The European Union

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the make up of the European Union. The paper explains that the structure of the European Union (EU) is based on 'pillars'. The central pillar of the European Community (EC) is at the heart of the system that contains the EU's governing institutions and performs the supranational functions. The paper claims that the EC pillar is flanked by two other pillars that perform the function of intergovernmental cooperation, Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and Justice and Home Affairs (JHA). A coordinating body called the European Council, which is the forum for the leaders of EU member governments, oversees all the three pillars.

From the Paper:

"The EU institutions listed above are part of the European Community (EC) pillar. As stated in the introduction, there are two other "pillars" of the EU- Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and Justice and Home Affairs (JHA). The CFSP is a forum for discussing the foreign policy and security issues, while the JHA tackles issues such as combating crime, drug trafficking, and immigration policies. Over these three pillars stands the European Council that consists of heads of member states and governments and the President of the Commission, supported by the foreign ministers and one member of the Commission. It links the three pillars together and provides the central leadership role. ("Institutional Structure..." 2004) "

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