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The European Union and other Regional Organizations European UnionThe European Union is a unique, treaty-based, institutional framework that defines and manages economic and political cooperation among its fifteen member countries. The Union is the latest stage in a process of integration begun in the 1950s by six countries - France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg - whose leaders signed the original treaties establishing various forms of European integration. European CommissionThe European Commission proposes policies and legislation, is responsible for administration, and ensures that the provisions of the Treaties and the decisions of the institutions are properly implemented. The Commission consists of 20 Commissioners, including the President, who are appointed by common agreement among the member states and approved as a body by the European Parliament. Commissioners hold portfolios of responsibility and act in the interest of the Union, independently of national governments.
The Council enacts legislation binding throughout EU territory and directs intergovernmental cooperation. The Council is composed of ministers representing the national governments of the 15 Member States. Different ministers attend Council meetings depending on the agenda. Most decisions are taken by majority vote, but some decisions (for instance on foreign policy in the framework of the CFSP, taxation, and environmental issues) still require unanimity. The Presidency of the Council rotates among the member states every six months. Each Presidency concludes with a European Council which brings together the Heads of State or Government of the members.
The European Parliament is composed of 626 members, directly elected to five-year terms. Members of the European Parliament form political rather than national groups. The European Parliament now has a limited legislative role thanks to the co-decision procedure introduced by the Maastricht Treaty. The Parliament acts as the EU's public forum, debating issues of public importance and questioning the Commission and the Council. The Parliament can amend or reject the EU budget. European Court of Justice and Court of First Instance The Court of Justice interprets EU law and its rulings are binding. The Court comprises 15 judges assisted by 9 advocates-general. It is assisted by a Court of First Instance, which has jurisdiction to hear cases in limited areas. The Economic and Social Committee comprises 222 members who represent employers, employees and numerous other groups such as farmers and consumers. It must be consulted before the adoption of a significant number of decisions; it may also deliver opinions on its own initiative. The Committee of the Regions, newly established by the Treaty on European Union, also comprises 222 members, representing local and regional authorities. It must be consulted before the adoption of decisions affecting regional interests, and it may also deliver own-initiative opinions The Agencies of the European Community A Community agency is a body governed by European public law; it is distinct from the Community Institutions (Council, Parliament, Commission, etc.) and has its own legal personality. It is set up by an act of secondary legislation in order to accomplish a very specific technical, scientific or managerial task which is specified in the relevant Community act. Guide to Researching EU Materials From Cornell Law School The Arctic Council is a high-level intergovernmental forum that provides a mechanism to address the common concerns and challenges faced by the Arctic governments and the people of the Arctic. The Non Aligned Movement (NAM) A movement of 115 member states representing the interests and priorities of developing countries. Begun in 1955 at the Asia-Africa Conference in Indonesia. Group of 77 at the United nations Largest Third World coalition at the United Nations, founded in 1964 The CommonwealthThe Commonwealth is an association of 53 countries. Its 1.8 billion citizens, about 30 percent of the world's population are drawn from the broadest range of faiths, races, cultures and traditions. Members range from vast countries like Canada to small island states like Malta. The Commonwealth has three intergovernmental organisations: the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Commonwealth Foundation, and the Commonwealth of Learning. Organization of American StatesThe world's oldest regional organization, the Organization of American States (OAS) finds its origins in the International Union of American Republics which was established in 1890. The OAS currently has 35 Member States. In addition, the Organization has granted Permanent Observer status to 37 States and the European Union. Traditionally concerned with issues surrounding inter-American security, the OAS has recently shown signs of evolving into a regional trade organization. The main functional bodies of the OAS are set out below.
African Union (formerly the Organization of African Unity) The Organization of African Unity was established on May 25, 1963, at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and the Charter of the Organization was signed on that occasion by Heads of State and Government of 32 independent African States. Its purposes are to promote the unity and solidarity of the African States; defend the sovereignty of members; eradicate all forms of colonialism; promote international cooperation having due regard for the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; coordinate and harmonize Member States economic, diplomatic, educational, health, welfare, scientific and defense policies. The organization became the African Union at the 37th OAU Summit via theSirte Decision on the African Union, Lusaka, Zambia, July, 2001. The new organization will be an economic union with the goal of economic integration and promotion of democratic values. For a list of links to summits and to the Constitutive Act of the African Union, visit the African Studies program of Columbia University Inter-Parliamentary Union |
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