

Consists of 222 members representing regional and local bodies, but completely independent in the performance of their duties. The number of members per country is the same as in the Economic and Social Committee. Candidates are approved by the Council by unanimous decision on the proposals of the Member States for a period of 4 years. The Committee elects a Chairman and other officers from among its members for a period of 2 years. After the admission of new member states to the EU, the membership of the Committee will not exceed 350 people.

Functions. Advise the Council and the Commission and give opinions on all issues affecting the interests of the regions.

Location of the sessions. Plenary sessions are held in Brussels 5 times a year

European Ombudsman Institute
The European Ombudsman Institute deals with citizens' complaints about the mismanagement of an EU institution or body. The decisions of this body are not binding, but have significant social and political impact.

15 specialized agencies and bodies
European monitoring center against racism and xenophobia, Europol, Eurojust. br>

one of the main interstate European integration structures. The idea of ​​establishing such an association was formulated in the Treaty of Rome in 1957 on the creation of the "Common Market". Formed on the basis of the European Community in accordance with the Maastricht Treaty of 1992 (Maastricht is a city in the Netherlands) in 1993. Initially, 12 states became its participants: Belgium, Great Britain, Germany, Greece, Denmark, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and France; In 1994 Austria, Norway, Finland and Sweden joined the EU. On May 1, 2004, 10 more countries joined it: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Cyprus, Malta, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia. Turkey and some CIS countries are striving to join the organization. The goal of the EU is to create within the framework of the concept of "Europe without borders" a single political, economic and monetary space, to complete the formation of a single market with the removal of all obstacles to the free movement of goods, services, capital and people. The EU countries coordinate their actions in the field of international relations, security, domestic policy, in the legal norm-setting area, as well as in the field of ecology, the fight against human rights violations, crime, drug trafficking, etc. A common monetary policy is being implemented, with 2002 a single continental currency "Euro" was introduced, a single European citizenship was established. The EU is implementing the concept of European identity in the field of defense and the formation of its own military structures. The Foreign Policy Concept of the Russian Federation 2000 states that Russia sees the EU as one of its most important political and economic partners and will strive to develop intensive, sustainable and long-term cooperation with it.

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European Union (EU)

the world pole of economic power (along with the USA and the Asia-Pacific region). An international organization that created the trade, customs, economic and monetary union of the United Europe. The EU is an integration association in the field of foreign policy, justice, internal affairs and European security.

The process of European economic integration is based on four freedoms. It is the freedom of movement of goods, services, capital and labor. Europe is moving towards political unification through the common market.

The beginning of integration was laid in 1950 by a declaration made by French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman. In 1951, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and France signed in Paris the Treaty Establishing the European Coal and Steel Community, and in 1957 the Treaty Establishing the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy Community. By 1968, the creation was completed Customs Union, and in subsequent years the United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark, Greece, Spain and Portugal join the Community. In 1992, 12 member countries signed the Treaty on European Union in Maastricht, marking new stage integration in order to introduce a single currency, conduct a common foreign policy and ensure security. In the 90s, the creation of a single market was completed, which ensured the free movement of goods, services, capital and citizens within the EU. It took half a century for the Western European peoples, who have a centuries-old culture of free enterprise and human rights, to gradually build a common European home step by step. In addition to a possible limited expansion to the east, the formula of European integration is changing from a "Europe of States" to a "Europe of Regions". In 2000, the EU included 15 Western European countries.

The EU budget is formed from its own resources, primarily from deductions from the VAT collection in the member countries. The annual EU budget of about $100 billion (in the second half of the 1990s) is four hundred times the budget of the Council of Europe.

European integration required a long time, patience and perseverance. The creation of the EU went through the gradual formation of an industrial and agricultural "common market", an economic and monetary union. A smooth transformation was required to develop a common agreement among the member countries, taking into account their special problems. In its activities, the EU relies simultaneously on the governments of the member countries and on its own strong organizational structure. The EU is a legal association. The institutions of the EU are empowered to adopt by-laws - real European laws, to be directly applied throughout the Union. The Council of Ministers develops laws, acting on the basis of proposals from the European Commission together with the European Parliament. Thus, European law has gradually developed, mainly commercial, economic, social and in the field of competition and protection regulation. environment.

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interstate association that combines the features international organization and a federal state arose in 1993 on the basis of the European Communities. The EU Treaty, signed in 1992 in "Maastricht (Netherlands) by the Heads of State and Government of the 12 Member States of the European Communities, entered into force on November 1, 1993. The Treaty introduces EU citizenship in addition to national citizenship. The EU is based on three bases: European Communities with additions and forms of cooperation provided for by the Treaty on European Union, joint foreign policy and international security policy, cooperation in domestic and legal policy As of May 1, 1997, the EU included 15 member states: Austria, Belgium, Great Britain, Germany , Greece, Denmark, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Finland, France, Sweden The EU bodies are: a) European Council b) European Parliament c) Council of the European Union d) European Commission e) European Court of Justice These bodies exercise their powers in accordance with the letter and spirit of the treaties establishing the European Communities, subsequent to the treaties moat and acts adopted to supplement or amend them, and in accordance with the rules of the EU Treaty.

