european_union european_union economic union member states located primarily europe area km2 estimated population million developed internal single market system laws apply member states policies aim ensure free movement people goods services capital internal market enact legislation justice home affairs maintain common policies trade agriculture fisheries regional development area passport controls abolished monetary union established came force composed member states use euro currency operates hybrid system decision making seven principal decision making bodies known institutions european_union european council council european_union european parliament european commission court justice european_union european central bank european court traces origins european coal steel community european economic community formed inner countries respectively community successors grown size accession new member states power addition policy areas member state left non binding referendum united_kingdom june supported leaving treaty established european_union introduced european citizenship latest major amendment constitutional basis treaty lisbon came force covering world population generated nominal gross domestic product dollars approximately global nominal measured terms purchasing power additionally countries high human development index according united_nations development program awarded nobel peace prize common foreign security policy developed role external relations defence union maintains permanent diplomatic missions world represents united_nations world trade organization global influence european_union described current potential history preliminary world war european integration seen extreme nationalism devastated continent congress pivotal moment european federal history led creation european movement international college europe europe future leaders live study saw creation european coal steel community declared step federation europe supporters community included jean robert paul treaty rome belgium france italy netherlands west_germany signed treaty rome created european economic community established customs union signed pact creating european atomic energy community operation developing nuclear energy treaties came force created separately shared courts common assembly headed walter commission headed louis commission integrate sectors nuclear energy develop customs union members 1960s tensions began france seeking limit power agreement reached july merger treaty created single set institutions communities collectively referred european communities jean presided merged commission commission communities enlarged include denmark including greenland later left community following dispute fishing rights ireland united_kingdom norway negotiated join time norwegian voters rejected membership referendum direct elections european parliament held greece joined portugal spain following agreement paved way creation open borders passport controls member states non member states european flag began community single european act signed fall eastern east germany community germany planned include communist states cyprus malta copenhagen criteria candidate members join agreed june treaty present european_union formally established treaty main architects came force november treaty gave european community referred treaty austria finland sweden joined euro coins replaced national member states increased encompass countries saw biggest date cyprus czech_republic estonia hungary lithuania malta poland slovakia joined union romania bulgaria members year adopted euro followed cyprus malta slovakia estonia lithuania december lisbon treaty entered force reformed aspects particular changed legal structure european_union merging pillars system single legal entity legal personality created permanent president european council van strengthened position high representative union foreign affairs security policy received nobel peace prize having contributed advancement peace reconciliation democracy human rights europe croatia 28th member beginning 2010s european_union going series tests including debt crisis countries increasing migration middle eastern countries russian military intervention ukraine united_kingdom withdrawal structural evolution following timeline illustrates integration led formation present union terms structural development driven international treaties british withdrawal referendum membership european_union announced british prime minister david cameron february held june following years campaigning result gave majority leave remain turnout registered voters july initiated formal withdrawal procedure leave years european council decision withdraw coming force withdrawal agreement geography member states cover area square kilometres highest peak alps metres sea level lowest points denmark netherlands sea level landscape climate economy influenced coastline kilometres long including overseas territories france located outside continent europe members union experiences types climate arctic north east europe tropical french rendering meteorological averages meaningless majority population lives areas temperate maritime climate north western_europe central europe mediterranean climate southern europe warm summer continental climate northern balkans central europe population highly inhabitants growing projected seven member states living urban areas cities largely spread large grouping increasing percentage low density urban extending natural areas cases urban growth influx funds region member states successive european_union grown founding states belgium france west_germany italy netherlands current countries union party founding treaties privileges obligations membership partial delegation sovereignty institutions return representation institutions practice referred sovereignty member country meet copenhagen criteria defined meeting european council copenhagen require stable democracy respects human rights rule law functioning market economy acceptance obligations membership including law evaluation country criteria responsibility european council member state left union greenland autonomous province denmark withdrew lisbon treaty contains clause article providing member leave june united_kingdom voted referendum leave remains member officially exits begun formal withdrawal procedures countries recognized candidates membership albania iceland macedonia montenegro serbia turkey iceland suspended negotiations bosnia officially recognised potential candidates bosnia having submitted membership application countries forming european free trade association members partly committed economy regulations iceland norway single market european economic area switzerland similar ties treaties relationships european san vatican include use euro areas operation following sovereign states map shows territories situated europe constitute european_union environment founded environmental policy past years increasingly dense network legislation created extending areas environmental protection including air pollution water quality waste management nature conservation control chemicals industrial hazards according institute european environmental policy environmental law comprises regulations decisions making environmental policy core area european politics european policy makers originally increased capacity act environmental issues defining trade problem trade barriers competitive common market emerge different environmental standards member state subsequent years environment formal policy area policy actors principles procedures legal basis environmental policy established introduction single european act initially environmental policy focused europe recently demonstrated leadership global environmental governance role securing ratification coming force protocol despite opposition united_states international dimension reflected sixth environmental action programme recognises objectives achieved key international agreements actively supported properly implemented level worldwide lisbon treaty strengthened leadership ambitions law played significant role improving habitat species protection europe contributing improvements air water quality waste management climate change priorities environmental policy member states agreed future energy carbon dioxide emissions lower compared levels adopted emissions trading system incorporate carbon emissions economy european green capital annual award given cities focuses environment energy efficiency quality life urban areas create smart city politics european_union operates according principles says act limits conferred treaties says act objective sufficiently achieved member states acting laws institutions passed variety forms generally speaking classified groups come force necessity national implementation measures regulations specifically require national implementation measures constitutional nature classification terms international constitutional law debated began life international organisation gradually developed confederation states mid-1960s added key attributes federation direct effect law general level government individual majority voting decision making process general level government federation scholars today intermediate form lying confederation federation instance political structure reason organisation termed kind argue designation longer valid organisation traditionally terms community later union describe difficulties classification involve difference national law subjects law include natural persons corporations international law subjects include sovereign states international organizations seen light differing european american constitutional traditions especially terms european tradition term federation sovereign federal state international law called federation qualification described based federal model federal nature appropriate consider federal union states conceptual structure lying confederation states federal state german constitutional court refers intermediate structure confederation states federal state consistent concept long lived political form professor andrew claims unlikely develop federal state instead reached maturity constitutional system governance european_union seven institutions european council council european_union european parliament european commission court justice european_union european central bank european court legislation