Over time, humanity began to realize that living in a union is much easier and safer than separately. Gradually, the fragmentation of peoples began to be replaced by cooperation and merging into single states. They, which were previously patchwork quilts, overcame feudal fragmentation. Later large-scale alliances began to form, countries began to enter into blocs in order to ensure security and prosperity. The degree and quality of integration has grown.
By the end of the 20th century, one of the most powerful and influential economic and political associations in the world, the European Union, could be observed in Europe. This is a complex union in terms of its structure: the structure of EU institutions is extremely ramified and may seem rather confusing.
What is the EU?
The European Union (or EU for short) is an integration association in Europe, which currently includes 28 states. It covers an area of 4.3 million km 2 , on which a little more than 500 million people live. The EU officially appeared in 1993 after signing the Maastricht Treaty a year earlier by 12 states. The history of European integration, however, began much earlier. At the moment, the European Union is considered the only international entity that has managed to achieve 4 levels of integration, that is, the creation of a full-fledged economic union.
Economic aspect
The European Union also plays an important role in the global economy, contributing 23% to the world's GDP. Within the framework of the European Union, a common market was created with the aim of facilitating trade, the movement of goods and services between the participating countries. EU countries are characterized by stable rates of economic development and large-scale exports and imports. Germany is the most economically developed country in the European Union in many respects.
The euro has been the single currency since 2002, but in the territory of not all 28 states, it’s only 19, since it is precisely this amount that is included in the eurozone. The political and economic functioning of the union is possible thanks to the activities of 7 EU institutions. One of the main goals set for the European Union is to continue the process of regional integration.
History of formation
The signing of the Maastricht Treaty is far from the first step of the ladder along which the process of European integration has passed. Similar moods and tendencies of unification were observed in European society before the Second World War, which were embodied in the pan-European movement. The official start date for integration was 1951, the year the Paris Treaty was signed. Then the Benelux countries founded the EUSC - an economic organization that aimed at the joint production of coal and steel. Later, in 1957, in order to expand economic cooperation, the EEC and Euratom were formed by signing the Rome Treaty.
In 1967, these three regional organizations were united under the leadership of the European Commission and the EU Council. They became the first in the system of EU institutions. Six years later, the first enlargement of the European Union took place : it included Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom. In 1981, Greece joined. Four years later, the Schengen zone was created in Europe, canceling passport control between the participating countries on its territory. In 1986, Greece joined the EU. From 1995 to 2013, several enlargements of the European Union are carried out, 16 states adjoin it. During this period, the euro enters into circulation - in 1999 the Eurozone was formed.
Institutes, authorities and institutions in the EU
The first institutions in Europe within the framework of the union began their activity in the 60s of the XX century. Over time, their number has increased and at the moment, seven institutional and about twenty non-institutional bodies are promoting the ideas and values of the European Union, ensuring its functioning. The Lisbon Treaty between EU Member States, which entered into force in 2009, marked the emergence of the European Union Treaty. It not only regulates domestic and foreign policy, the legislation of the European Union through the principles laid down in it, but also identifies the institutions responsible for carrying out this activity.
Institutions and EU bodies mean those bodies of the European Union that are responsible for fulfilling the key tasks assigned to it on a regional and global scale. The rights of institutions are noted and enshrined in the Treaty on the Establishment of the EU, signed in 1957. Do not confuse the seven institutions with EU agencies, since the latter are decentralized bodies with their own tasks. These bodies include European agencies on the environment, food safety, medicines and others. In total, there are more than twenty.
European Parliament
Together with the EU Council, it represents the legislative branch. Being one of the most important institutions of the EU, it holds the legislative power in the framework of the entire association. The parliament has seats for 750 deputies who have the right to vote, and one seat for the chairman, who does not have one. They represent the interests of their state and defend their views through political factions. In parliament, more than half of the seats belong to the two most powerful factions: the people's party and the alliance of socialists and democrats. Until 1979, national states elected deputies; now they are citizens of the European Union. Every five years, the list of deputies is updated.
The key tasks of the European Parliament include the formation of the budget of the European Union. A significant share of the budget (about 40%) goes to the implementation of the common agricultural policy. The parliament also has legislative and regulatory functions. The first is expressed in the adoption of laws and various directives, addressing issues of legal regulation. The second is in the control of the European Commission. He can accept or reject the results of the convocation of deputies, and also has the right to appoint the chairman of the European Commission.
European Council
It was founded in 1974 at the initiative of the President of the French Republic. The council includes all the heads of the EU member states and their government. Also, the chairpersons of the European Commission and, accordingly, the chairman of the European Council itself are required to attend. He, as of 2018, is Donald Tusk. The Council gathers to discuss urgent tasks quite often - about four times a year and more often.
The key task of one of the main EU institutions represented by the European Council is to develop a development strategy for the entire integration association. It manifests itself, first of all, in ensuring the competitiveness of the European economy, as well as in promoting the idea of further European integration in political aspects. The European Council makes the most important decisions for the European Union, they have the form of plans. So, for example, the famous Lisbon strategy was developed by him.