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EUROPEAN UNION (EU)

the largest integration association, which includes 15 countries: Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg (since 1958), Great Britain, Denmark and Ireland (since 1973), Greece (since 1981), Spain and Portugal 1985), Austria, Finland and Sweden (since 1995). The goal of the EU is to promote sustainable and harmonious economic and social progress, especially by creating a space without internal borders, economic and social cohesion and the creation of an economic and monetary union. Row European states granted the status of an associated member of the EU (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, etc.).

The EU is built on the basis of the European Communities. At the Maastricht Summit (December 9-11, 1991), the heads of state and (or) governments of 12 member states of the European Community approved the EU Treaty (hereinafter referred to as the Treaty), which was signed by them on February 7, 1992. The Treaty is intended to promote the transformation of the EU into a political, and then into an economic and monetary union. Union citizenship is established, every citizen of an EU Member State is a citizen of the Union and has the right to free movement and permanent residence on the territory of the Member States of the EU in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty. The Union proceeds from the principle of respect for the fundamental rights of the individual, as guaranteed by the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, signed on 4 November 1950 in Rome. In addition, the Treaty contains provisions on cooperation and interaction in the field of judicial practice and internal affairs, foreign policy, security, and the social sphere.

The EU bodies are: the European Council, the Council of the EU, the Commission of the European Communities (CES), the European Parliament, the European Court of Justice, etc.

The European Council discusses the strategic issues of the EU. Held at the level of heads of state or government: meets at least 2 times a year; submits to the European Parliament a report on each of its meetings and an annual written report on the progress of the EU. The agreements reached on the basis of consensus serve as directives for the development and implementation of the common policy of the EU member states.

The Council of the EU is the main decision-making body on the practical aspects of the EU's activities. These decisions concern the most important issues of the economic policy of the EU member states. Meetings, as a rule, are held monthly at the level of ministers (foreign affairs, trade, economy, finance, agriculture, etc.). Sometimes two or more ministers from each state participate in Council meetings, depending on the nature of the issues under consideration. In a number of states, special posts of "European ministers" have been created as part of governments. The Council of the EU ensures the representation and protection of the interests of the Member States in the process of their harmonization and implementation. The implementation of the tasks assigned by the Council, the preparation of its meetings is entrusted to the Committee, consisting of permanent representatives of the EU member states. Representatives on the Committee have the rank of ambassadors and are appointed by their respective governments, usually on long term. The Committee has its own apparatus and, if necessary, creates working groups to implement the tasks assigned to it. Decisions on the issues under discussion are taken by the Committee by consensus.

CES is a supranational executive body, a kind of government (informally it is called the European Commission, or the European Commission). The Commission is engaged in daily work on the implementation of a single EU policy, takes the steps necessary to form and improve the internal law of the EU. Monitors the observance by both states and private companies of the general rules of conduct and standards established by the founding treaties and acts of the EU. Prepares draft documents and decisions for approval by the EU Council. It is empowered to make independent decisions on a wide range of issues within the jurisdiction of the EU. The European Commission is designed to function exclusively in the interests of the EU as a whole and has significant independence from national governments. Consists of 17 members who are selected on the basis of their competence and whose independence is not in doubt. Governments of member states. by common agreement and after consultation with the European Parliament, determine the candidate they intend to appoint to the post of President of the European Commission. The governments of the Member States, in consultation with the candidate for the chair of the Commission, also name other persons whom they intend to appoint as members of the Commission. The Chairman and members of the Commission are approved by a vote in the European Parliament as a single body. The commission makes decisions by a majority of votes, establishes the procedural rules for its work.

The purpose of the European Court of Justice is to ensure the uniform interpretation of EU law and its primacy over national law, in accordance with the provisions of the founding EU treaties. Consists of 15 judges elected from among persons whose independence is not in question and who are capable of serving as a judge. Judges are appointed by common consent of the governments of the Member States for a period of 6 years.

Building an economic and monetary union requires financial center, providing management of the money supply of the common European currency. The European Central Bank (ECB) is called upon to become such a center.

The European Chamber of Auditors is called upon to exercise control over the correctness of the disposal of the budget. Within the framework of the EU, there are also other specialized institutions, in particular the Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions.