shared council european_union european parliament executive tasks performed european commission limited capacity european council confused aforementioned council european_union monetary policy determined european central bank interpretation application law treaties ensured court justice european_union budget european court number bodies advise operate specific area european council european council gives political direction times year comprises president european council currently president european commission representative member state head state head government high representative union foreign affairs security policy currently takes meetings described union supreme political authority actively involved negotiation treaty changes defines policy agenda strategies european council uses leadership role sort disputes member states institutions resolve political crises disagreements controversial issues policies acts externally collective head state important documents example international agreements treaties tasks president european council ensuring external representation driving consensus resolving member states meetings european council periods european council mistaken council europe international organisation independent based council european_union council european_union called council council ministers title forms half legislature consists government minister member state meets different compositions depending policy area addressed notwithstanding different configurations considered single body addition legislative functions council exercises executive functions relations common foreign security policy european parliament european parliament forms half legislature members european parliament directly elected citizens years basis proportional representation elected national basis sit according political groups country set number seats divided sub national affect proportional nature voting system european parliament council european_union pass legislation jointly nearly areas ordinary legislative procedure applies budget european commission parliament requiring approval office having report subject motions president european parliament currently martin carries role speaker parliament represents externally president vice presidents elected half years european commission european commission acts executive arm responsible initiating legislation day day running commission seen motor european integration operates cabinet government commissioners different areas policy member state commissioners bound represent interests home state president european commission currently jean appointed european council president prominent commissioner high representative union foreign affairs security policy vice president commission chosen european council commissioners subsequently appointed council european_union agreement nominated president commissioners single body subject vote approval european parliament budget agreed budget billion year billion period representing forecast respective periods comparison united_kingdom expenditure estimated billion france estimated spent billion budget european economic community budget billion largest single expenditure item total budget comes agriculture approximately total rural development environment fisheries takes administration accounts global partner citizenship freedom security justice bring rear approximately respectively court legally obliged provide parliament council statement assurance reliability accounts legality underlying transactions court gives opinions proposals financial legislation anti fraud actions parliament uses decide approve commission handling budget european court signed european_union accounts year making clear european commission work highlighted errors place national level report found areas union expenditure agriculture fund affected error european commission estimated financial impact irregularities million member states retain powers explicitly handed european_union areas enjoys exclusive areas member states renounced capacity enact legislation areas member states share member states extent policy areas support supplement member state action enact legislation aim national laws particular policy area falls certain category necessarily indicative legislative procedure legislation policy area different legislative procedures category policy area distribution policy areas member states union divided following categories legal system based series treaties established european community amendments founding treaties power giving treaties set broad policy goals establish institutions necessary legal powers implement goals legal powers include ability enact legislation directly affect member states inhabitants legal personality right sign agreements international treaties principle supremacy national courts required enforce treaties member states ratified laws enacted requires ignore conflicting national law limits constitutional provisions courts justice judicial branch formally called court justice european_union consists courts court justice general court european_union civil service tribunal interpret apply treaties law court justice primarily deals cases taken member states institutions cases referred courts member states general court mainly deals cases taken individuals companies directly courts european_union civil service tribunal disputes european_union civil service decisions general court appealed court justice point law fundamental rights treaties declare founded values respect human dignity freedom democracy equality rule law respect human rights including rights persons belonging minorities society non discrimination tolerance justice solidarity equality women men prevail lisbon treaty gave legal effect charter fundamental rights european_union charter codified catalogue fundamental rights legal acts judged rights previously recognised court justice derived constitutional traditions common member states court justice long recognised fundamental rights occasion legislation based failure adhere fundamental rights signing european convention human rights condition membership previously convention state lisbon treaty protocol changed convention formally permits independent council europe share purpose ideas especially rule law human rights democracy european convention human rights european social charter source law charter fundamental rights created council europe promoted human rights issues wider world opposes death penalty proposed worldwide abolition abolition death penalty condition membership acts main legal acts come forms regulations decisions regulations law member states moment come force requirement implementing measures automatically conflicting domestic provisions require member states achieve certain result leaving discretion achieve result details implemented left member states time limit implementing passes certain conditions direct effect national law member states decisions offer alternative modes legislation legal acts apply specified individuals companies particular member state competition law state aid frequently procedural administrative matters institutions regulations decisions equal legal value apply formal hierarchy area freedom security justice creation developed area freedom security justice initially level later end agencies established associated actions operation police forces operation prosecutors operation border control authorities operates information system provides common database police immigration authorities operation particularly developed advent open borders agreement associated cross border crime furthermore union areas family law asylum law criminal justice sexual discrimination long standing treaties recent years supplemented powers discrimination based race religion disability age sexual orientation virtue powers enacted legislation sexual discrimination work place age discrimination racial discrimination foreign relations foreign policy operation member states dates establishment community member states negotiated international trade negotiations common commercial policy steps wide ranging foreign relations began establishment european political cooperation created informal consultation process member states aim forming common foreign policies european political cooperation introduced formal basis single european act renamed common foreign security policy treaty aims promote interests international community including international operation respect human rights democracy rule law requires member states appropriate policy follow particular issue difficult issues treated lead disagreements occurred war iraq coordinator representative high representative union foreign affairs security policy speaks behalf foreign policy defence matters task positions expressed member states fields policy common alignment high representative heads european external action service unique department officially implemented operational december occasion anniversary entry force treaty lisbon serve foreign ministry diplomatic corps european_union emerging international policy european_union international influence felt perceived benefits member act incentive political economic reform states wishing accession criteria considered important factor contributing reform european communist countries influence internal affairs countries generally referred soft power opposed military hard power military predecessors european_union devised military alliance nato largely seen appropriate sufficient defence purposes members members nato remaining member states follow policies neutrality western european_union military alliance mutual defence clause disbanded role transferred according stockholm international peace research institute united_kingdom spent billion defence placing fifth world france spent billion sixth largest france account approximately cent defence budget cent military capacity officially recognised nuclear weapon states holding permanent seats united_nations security council following war european council agreed union capacity autonomous action backed credible military forces means decide use readiness order respond international crises prejudice actions nato end number efforts increase military capability notably headline goal process discussion concrete result initiative planned able deploy quickly personnel forces deployed missions middle northern africa western balkans western asia military operations