Council of the European Union
This institution and the EU body should not be confused with the European Council, as they have completely different rights, tasks, a different structure. In the hands of the EU Council, on a par with the European Parliament, is the legislative branch. He is also responsible for conducting a competent foreign policy, ensuring the internal security of the entire association. It is in his power to reject the majority of introduced legal acts.
As for the composition, the EU Council includes representatives of the participating countries, but not only the head, but also members of governments in a position no lower than the minister. From time to time, the Council gathers from the heads of state. He deals with those issues on which no solution or compromise was reached in the working groups, and then in the Committee of Permanent Representatives. Voting is held on the principle of a qualified majority. Representatives from EU Member States, one from each country, participate in it.
European Commission
As the highest governing body, the European Commission began its work at the very beginning of the nascent European Union - in 1951. Since then, its functions have changed significantly. In the classification of EU institutions, it represents the executive branch and is responsible for monitoring the effectiveness of the implementation of decisions proposed by the EU Council and the European Parliament. It consists of 28 members - one commissioner from each country of the European Union. Each of them ensures the productivity of the body and promotes the values of the state from which it was sent.
The commission also has responsibility regarding the preparation of draft laws - it is obliged to implement them if they are approved by representatives of the legislative branch. It also carries with it diplomatic functions, ensuring cooperation between the European Union and the rest of the world. The key feature of the European Commission is that only this body has the right to submit bills to the European Parliament. The main focus of the commission is usually focused on the economic sphere.
European Union Court
Founded back in 1952, it is now an EU institution, which is the judicial branch. It includes the highest level of the European judicial system, directly the court. Then the tribunal follows in descending order, followed by specialized tribunals. All parts of the judicial system can act as links of first instance. The EU Court has its own structure, which includes three elements: the president, general advocates, the plenary session and the chambers.
The chairman is elected for a term of three years, his main task is to monitor the activities of the court. He also has the right to convene plenary meetings and suspend affairs. Now in this institution of the EU and Europe, the largest countries (six of them) have their own permanent attorney. The chambers were created as special units in order to increase the productivity of the court and the number of resolved cases.
European Court of Audit
This institute was created with the aim of conducting audits of the European budget and began to function in 1975. As in some other institutions of the European Union, 28 representatives work in the Accounts Chamber. From each participating country, one person must be present who has sufficient competencies for the position. Each representative is appointed by the EU Council for a term of six years.
The main functions of the Accounts Chamber include: fixing cash flows directed to and from the budget; assessment of financial management productivity and support to the European Parliament as part of the implementation of the European budget. Each year, the Accounts Chamber compiles and presents reports on the work performed. During this year, chamber auditors evaluate the effectiveness of budget allocation, traveling to EU countries and countries receiving financial assistance from it.
European Central Bank
Located in Germany, it is the main bank of the Eurozone. The ECB has full autonomy and is independent of other bodies of the European Union. Its main tasks include: control of gold and foreign exchange reserves; issue of euro into circulation; development of interest rates; ensuring price stability in the euro area. A key figure in the EU financial policy is the central bank, but the whole system also includes the national banks of the EU member states. The current system of central banks is responsible for monetary policy throughout the Eurozone.
The control of the money supply in the Eurozone also lies on the shoulders of this EU institution. He is engaged in its distribution among various financial institutions, companies and the state. The ECB has four types of operations: basic and long-term refinancing operations; Fine tune and structural. As part of the refinancing, the Central Bank gives loans to commercial banks, and those, in turn, issue securities to the Central Bank as collateral. The last two types of operations include not only loans, but also the purchase of securities.
Chamber of Auditors
Proper distribution of the European budget, as well as control over financial revenues in it, is a rather difficult task. The Accounts Chamber is assisted by auditors in this matter. The Chamber of Auditors is an EU institution only within the framework of the Accounts Chamber, but at the same time it functions without looking back at the activities of other institutions. Its members, who serve as auditors, are elected for six years. Their main task is to carry out inspections of various institutions, bodies, foundations and individuals who receive funding from the budget of the European Union. Their goal is to prevent corruption from flourishing in the EU. They should report any violations to higher authorities. Auditors do not have the right to engage in any other activity and receive informal remuneration for their work.
General conclusion
The European Union as an integration association appeared not so long ago, despite the more than 50-year history of political and economic integration. This is a fairly vast territory, which is represented by 28 member states. Exercising control on such a huge scale is not easy, therefore, since the very first associations (EUSC, Euratom and EEC) were founded, the participating countries were in dire need of supranational institutions and bodies. The first were founded in the early 1950s. Gradually, their number grew. The functions of EU institutions, bodies and institutions have expanded and modified. As a result of more than 70 years of the formation of European associations, the EU currently has 7 specialized institutions whose purpose is the political and economic functioning of the association of European countries. It is also provided by more than 20 non-institutional bodies operating throughout the EU.