Among the main documents that form the so-called "EU law" are the Paris Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) of 1951, the Rome Treaties establishing the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) of 1957. , the Brussels Treaty of 1965 on the merger of the executive bodies of the three Communities, agreements on the accession of new members to the EEC and a number of other documents. The Founding Treaties also provide for five types of legal acts that the Council and the European Commission can adopt: regulations, directives, decrees, recommendations and opinions, although this list is not exhaustive.

important role in the development external relations The EU is played by its representations at the UN and its specialized agencies, as well as in 140 countries. In accordance with the founding documents legal basis cooperation in this case, as a rule, are agreements between the European Commission and the government of a third country, a union of states or an international organization. Relations with the Russian Federation are built at the level of the mutual representation of the EU in the Russian Federation and the permanent representation of the Russian Federation to the EU, with the European Parliament - at the level of inter-parliamentary delegations. The foundations of relations between the Russian Federation and the EU are defined in the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, which established partnership between the Russian Federation, on the one hand, and the European Communities and their member states, on the other. The specified Agreement was signed on June 24, 1994 on about. Corfu. In accordance with its provisions, it is planned to hold meetings at the highest level according to the "1+2" ​​formula: the President of the Russian Federation, the President of the European Council and the President of the CES.

At the ministerial level, political dialogue is carried out within the framework of the Cooperation Council established by the Agreement. Assistance to the Council in the performance of its duties is provided by the Cooperation Committee, consisting of representatives of the Government of the Russian Federation, on the one hand, and representatives of EU Council members and representatives of the CES, on the other.

Inter-parliamentary interaction is planned to be carried out within the framework of the Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, consisting of representatives of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and members of the European Parliament. Some of the key provisions of the Agreement relate to the foundations of economic ties. In trade in goods, it was decided to rely on the norms and rules of the GATT / WTO, applying the most favored nation treatment. The legal framework and priority areas of intersectoral cooperation have been determined, including in such areas as industrial policy, investment, unification of standards, consumer protection, etc. It is envisaged to expand the program to provide gratuitous technical assistance to the EU in the implementation of the economic transformations of the Russian Federation.

The European Union (European Union, EU) is an economic and political union of 28 European states aimed at regional integration.

The European Union was formed on the basis of the EEC (European Economic Community), within 2 years after ... the Soviet Union ceased to exist.

Officially, the existence of the EU was secured by the Maastricht Treaty, signed in 1992 and entered into force on November 1, 1993. This treaty was preceded by the Paris Treaty (July 23, 1952) and the Rome Treaty (January 1, 1958).

The political centers of the EU are the cities of Brussels, Luxembourg and Strasbourg.

A characteristic feature of the EU is the presence of a common market, protected by a standardized system of laws of all countries of association and guaranteeing the free movement of people, goods, capital and services, including the abolition of passport control within the Schengen area, which includes both member states and other European states.

The Union adopts laws (directives, legislative acts and regulations) in the field of justice and home affairs, and also develops a common policy in the field of trade, agriculture, fisheries and regional development.

As a subject of international public law, the Union has the authority to participate in international relations and conclude international treaties. A common foreign and security policy has been formed, providing for a coordinated foreign and defense policy. Permanent diplomatic missions of the EU have been established around the world, there are representations in the United Nations, the WTO, the G7 and the G20. EU delegations are led by EU ambassadors.

The EU is an international entity that combines the features of an international organization (interstate) and a state (supranational), but formally it is neither one nor the other. In certain areas, decisions are made by independent supranational institutions, while in others they are carried out through negotiations between member states.

EU institutions include

• European Council, President Donald Tusk,
• European Commission (government), President Jean-Claude Juncker,
• Council of the European Union (official name - the Council, usually referred to as the Council of Ministers),
• Court of Justice of the European Union,
• European Court of Auditors,
• European Central Bank,
• European Parliament Speaker Martin Schulz.

The European Parliament is elected every five years by EU citizens.

Nineteen countries of the Union introduced a single currency, the euro, to form the eurozone.

Based on free sources and wikipedia

European Union - EU (European Union - EU). The history of the organization begins in 1957, when the European Economic Community (EEC) was created on the basis of the European Coal and Steel Community and Euroatom. The treaty was

signed in Rome and entered into force in 1958. In February 1992, the EEC countries (at that time 12) concluded the Maastricht Treaty, according to which the EEC became known as the European Union (the treaty entered into force on November 1, 1993)

The community was formed by 6 countries: Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg. Later (1973), Great Britain, Denmark, Ireland were accepted into the EEC, 1981 - Greece, 1986 - Spain and Portugal, 1995 - Sweden, Finland, Austria. On April 16, 2003, at the EU summit in Athens, 15 "old" member countries and 10 candidate countries signed an Accession Treaty. May 1, 2004 10 new countries became official members of the EU: Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Czech Republic. On January 1, 2007, Bulgaria and Romania officially joined the EU. Thus, now the EU has 27 countries.

