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About EU/Institutions

The institutional structure of the European Union has been seen as unique in the world.

The member states preserve their sovereignty regarding certain issues in independent institutions which represents interests of the Union as a whole, member states and their citizens. The Commission traditionally underpins the interests of the Union as a whole, while each member states' government has been represented in the Council. The European Parliament is elected directly by the citizens. Therefore democracy and rule of law are cornerstones of this structure.

This institutional triangle is enclosed by these two institutions: The Court of Justice and The Court of Auditors.

Here you can find addresses of all of the most important EU institutions.

logo - european parliamentEuropean Parliament

European parliament is directly elected every five years and represents the contemplation of democratic will of 374 millions of EU population. All the most important political parties of member states jointly with the pan European political groups are represented in EP.

Parliament's principal roles are as follows.

  • To examine and adopt European legislation. Under the co-decision procedure, Parliament shares this power equally with the Council of Ministers.
  • To approve the EU budget.
  • To exercise democratic control over the other EU institutions, possibly by setting up committees of inquiry.
  • To assent to important international agreements such as the accession of new EU Member States and trade or association agreements between the EU and other countries

The EP is located in Strasbourg.

logo - the council of the european unionThe Council of the European Union

The Council of the European Union - formerly known as the Council of Ministers -is the main legislative and decision-making body in the EU. It brings together the representatives of the all the Member State governments. They meet regularly at the level of working groups, ambassadors, ministers or - when they decide the major policy guidelines - at the level of presidents and prime ministers, i.e. as the European Council.

The Councils' principal roles are as follows

  • To adopt European legislation. Under the co-decision procedure, Council of Ministers shares this power equally with the Parliament
  • To coordinate economic guidelines for Member States economic policies. To set the rules for all the activities of the European Community (EC).
  • To conclude international agreement on the behalf of the EU with the one or more countries or international organizations.
  • To bring decisions on the matters of intergovernmental cooperation on common foreign and security policy , based on the General regulation of Council of Europe
  • To coordinate activities of Member States and adopt measures in the field of justice and home affairs.

logo - european commissionThe European Commission

The European Commission hold and underpin general interests of the European Union. It is composed of twenty independent members (two each from France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom and one each from all the other countries), including a President and two Vice-Presidents. It is appointed for a five-year term by the Council, acting by qualified majority in agreement with the Member States. It is subject to a vote of appointment by the European Parliament, to which it is answerable. The Commissioners are assisted by an administration made up of directorates-general and specialized departments whose staff is divided mainly between Brussels and Luxembourg.

The Commissions' principal roles are as follows:

  • It drafts proposals for new European laws, which it presents to the European Parliament and the Council.
  • The Commission makes sure that EU decisions are properly implemented and supervises the way EU funds are spent.
  • It monitors the observance of European treaties and European law.
  • It exercises powers conferred on it by the Council for the implementation of Council rules.
  • The Commission has tasks to represent the Community externally

logo - european court of justiceCourt of Justice

Court of Justice of the European Communities ensures that EU common rules are understood in the same way everywhere. It settles disputes over how the EU treaties and legislation are interpreted. If national courts are in doubt about how to apply EU rules they must ask the Court of Justice. Individual persons can also bring proceedings against EU institutions before the Court. It consists of one independent judge from each EU country and is located in Luxembourg . Since 1989, the Court of the First Instance has been joined.

logo - european court of auditorsEuropean Court of Auditors

The funds available to the EU must be used legally, economically and for the intended purpose. The Court of Auditors, as an independent EU institution, is the body that ensures that money of European taxpayers is spent according by the law. It is located in Luxembourg.

logo - the european central bankThe European Central Bank

The European Central Bank is in charge of the European single currency, the euro. The Bank independently creates framework and implements European monetary policy. The Bank's main objective is to ensure price stability, but the monetary policy also supports other political objectives decided in the EU. The European Central Bank is based in Frankfurt in Germany.

logo - the economic and social committeeThe Economic and Social Committee

The Economic and Social Committee represent all of the most important interest groups in the Commission, the Council and the Parliament. It is an advisory body and has to give its opinion on important aspects of the EU economic and social policy. Additionally on its own initiative the Economic and Social Committee can give its opinion on other important issues.

logo - the committee of retionsThe Committee of the Regions

Through the Committee of the Regions, local and regional authorities are consulted before the EU takes decisions in fields such as education, health, employment or transport. It is composed of representatives of regional and local authorities.

logo - european investment bankEuropean Investment Bank

European Investment Bank is the financial institution of EU. The Bank lends money for investment projects of European interest, in particular projects that provide balanced economic growth of the EU. Loans also support the Union 's enlargement process and its development aid policy.

logo - the european ombudsmanThe European Ombudsman

All individuals or entities living in the EU can submit a complaint to the European Ombudsman about maladministration by any EU institution or body.