supported number bodies including european defence agency european_union satellite centre european_union military staff agency established manage cooperation national border guards securing external borders aims detect stop illegal immigration human trafficking terrorist december european commission presented proposal new european border coast guard agency having stronger role mandate national authorities border management consisting members substantial security defence operation increasingly relying collaboration member states humanitarian aid european commission humanitarian aid civil protection department echo provides humanitarian aid developing countries budget amounted million budget went africa asia latin_america caribbean pacific middle_east mediterranean humanitarian aid financed directly budget financial instruments external action european development fund external action financing divided geographic instruments thematic instruments geographic instruments provide aid development cooperation instrument billion spend budget overseas development assistance european neighbourhood partnership instrument contains relevant programmes european development fund voluntary contributions member states pressure merge budget financed instruments encourage increased contributions match target allow european parliament greater oversight countries reached target sweden netherlands denmark united_kingdom aid making world generous aid donor previous commissioner aid louis called aid delivered rapidly greater effect humanitarian principles economy european_union established single market territory members representing million citizens combined international dollars share global gross domestic product purchasing power political entity european_union represented world trade organization member states estimated largest net wealth world equal global wealth member states joined monetary union known uses euro single currency currency union represents million citizens euro second largest reserve currency second traded currency world united_states dollar largest corporations world measured revenue headquarters unemployment stood inflation current account balance significant capita individual states difference richest regions regions nomenclature territorial units statistics ranged average structural funds funds supporting development regions regions primarily located states central southern europe funds provide emergency aid support candidate members transform country conform standard support commonwealth independent states worldwide programme research technological framework programmes sponsor research conducted members work single european research area internal market original core objectives european economic community development common market subsequently single market customs union member states single market involves free circulation goods capital people services customs union involves application common external goods entering market goods admitted market subjected customs duties taxes import travel internally non member states iceland norway switzerland participate single market customs union half trade covered legislation free movement capital intended permit movement investments property purchases buying shares countries drive economic monetary union development capital provisions slow post rapidly developing corpus initially neglected freedom free movement capital unique granted equally non member states free movement persons means citizens freely member states live work study retire country required lowering administrative recognition professional qualifications states free movement services establishment allows self employed persons member states provide services temporary permanent basis services account legislation area developed areas addressed recently passed directive services internal market aims cross border provision services according treaty provision services freedom applies freedom exercised monetary union creation european single currency official objective european economic community having negotiated structure procedures currency union member states signed treaty legally bound agreed rules including convergence criteria wanted join monetary union states wanting participate join european exchange rate mechanism currency union started accounting currency member states joining currency fully place euro notes coins issued national began phase consisted member states constituted member states adopted euro grown countries launch euro second reserve currency world quarter foreign exchanges reserves euro euro monetary policies adopted agreement control european central bank central bank controls monetary policy area agenda maintain price stability centre european system central banks national central banks controlled general council consisting president appointed european council vice president governors national central banks member states european system financial supervision institutional architecture framework financial supervision composed authorities european banking authority european insurance authority european markets authority complement framework european risk board responsibility aim financial control system ensure economic stability prevent joining states getting financial trouble crisis entering monetary union obliged treaty important financial obligations procedures especially budgetary discipline high degree sustainable economic convergence avoid excessive government limit government debt sustainable level energy gross inland energy consumption million tonnes oil equivalent toe energy consumed produced member states imported statistics nuclear energy treated primary energy produced regardless source produced legislative power area energy policy existence roots original european coal steel community introduction mandatory comprehensive european energy policy approved meeting european council october draft policy published january key points energy policy increase competition internal market encourage investment boost electricity energy resources better systems respond crisis establish new treaty framework energy operation russia improving relations energy rich states central asia north_africa use existing energy supplies efficiently increasing energy finally increase funding new energy technologies imports oil natural gas demands europe dependence russian energy attempting energy supply infrastructure working improve cross border infrastructure example trans european networks projects include channel tunnel est rail tunnel bridge base tunnel bridge estimated network covers kilometres roads kilometres railways airports maritime internal rail transport europe european rail traffic management system initiative greatly enhance safety increase efficiency trains enhance cross border rail transport europe replacing signalling equipment wireless versions creating single europe wide standard train control command systems developing european transport policies increase pressure environment regions increased transport network members major problem transport deals congestion pollution recent new states joined added problem solving accessibility transport agenda polish road network upgraded positioning system infrastructure project proposed satellite navigation system built launched european space agency project launched partly reduce operated global positioning system complete global coverage allow greater accuracy given aged nature gps system agriculture common agricultural policy cap long lasting policies european community policy objectives increasing agricultural production providing certainty food supplies ensuring high quality life farmers markets ensuring reasonable prices consumers recently operated system subsidies market intervention 1990s policy accounted european community annual budget accounts policy price controls market led considerable intervention stores products bought community maintain minimum price levels dispose surplus stores sold world market prices considerably community guaranteed prices farmers offered subsidies amounting difference community world prices export products outside community system criticised cutting farmers outside europe especially developing world supporters cap argue economic support gives farmers provides reasonable standard living beginning 1990s cap subject series reforms initially reforms included introduction set aside proportion farm land deliberately withdrawn production milk recently money farmers receive produce reforms agriculture expenditure away payments linked specific produce direct payments based farm size intended allow market production levels reforms entailed abolition sugar regime previously divided sugar market member states certain african caribbean nations privileged relationship competition operates competition policy intended ensure competition single market commission competition single market responsible issues approving breaking working economic preventing state aid competition commissioner currently powerful positions commission notable ability affect commercial interests trans national corporations example commission time prevented merger companies based united_states approved national authority high profile case microsoft resulted commission microsoft million following years legal action demographics january population european_union million people live registered deaths net migration million people lived born outside resident country corresponds total population million born outside million born member state largest absolute numbers people born outside germany million france million united_kingdom million spain million italy million netherlands million contains cities populations million large cities includes densely populated regions single core emerged connection cities encompass large metropolitan areas largest rhine having approximately million inhabitants cologne million amsterdam frankfurt rhine main million frankfurt flemish diamond million urban area antwerp brussels upper million million copenhagen languages languages official working languages bulgarian croatian czech danish dutch english finnish french german greek hungarian italian irish lithuanian polish portuguese romanian spanish swedish important documents legislation translated official language european parliament provides translation languages documents sessions institutions use handful languages internal working languages scottish