Croatia and Macedonia are the top candidates for EU membership in the future. Ukraine, Turkey and Morocco have filed official statements about their desire to join the EU.

Headquarters - Brussels (Belgium).

The European Union is one of the main economic centers of the modern world economy and exceeds the United States and Japan in terms of total GDP and foreign trade. Its share in the total GDP of the countries participating in the Organization for the Economic Commonwealth and Development (OECD) is more than 38%, and in world trade - 39%.

The EU has a highly developed, unique institutional system, which is formed by interstate and supranational institutions. The functionaries of the bodies of the first type act as official representatives of the member states (for example, the European Council), members of the bodies of the second type are also representatives of the national member states, but act independently of their states, are not connected by any institutions with their governments.

The main governing bodies of the European Union are:

The European Council is a meeting of heads of state and government of the EU countries. Founded in 1974, it meets at least twice a year and takes decisions on key issues of the EU integration strategy. Its decision, although not binding, gives the main political impetus to the development of the EU and determines the main guidelines for the development of the European Union;

The Council of Ministers of the EU is the decision-making body on current economic policy. It meets at the level of sectoral ministers of national governments in accordance with the topics being discussed. Performs legislative functions. Its decisions are binding. Presidency of the Council alternately all EU member states for 6 months;

The European Commission is the main executive body of the EU. Its members are appointed by national governments, but are completely independent of them in their activities (principle over nationality). Each member of the Commission is responsible for a specific area of ​​EU policy, heads the relevant department (Directorate General) and is elected for a term of 4 to 5 years. The Commission plays a major role in ensuring the daily activities of the EU, develops the necessary legislative acts and action programs, and monitors their implementation. It has significant autonomous rights and powers, manages EU finances - the budget and various funds;

The European Parliament is a representative body elected since 1979 by direct universal suffrage of citizens of all participating states every 5 years. Unlike national parliaments, it is not a legislative institution. Its main functions are the approval and appointment of members of the European Commission, control over its activities. The European Parliament has the right to pass a vote of no confidence in the Commission up to its dissolution, approves the budget and a report on its implementation, participates in the development and adoption of new legislative acts, requests and listens to the Council and the Commission. Located in Strasbourg (France);

The European Court of Justice is the highest court that ensures uniform interpretation of EU law over national law within a jurisdiction. Consists of 13 judges elected for 6 years. Handles disputes between EU members and its various organizations, as well as between the EU and individuals and legal entities. Gives opinions on international agreements and preliminary hearings of cases referred to him by national courts. Headquarters - Luxembourg;

Chamber of Auditors (Accounts Chamber) - formed in 1975 to audit all EU revenues and expenditures;

Regional Development Fund - focused on assisting areas that are lagging behind in their development or affected by a structural crisis in industry;

Social Fund - finances the retraining of the labor force, especially in regions and industries with high unemployment, as well as vocational training for young people;

Fund for Guidance and Guarantee in Agriculture - finances the implementation of the common agricultural policy of the EU;

Fund for the Promotion of Economic Rapprochement of the Member States (Cohesion Fund) - created in accordance with the Maastricht Treaty, focused on promoting the development of countries with low GDP per capita in the EU - Greece, Ireland, Spain, Portugal;

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is a lending institution that promotes the implementation of investment projects. It also provides loans to associate members, countries that have cooperation agreements with the European Union.

The formation of the European Economic Community provided for the introduction of a common agrarian and trade policy, the coordination of other important directions economic policies of the participating countries aimed at deepening integration. In December 1991, the session of the European Council in the Dutch city of Maastricht adopted the prepared text of the Treaty on European Union (Maastricht Treaty), which proclaimed the following main objectives of the EU:

1. Common foreign and security policy: protection of common interests (including voting in the UN, OSCE, etc.); maintaining peace and international security, strengthening democracy, ensuring human rights and fundamental freedoms; economic aspects of security; liaison with NATO on defense matters.

2. Cooperation in the field of justice and home affairs: free movement and residence throughout the EU, the right of citizens of member states to elect and be elected to local authorities and to the European Parliament, regardless of their place of residence in the EU, protection of EU citizens outside of it by the embassy or consulate of any member state, the right to submit petitions to the European Parliament, control over the external borders of the EU; visa cooperation, visa and immigration policy, the fight against smuggling, terrorism and drug trafficking, cooperation in the field of civil and criminal law, cooperation of national police services.

3. Cooperation in the economic and social spheres (except for the UK), as well as in other areas: working conditions, life safety and health protection of workers; social protection, the use of immigrant labor, environmental protection; R&D (research and development work); industrial policy; trans-European infrastructures: transport, telecommunications, energy, consumer protection; education, training, health care, culture.

Rapid economic growth and impact on international life have not only turned the EU into one of the main centers modern world, but also determined its attractiveness for other members of the world community.