THE INSTITUTIONS OF THE E.U.

The European Commission The European Commission members are appointed for four years by the governments of the Member States and act only in the interest of the Union; they may not receive instructions from any national government and are only subject to the supervision of the European Parliament. The tasks of the European Commission are: to ensure that Union rules and the principles of the common market are observed. The Commission has investigative powers and can impose fines on individual or companies who are found to break EU competition rules. Individuals or companies may appeal to the Court of First Instance or Court of Justice of the European Union. Also Member States which do not meet their obligations towards the Union con be brought before the Courts by the Commission. to propose to the Council of Ministers measures for the development of Union policies (in agriculture, industry, energy, environment ect.) to implement Union policies as decided by the Council to negotiate trade agreements with non-member countries following the instructions of the Council. The European Commission is based mainly in Brussels and in Luxembourg. The European Parliament The European Parliament is elected by universal suffrage. Its members are elected every fife years in representation of the Unions 365 million people. Representation in Parliament is based on the size of the population of the member country: 81 members from each of the most populous countries (France, Germany, Italy, and Britain), 60 from Spain , 25 from Holland, 24 each from Belgium, Greece and Portugal, 22 from Sweden, 21 from Austria, 16 from Denmark and Finland, 15 from Ireland and 6 from Luxembourg. Parliament holds its sessions in Strasbourg, while its committees, which prepare the work for the general meetings, meet for the most part in Brussels. The role of Parliament covers several areas. For example, Parliament gives its opinion on proposals from the European Commission and may ask the Commission to change them accordingly ratifies or rejects international cooperation agreements prepared by the Commission adopts or rejects the Union budget prepared by the Commission checks to see that Union politicise are made to work.

The Council of Ministers The Council of Ministers consists of Ministers from each Member State and is responsible for making the major policy decisions. Each Member State acts as President of the Council for six months in rotation. Meetings are attended by different Ministers according to the agenda: for example, Agriculture Ministers discuss farm prices, while employment matters are dealt with by Ministers for Employment and Economy. The Minister for Foreign Affairs are responsible for the Unions external relations. The Council of Ministers meets in Brussels and, less frequently, in Luxenbourg. Its main role is that of examining proposals from the Commission and accepting them or altering them by unanimous agreement. The Court of Justice and the Court of First Instance The Court of Justice, which sits in Luxembourg, comprises 13 judges appointed for six years by the governments of the Member States. The Courts tasks include: declaring invalid any decision adopted by the Union institutions or by national governments which are incompatible mith Union law. Delivering an opinion on agreements which the Union proposes to conclude with non-member countries Hearing complaints brought by individuals who feel the national Cuorts have not deliverd a fair judgement of their case. The Court of Auditors The Unions financial activities are monitored by the Court of Auditors which consists of 15 members appointed for six years by the Council of Ministers. The Court of Auditors checks whether all Union funds have been collected and money has been spent in a legal and regular manner.