welsh official languages semi official status official translations treaties citizens right correspond institutions language policy responsibility member states institutions promote learning languages english widely spoken language spoken population counting native non native speakers german widely spoken mother tongue spoken population citizens able engage conversation language mother tongue official languages belong european language family finnish hungarian belong language family semitic language official languages written latin alphabet bulgarian written alphabet greek written greek alphabet official scripts european_union official languages regional minority languages spoken million people programmes support regional minority languages protection linguistic rights matter individual member states european charter regional minority languages ratified states provides general guidelines states follow protect linguistic heritage european day languages held annually september aimed encouraging language learning europe religion secular body formal connection religion article treaty functioning european_union recognises status national law churches religious associations philosophical non organisations treaty european_union mentions cultural religious inheritance europe discussion draft texts european constitution later treaty lisbon included proposals mention christianity god text idea faced opposition dropped christians divided members catholicism roman eastern rite numerous protestant denominations eastern orthodox church estimated muslim population million estimated jewish population million world religions buddhism represented population according new polls european_union christianity largest religion european_union accounting population catholics largest christian group accounting population eastern orthodox christians opinion polls showed citizens believed god sort spirit life force form belief countries experienced falling church attendance membership recent years countries fewest people reported religious belief estonia czech_republic religious countries malta predominantly roman catholic cyprus romania predominantly orthodox citizens belief god belief higher women older people religious upbringing left school positioning right political scale education science basic education area role limited supporting national governments higher education policy developed 1980s programmes supporting exchanges mobility visible programme university exchange programme began years supported international exchange opportunities million university college students symbol european student life similar programmes school pupils teachers education training adult lifelong learning programme programmes designed encourage wider knowledge countries spread good practices education training fields support process supporting comparable standards compatible degrees europe scientific development facilitated framework programmes started aims policy area stimulate research independent european research council funds european national research projects research technological framework programmes deal number areas example energy aim develop diverse mix energy help environment reduce dependence imported health care major field health care article charter fundamental rights european_union high level human health protection shall ensured definition implementation union policies activities european commission general health consumers seeks align national laws protection people health consumers rights safety food products health care provided wide range different systems run national level systems primarily publicly funded taxation universal health care private funding health care represent personal contributions meeting non portion health care reflect totally private non health care paid pocket met form personal employer funded insurance european countries offer citizens free european health insurance card basis provides insurance emergency medical treatment insurance visiting participating european countries directive cross border healthcare aims promoting operation health care member states access safe high quality cross border healthcare european patients culture cultural operation member states concern inclusion community treaty actions taken cultural area include culture year programme european cultural month event media programme european_union youth orchestra european capital culture programme cities year assist cultural development city cities initiative sport sport mainly responsibility member states international organisations policies impact sport free movement workers core ruling prohibited national football leagues imposing foreign players european citizenship treaty lisbon requires application economic rules account specific nature sport structures based voluntary activity followed lobbying governing organisations international olympic committee objections application free market principles sport led increasing gap rich poor clubs fund programme israeli irish british football coaches football peace project association football popular sport countries club teams highest paid world team sports like rugby ice hockey basketball cricket water polo popular member states symbols flag union consists circle golden stars blue background blue represents west number position stars represent unity respectively originally designed council europe flag adopted european communities predecessors present union united diversity adopted motto union year having selected proposals submitted school pupils flag day union europe day date declaration anthem union instrumental version prelude ode joy 4th movement van ninth symphony anthem adopted european community leaders played official occasions naming continent greek mythological figure frequently employed europe known myth guise white bull referred relation present union statues bull union institutions portrait seen series euro bull depicted residence permit cards charles great known latin later recognized father europe symbolic relevance europe commission named central buildings brussels city awarded prize champions european unification organisers prize conjunction european parliament awarded youth prize recognition similar efforts young people media media freedom fundamental right applies member states european_union citizens defined charter fundamental rights european convention human rights process media freedom named key indicator country readiness


institutions european_union institutions european_union seven principal decision making bodies european_union listed article treaty european_union european parliament european council council european_union european commission court justice european_union european central bank court institutions different agencies european_union history institutions created establishment european community change context shifting power balance away council parliament role commission tip balance commission parliament forced resignation commission forced proposed commission development institutions changes treaties agreements testament evolution union structures clear master plan tom washington_post said institutions deliberately designed government complex redundant treaty paris institutions created start 1950s creation based declaration states designed bring markets coal steel materials needed wage war control authority aim encouraging peace economic development established institutions core independent executive called high authority powers community laws authority observed court justice order ensure upheld negotiations institutions forward power high authority common assembly proposed jean act monitor add democratic legitimacy composed national second council ministers pushed smaller states add element national authority establishment changes treaties rome established similar communities creating common market european economic community promoting atomic energy operation institutions shared court justice parliament separate council high authority called commission communities reason different relationship commission council time french government suspicious wanted limit powers high authority new communities giving council greater role checking executive communities later merged merger treaty european communities institutions carried european economic community making commission community direct ancestor current commission treaties rome common assembly renamed parliamentary assembly european parliament supposed elected delayed council gained powers successive treaties treaty gave powers council giving key role new pillars based principles lisbon treaty brought nearly policy areas including budget procedure renamed ordinary legislative procedure increasing power parliament rules distribution seats parliament changed formula system high representative merged european commissioner external relations joined commission appointment commission president dependent elections council ministers adopted qualified majority voting european council distinct institution permanent president court justice minor renaming adjustments addition central bank institution overview list political institutions hold executive legislative power union council european_union represents governments parliament represents citizens commission represents european interest essentially council european_union parliament party place request legislation commission commission drafts presents parliament council european_union cases exact nature depends legislative procedure use approved signed bodies law commission duty ensure implemented dealing day day running union taking court fail comply according edition official european_union women account higher ranking officials european parliament european parliament shares legislative budgetary authority union council european_union confused european council members elected years universal suffrage sit according political allegiance represent nearly million citizens world second largest democratic electorate form directly elected body union despite forming legislative chambers union weaker powers council sensitive areas legislative initiative powers commission council said democratic nature growing powers powerful world parliament president speaker martin elected parliament members european council european council group heads state government member states meets times year define union policy agenda impetus integration president european council