The document discusses the main institutions and activities of the European Union. It describes the three main political institutions - the European Parliament, Council, and Commission. It also outlines two financial institutions - the European Central Bank and European Investment Bank. On the legal side, it mentions the Court of Justice. Additionally, it provides overviews of the key policy areas of agriculture, fisheries, regional development, finance, and economics within the EU.
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The European Union 1
All photographs and graphics courtesy of
European Commission Audiovisual Library
http://europa.eu.int/comm/mediatheque/photo/index_en.html
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Political
• EU Parliament – Currently 785 MEPs. Based in
France, Belgium and Luxembourg
– Passes laws, monitors budget, monitors EU institutions
• EU Council – Ministerial representations from each
member state
– Passes laws, approves EU budget, co-ordination
of economic policies, develops foreign policy,
co-ordinates anti-crime strategies
• EU Commission – 20 Commissioners appointed by
each member state every 5 years
– Proposes legislation, implements EU policies,
law enforcement, international co-ordination
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Financial
• European Central Bank – inflation target
of less than 2% per year, sets short term
interest rates for the whole eurozone area,
– Implements and monitors Eurozone monetary policy
• European Investment Bank –
‘owned’ by member states.
Raise finance through financial markets,
– Invest in projects to promote aims of EU –
large scale projects
• Court of Auditors – monitors legality
and efficiency of EU income and expenditure
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Enlargement - New Members
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Agriculture
• CAP – Common Agricultural Policy
– Sustainablility
– Food Quality
– Animal Welfare
– Food Safety
– Control
– Farmers welfare/incomes
– Employment in agriculture
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Fisheries
• CFP – Common
Fisheries Policy
– Conservation
of fish stocks
– Aid to fishing industry
to cope with changing
circumstances
– Monitor supply
and demand for fish
– Negotiate with non-EU
members on fishing
issues
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Regions
• European Regional Development Fund
• European Social Fund
• European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee
Fund
• Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance
– Aims to encourage development of poorer regions
– Increase employment opportunities
– Encourage new industry to locate in areas
of structural decline
– Develop infrastructure in poorer regions
– Encourage new training methods and facilities
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Finance/Economics
• Euro – monitor introduction and development
• Tax Harmonisation – reduce differentials
in tax regimes throughout the single market
to aid competition and transparency
• Single Market – free movement of goods,
services, labour and capital between
member states