person responsible driving forward work institution described highest political body european_union current president council council european_union informally known council ministers council body holding legislative limited executive powers main decision making body union presidency states months cooperate common programme body separate european council similar body composed national leaders council composed national ministers state council meets forms depending topic example agriculture discussed council composed national minister agriculture represent governments national political systems votes taken majority votes allocated according population forms share legislative budgetary power parliament lead common foreign security policy presidency held july 1st commission european commission executive arm union body composed state currently designed independent national interests body responsible drafting law european_union near monopoly proposing new laws bills deals day day running union duty law treaties role known guardian treaties commission led president nominated council practice european council approved parliament remaining commissioners nominated member states consultation president assigned president council adopts list nominee commissioners council adoption commission area requires decision unanimous acceptance arrived according rules qualified majority voting european parliament interviews casts vote commissioners interviews individual nominees conducted separately contrast parliament vote approval cast commission ability accept reject individual commissioners approval obtained parliament commissioners office current president jean commission elected court justice european_union court justice european_union judicial branch responsible interpreting law treaties comprises main chamber court justice general court civil service tribunal located european central bank european central bank central bank states adopted euro controls monetary policy area agenda maintain price stability centre european system central banks comprises national banks bank governed board national bank governors president located frankfurt current president mario court european court despite judicial powers ensures funds budget european_union correctly spent court provides report financial year council parliament parliament uses decide approve commission handling budget court gives opinions proposals financial legislation anti fraud actions court set created independent institution sensitivity issue fraud union anti fraud agency built independence composed member state appointed council years years elected president court currently acts procedures number types legislation passed strongest regulation act law directly applicable entirety members certain goals achieve laws room manoeuvre deciding decision instrument focused particular person group directly applicable institutions issue recommendations opinions merely non binding ordinary legislative procedure nearly policy areas provides equal bodies procedure commission presents proposal parliament council send amendments council adopt text amendments send common position proposal approved amendments parliament council approve committee formed committee composed council members plus equal number seek agree common position position agreed approved parliament absolute majority special procedures sensitive areas reduce power parliament comparisons system governance largely unique elements compared models general observation nature distribution powers resembles germany powers predominantly shared states exercise federal powers federation exercised levels government states participate strongly decision making federal level contrast example united_states powers clearly divided levels government states little federal decision making institutional set somewhat similar government switzerland europe member state swiss consensus driven system seen successfully uniting state divided language religion directly modelled swiss system despite bearing number similarities european commission similarities swiss federal council party representation appointed basis popularity president federal council members year fashion similar council presidency system presidency swiss leaders like relatively unknown national politics viewed somewhat resulting low voter turnout similar fashion european parliament parallels include guarded powers states considerable level translation choice lesser city capital furthermore executive power isn concentrated single institution lisbon treaty division european council distinct institution fixed president arrangement compared dual executive system found french republic president council president prime minister commission president unlike french model council president hold formal powers ability directly appoint sack ability dissolve parliament council president prestige lack power commission president power lack prestige nature european parliament better compared united_states house_of_representatives national european_union notable terms committees greater size power political parties separated executive branch national governments operate parliamentary system difference absence parliamentary legislative initiative given national initiatives backed executive rarely succeed value difference question equally independence power means european parliament unusually high success rate amendments comparison national average controversial proposals composition council compared unique unusual composition german upper house membership limited members governments states germany recalled governments manner council retain state role sitting term ends recalled state governments solely responsible appointment cease sit state government elected time body dissolved like government representatives members vote individual members state blocks political alignment state governments agreed line state unequal voting powers based population absolute majority required decisions likewise presidency equally members year months like council unlike council vary composition depending topic discussed bear similar criticisms interference executives legislative process locations institutions concentrated single capital city instead headquarters spread cities brussels frankfurt current arrangement approved attached treaty amsterdam treaty states commission council based brussels courts parliament departments commission meetings council place parliament committees sessions brussels new institutions central bank based frankfurt european council based brussels extraordinary meetings brussels hosting institutions major centre nato attracted journalists ambassadors washington city agreement criticised notably concerning parliament large number people cities european green party estimated arrangement costs million euro tonnes carbon dioxide brussels preferred presence institutions groups supported historical importance european unity


international development association international development association international financial institution offers loans grants world developing countries member world bank group headquartered washington united_states established complement existing international bank reconstruction development lending developing countries suffer lowest gross national income troubled lowest capita income international development association international bank reconstruction development collectively generally known world bank follow executive leadership operate staff association shares world bank mission reducing poverty aims provide affordable development financing countries credit risk afford borrow commercially bank programs stated aim assist nations growing quickly reduce poverty single largest provider funds economic human development projects world nations financed projects recruited trained million teachers million children funded million loans small medium enterprises built restored kilometers paved roads built restored bridges expanded access improved water million people improved facilities million people issued total billion usd loans grants launch thirty association borrowing countries graduated eligibility lending countries graduated history 1940s 1950s developing countries began realizing longer afford borrow capital needed favorable lending terms offered international bank reconstruction development onset inaugural term president united_states harry assembled advisory group suggest ways accomplish point program significant component effort strengthen developing countries especially nearest eastern dissuade communist states advisory group recommended international mechanism function providing strictly loaned strictly granted funds united_states government published reports expressing support creation lending program developing countries united_states largely ultimately distracted involvement korean war development needed greater financial developing countries grew increasingly frustrated able afford lending perceived marshall plan comparatively generous gift european nations late 1940s early 1950s developing countries began calling united_nations create development agency offer technical support financing particular desire agency adhere bodies convention country having vote opposed weighted vote united_states ultimately opposed proposals nature united_states grew concerned growth cold war concession behest department state backing conception international finance corporation despite launch developing countries persisted demanding creation new financing mechanism idea gained traction president eugene black began circulating notion international development association opposed idea named special united_nations fund economic development governed united_nations paul marshall plan administrator proposed idea soft loan facility world bank voice allocation loans democratic senator mike oklahoma supported idea chairman senate international finance proposed resolution recommending study potential establishment international development association affiliated proposal preferred received united_states resolution passed senate treasury secretary robert anderson encouraged countries conduct similar studies world bank board governors approved resolution calling drafting articles agreement later special fund merged expanded programme technical assistance form united_nations development programme end january countries signed articles agreement established international development association association launched september year initial budget million billion dollars months following launch grew member states loaned million million dollars developing countries governance operations governed world bank board governors meets annually consists governor member country country finance minister treasury secretary board governors delegates authority daily matters lending operations board directors board directors consists executive directors chaired president world bank group executive directors collectively represent member states world bank decisions matters concern member states president oversees overall direction daily operations july jim kim serves president world bank group association operate staff approximately employees evaluated bank independent evaluation group group identified weaknesses set controls protect fraud corruption projects supported lending group recommended bank provide recognition incentives staff management implementing activities implement paris declaration aid effectiveness principles alignment promote greater use sector wide approaches coordination explain reasons country financial management system client country address shortcomings recommended bank collaborate development partners strengthen country level leadership development assistance coordination offering greater financial technical support development william easterly conducted research ranked featuring transparency best practices donors development aid researchers center global development expect collection eligible borrowing countries decrease half year marking anniversary association establishment remaining consist primarily african countries face substantial population declines changes imply need association carefully examine financial models business operations determine appropriate strategy going forward center recommended world bank leadership begin discussing long term future membership member countries pay contributions years capital borrowing countries nearly half africa membership available countries members world bank particularly lifetime borrowing countries graduated association number countries sustaining graduate status eligible support countries assessed poverty lack commercial borrowing association countries based capita income lack access private capital markets policy performance implementing pro growth anti poverty economic social reforms borrow lending programs country gross national income capita exceed dollars countries graduated lending following countries graduated eligibility lending countries lending following countries eligibility lending graduated instead partially eligible referred blend country honduras nicaragua nigeria new_guinea partially eligible rounds unique world bank requires continuous resources member countries funds contributions addition funds provided international bank reconstruction development international finance corporation funds raising capital international financial markets heavily depends contributions member states received billion special drawing rights billion usd approximately half resources come member countries early years received united_kingdom united_states reliable sources funding developed nations began step fill economic gaps met countries years member nations provide funds gather resources funds come primarily developed countries including united_states japan france germany united_kingdom france rounds member countries participated 16th billion usd loans grants usually paid outset needed project donor countries united_states commit letters credit bear interest able transferred revoked exchanged cash needed project countries pay contributions date commitment cover operating expenses donors receive return funds loaned future projects donors won need commit funds future funds regularly happen financial political challenges countries donor countries negotiate intense discussion association goals objectives reforming delays united_states congress approval funding association members implemented set policy outlining commitment threshold necessary effect threshold imposed requirement aggregate share voting stock necessary executing threshold implemented aim united_states participate rounds countries intended hold united_states commitments threshold ultimately provided united_states facto veto power capital increase negotiations ability bring negotiations threatening support influence long term foreign policy objectives short term political economic goals imposing negotiations lending countries aim finance projects develop infrastructure improve education healthcare access clean water facilities environmental responsibility considered soft lending window world bank considered hard lending window association offers grants loans ranging years grace periods years interest rates depending blend country degree eligible regular eligible advantage interest loans financial resources allocated eligible countries based success implementing pro growth poverty reducing domestic policies uses world bank country policy institutional assessment development indicator determine country place resource allocation index lending countries indicated promising terms favorable policies aid effectiveness adopted crisis response window enable rapid provision emergency financing response crises association adopted immediate response mechanism provide immediate access withdraw portions loans crisis arise meets mechanism criteria africa african countries face severe poverty countries member states association approximately half resources financing projects countries result efforts improve region helped bring electricity additional million helped build restore kilometers paved roads helped additional million african children school approved provide million usd worth credit women entrepreneur development project effort help women participate business skilled employees leaders positive outcomes efforts africa historically slow large allocation funding african countries led positive outcomes particularly agriculture infrastructure development efforts asia efforts asia particularly successful numerous asian countries graduated lending program including philippines china south_korea thailand association borrowing countries approximately asia association efforts south asia focused primarily projects education healthcare transportation agriculture energy rapid growth asian countries populations pockets poverty emerged effect adopted economic plan action established organizations improve education healthcare focus reducing poverty asian nations ways compatible local culture


council european_union council european_union referred council ministers called council latin seven institutions european_union listed treaty european_union essentially legislature legislative body european parliament represents executive governments member states based building brussels belgium composition council meets different configurations national ministers state precise membership configurations varies according topic consideration example discussing agricultural policy council formed national ministers portfolio includes policy area related european commissioners contributing voting presidency council months governments member states relevant ministers respective country holding presidency given time ensuring smooth running meetings setting daily agenda continuity provided arrangement successive known presidency share common political programmes foreign affairs council national foreign ministers chaired union high representative decisions qualified majority voting areas usually operates unanimously needs consult parliament areas ordinary legislative procedure applies meaning council parliament share legislative budgetary powers equally meaning agree proposal pass limited areas council initiate new law general council european_union known council assists council european_union presidency council european_union european council president european council headed secretary general council european_union divided seven general administered director general history council appeared european coal steel community special council ministers set high authority executive commission original council limited powers issues relating coal steel authority domain council consent required decisions outside coal steel council high authority executive treaties rome established new communities new councils council european atomic energy community council european economic community objections power authority councils powers new executive bodies known commissions council hit chair crisis disagreements french president charles commission agriculture proposals things france meetings council halted council work resolved following year compromise initiated president commission walter later lost presidency crisis exposed flaws council workings merger treaty special council ministers council independent institutions merged council act single council european communities council adopted council european_union following establishment european_union treaty treaty strengthened council addition elements pillars system time parliament commission strengthened inside community pillar ability council act independently treaty lisbon abolished pillar system gave powers parliament merged council high representative commission foreign policy head new figure foreign affairs council rotating presidency european council declared separate institution council chaired permanent president different council configurations mentioned treaties time development council characterised rise power parliament council share legislative powers parliament provided opposition council wishes cases led clashes bodies council system developing parliamentary system principles powers functions primary purpose council act chambers legislative branch chamber european parliament holds jointly parliament budgetary power union greater control parliament areas foreign policy finally entry force treaty lisbon formally held executive power conferred european commission legislative procedure legislative authority divided council parliament relationships powers institutions developed legislative procedures created adopting laws early times maxim commission proposes council vast majority laws subject ordinary legislative procedure works principle consent council parliament required law adopted procedure commission presents proposal parliament council following reading parliament propose amendments council accepts amendments legislation approved adopts common position new version parliament second reading parliament text act text adopted parliament propose amendments council proposal rejected right absolute majority council approve parliament position text taken committee composed council members plus equal number committee manages adopt joint text approved reading council parliament proposal abandoned areas operate special legislative procedures justice home affairs budget taxation certain aspects policy areas fiscal aspects environmental policy areas council parliament decide law procedure depends type institutional act strongest act regulation act law directly applicable entirety members certain goals achieve laws room manoeuvre deciding decision instrument focused particular person group directly applicable institutions issue recommendations opinions merely non binding council votes ways simple majority qualified majority cases council votes issues qualified majority voting meaning minimum votes majority member states majority majority representing population taken account nearly foreign policy concerned number cases police judicial operation foreign affairs legal instruments council common foreign security policy different legislative acts consist common positions joint actions common strategies common positions relate defining european foreign policy particular country promotion human rights democracy burma region efforts african great lakes certain issue support international criminal court common position agreed binding states follow defend policy regularly revised joint action refers action states deploy resources achieve objective example clearing combat spread small arms common strategies defined objective commits resources task years budgetary authority furthermore legislative branch officially holds union budgetary authority budget billion euro subject form ordinary legislative procedure single reading giving parliament power entire budget prior influence limited certain areas equal council disagreement taken committee legislative proposals joint text approved parliament adopt budget definitively addition budget council coordinates economic policy members organisation council rules procedure contain provisions necessary organisation functioning presidency presidency council single post held member state government months presidency states order council members allowing state body member states operate combined eighteen months common agenda formally holds presidency normal month period example president second half portugal second trio states alongside germany portugal operating council meets configurations outlined membership changes depending issue person council member state holding presidency delegate following presidency assists presiding member work requested exception foreign affairs council chaired high representative entry force lisbon treaty role presidency administrative political administrative responsible procedures organising work council term includes council meetings directing work committees working groups political element role successfully dealing issues council particular includes setting agenda council giving presidency substantial influence work council term presidency plays major role representing council representing internationally example united_nations configurations legally speaking council single entity practice divided different council configurations con formations article treaty european_union provides council shall meet different configurations list shall adopted accordance article treaty functioning european_union general affairs council shall ensure consistency work different council configurations shall prepare ensure follow meetings european council liaison president european council commission foreign affairs council shall elaborate union external action basis strategic guidelines laid european council ensure union action consistent council configuration deals different functional area example agriculture fisheries formation council composed ministers state government responsible area agriculture fisheries ministers chair council held member state holding presidency section similarly economic financial affairs council composed national finance ministers state chair held member coming presiding country councils meet irregularly year major configurations meet month currently formations general affairs general affairs work council prepares european council meetings deals issues crossing council formations foreign affairs chaired high representative presidency manages trade development operation meets defence configuration economic financial affairs composed economics finance ministers member states includes budgetary matters informal group composed member ministers agriculture fisheries composed agriculture fisheries ministers member states considers matters concerning common agricultural policy common fisheries policy forestry organic farming food feed safety seeds fisheries justice home affairs configuration brings justice ministers interior ministers member states includes civil protection employment social policy health consumer affairs composed employment social protection consumer protection health equal opportunities ministers created june merging previous configurations internal market industry research depending items agenda formation composed ministers responsible areas european affairs industry tourism scientific research entry force lisbon treaty acquired space matters space policy attributed council transport telecommunications energy created june merging policies configuration composition varying according specific items agenda formation meets approximately months environment composed environment ministers meet times year education youth culture sport composed education culture youth communications sport ministers meet times year includes issues political security committee brings ambassadors monitor international situations define policies particularly crises european council similar configuration council operates similar way composed national leaders heads government state president currently body purpose define general impetus union european council deals major issues appointment president european commission takes body meetings component euro group formal group president european council counterpart euro summit following entry force framework agreement space council configuration joint meeting council council ministerial level dealing implementation adopted organisations administration general council provides continuous infrastructure council carrying preparation meetings draft reports translation records documents assisting presidency secretary general council head divided seven general administered director general committee permanent representatives body composed representatives states ambassadors civil servants etc meet week prepare work tasks council monitors work deals parliament decision legislation divided groups representatives deputies agriculture dealt separately special committee agriculture numerous working groups submit reports council voting system treaty lisbon change voting system november cases double majority qualified majority voting replacing voting weights system decisions council taken member states representing population members council members political party national level members european level political party council composed represent states political parties nature coalition governments number states means individual configurations vary domestic party assigned portfolio broad ideological alignment state bearing nature law council produces extent link domestic parties puts pressure members european parliament vote certain way dominant holding member state seat european council additional ones sit configurations council european_union location decision european council edinburgh december council seat brussels april june october holds meetings council held meetings municipal place moved numerous occasions housed district city creation new communities councils discretion location given current president practice autumn point moved brussels agreement finalised edinburgh agreement annexed treaties location newly merged institutions council brussels meet april june october moved merged body council building brussels council moved building commission council rapidly ran space administrative branch moved building joseph 1980s language divisions moved buildings council moved building road staff increasing continued rent building house finnish swedish language divisions staff continued increase council rented addition owning heights buildings acquiring building aforementioned buildings council services palace acquired currently renovated house new press centre european council uses facilities council council meeting meets conference centre offices based european centre plateau council met occasionally cities outside union example met tokyo washington trade energy talks taking place council present rules procedures council extraordinary circumstances hold meetings outside brussels council debates delegates speak official languages official documents translated prior lisbon treaty minutes voting records available council acting legislator published official journal european_union meetings council open public viewing


international bank reconstruction development international bank reconstruction development international financial institution offers loans middle income developing countries member institutions compose world bank group headquartered washington united_states established mission financing reconstruction european nations devastated world war lending arm international development association collectively known world bank share leadership staff following reconstruction europe bank mandate expanded advancing worldwide economic development poverty provides commercial grade financing sovereign states fund projects seek improve transportation infrastructure education domestic policy environmental consciousness energy investments healthcare access food water access improved owned governed member states executive leadership staff conduct normal business operations bank member governments shareholders contribute paid capital right vote matters addition contributions member nations capital borrowing international capital markets bond issues raised billion usd capital bond issues different bank offers number financial services products including flexible loans grants risk guarantees financial derivatives catastrophic risk financing reported lending commitments billion projects history international bank reconstruction development international monetary fund established delegates woods conference operational established original mission financing reconstruction efforts war torn european nations following world war goals shared later marshall plan bank issued inaugural loan million billion dollars france finance infrastructure projects institution established field offices paris france copenhagen denmark prague czechoslovakia remainder 1940s 1950s bank financed projects seeking dam rivers generate electricity improve access water invested france belgium steel industry following reconstruction europe bank mandate transitioned poverty world international development association established serve bank lending arm provide low cost finance grants developing countries measured gross national income capita governance governed world bank board governors meets annually consists governor member country country finance minister treasury secretary board governors delegates authority daily matters lending operations board directors board directors consists executive directors chaired president world bank group executive directors collectively represent member states world bank president oversees overall direction daily operations july jim kim serves president world bank group bank operate staff approximately employees funding members contribute capital bank funds primarily borrowing international capital markets issuing bonds bank raised billion usd worth capital bonds issued different enjoyed triple credit rating allows borrow capital favorable rates offers global bonds bonds non hard structured notes custom tailored yields notes dollars sought additional billion usd billion paid capital general capital increase increase lending capacity middle income countries expressed february intent sell bonds bonds australian dollars issued external firms lasting services provides financial services strategic coordination information services borrowing member countries bank finances sovereign governments directly projects backed sovereign governments world bank treasury division manages bank debt portfolio billion financial derivatives transactions billion bank offers flexible loans long years custom tailored scheduling offers loans local joint effort international finance corporation bank offers financing entities sovereign guarantees needing quick financing unexpected change operates deferred option serves line credit features similar bank flexible loan program world bank group credit guarantee products offers policy based guarantees cover countries sovereign default risk partial credit guarantees cover credit risk sovereign government entity partial risk guarantees private projects cover government failure meet contractual obligations partial risk guarantee cover private projects member countries sovereign governments failures fulfill contractual obligations bank provides array financial risk management products including foreign exchange currency conversions interest rate interest rate caps floors help protect special risks bank offers deferred option provide financing natural disaster declared state emergency issues bonds transfer catastrophic risks investors reported billion lending commitments projects fiscal year significantly billion commitments fiscal year

International Bank for Reconstruction and Development


international centre settlement investment disputes international centre settlement investment disputes international arbitration institution established legal dispute resolution international investors funded world bank group headquartered washington united_states autonomous specialized institution encourage international flow investment non commercial risks treaty drafted international bank reconstruction development executive directors signed member countries contracting member states agree enforce uphold awards accordance convention center performs advisory activities maintains publications history 1950s 1960s organization european economic cooperation organisation economic operation development attempts create framework protecting international investments efforts revealed conflicting views provide compensation foreign direct investment general counsel international bank reconstruction development developed idea agreement process resolving individual investment disputes case case basis opposed imposing outcomes based standards held conferences consult legal experts parts world including europe africa asia discuss compose preliminary agreement staff wrote official draft agreement consulted legal representatives board directors draft approved board directors approved final draft agreement titled convention settlement investment disputes states nationals states bank president convention member states signature march states immediately ratified convention convention establishing entered force october investment treaties bits decade 21st century reaching treaties contain text refers present future investment disputes statistical details cases launch june registered dispute cases consisted convention arbitration cases convention cases additional facility arbitration cases additional facility cases june registered cases distributed following economic sectors oil gas mining electricity energy industries transportation industry construction industry financial industry information industry communication industry water industry food protection agriculture fishing forestry services trade tourism industry july registered arbitration cases concluded june tribunal resolved nearly thirds disputes remainder settled discontinued registered arbitration cases concluded commission reports issued proceedings proceedings discontinued reports parties failed reach agreement recorded agreement parties filed applications following law firms served times cases alpha order arnold porter king shearman sterling austin white case governments romania filed case investor states appearing descending order argentina venezuela egypt ecuador peru ukraine times legal representation cost million approximate duration case years governance governed administrative council meets annually center secretary general deputy secretary general rules regulations conducts center case proceedings center budget annual report council consists representative center contracting member states chaired president world bank group president vote normal operations carried comprises employees led secretary general provides support administrative council conducting center proceedings manages center panel panel contracting member state appoint persons panel addition serving center principal secretary general responsible legally representing serving proceedings serves center secretary general membership member states signed center convention include united_nations member states plus member states contracting member states ratified contract members ecuador withdrew venezuela withdrew contracting member states parties given dispute required convention recognize enforce awards non contracting signatories following member states signed convention date ratified belize dominican_republic guinea russia thailand non members brazil mexico india south_africa countries large economies members activities conduct arbitration proceedings offers institutional procedural support commissions committees conduct matters center sets rules determine cases initiated conducted convention regulations rules additional facility rules processed accordance convention legal dispute exist center contracting member states national contracting member state legal nature relate directly investment case processed additional facility rules parties dispute contracting member state national contracting member state cases convention arbitration entirely voluntary parties arbitration convention party withdraw consent administer dispute resolution proceedings treaties regularly assists parties investors states united_nations commission international trade law arbitration regulations center provides administrative technical support number international dispute resolution proceedings alternative facilities permanent court arbitration netherlands london court international arbitration international chamber commerce paris france conducts advisory activities research publishes investment laws world investment treaties april center published semi annual law journal entitled review foreign investment law journal proceedings generally place washington parties agree proceedings held number possible alternative locations including permanent court arbitration regional arbitration centres asian african legal committee cairo australian centre international commercial arbitration melbourne australian commercial disputes centre sydney singapore international arbitration centre gulf cooperation council commercial arbitration centre german institution arbitration chambers singapore hong_kong international arbitration centre centre arbitration chamber commerce case studies indonesian government sued june london based mining company churchill mining local government revoked concession rights held local company firm invested government churchill case claiming churchill correct type mining licenses october tribunal awarded judgment billion petroleum government ecuador additionally ecuador pay million compound interest half costs tribunal making total penalty billion south american country contract oil firm grounds violated clause company sell rights firm permission tribunal agreed violation took place judged fair treatment company irish oil firm oil took government court november value added tax placed goods services firm purchased operations country government responded company right claim tax goods prior commencement drilling tobacco major philip morris sued alleged swiss bit requiring cigarette packs display graphic health warnings sued australia australia hong_kong bits requiring plain packaging cigarettes company claimed packaging requirements countries violate investment context nuclear power phase germany swedish energy company sought compensation german government premature shut nuclear plants

International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes