Anthem of the EU This is the anthem not only of the European Union but also of Europe in a wider sense. The melody comes from the Ninth Symphony composed by Ludwig Van Beethoven in In 1985, it was adopted by EU heads of State and Government as the official anthem of the European Union. It is not intended to replace the national anthems of the Member States but rather to celebrate the values they all share and their unity in diversity.

Flag of the European Union It is the symbol not only of the European Union but also of Europe's unity and identity in a wider sense. The circle of gold stars represents solidarity and harmony between the peoples of Europe. All European institutions have been using it since the beginning of 1986.

EU-Moto “United in diversity” “United in diversity” is the motto of the European Union. It came into use around the year 2000 and was for the first time officially mentioned in the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe, which was signed in The motto means that,via the EU, Europeans are united in working together for peace and prosperity, and that the many different cultures, traditions and languages in Europe are a positive asset for the continent.

Europe Day On 9 May 1950 the French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman read to the international press a declaration calling France, Germany and other European countries to pool together their coal and steel production as "the first concrete foundation of a European federation". Everything, therefore, began that day. That is why during the Milan Summit of EU leaders in 1985 it was decided to celebrate 9 May as "Europe Day".

3 Pillars of the EU European Communities (EEC, EURATOM, ECSC) Cooperation in Justice and Home Affairs Common Foreign and Security Policy

Institutions of the EU European Parliament European Commission Council of the EU/European Council European Court of Justice European Central Bank

European Parliament 785 EMPs (= European Members of Parliament), they are not linked in national groups but in political ones. Elections are conducted every 5 years in the Member States. The seat of the EP is Strasbourg, although the committees and the political groups mostly meet in Brussels. The current President of the EP is Hans-Gert Pöttering from Germany. The EP is a legislative body.

Political Parties Group European People's Party–European Democrats (EPP- ED) Group of the Party of European Socialists (PES) Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) Union for Europe of the Nations (UEN) European Greens–European Free Alliance (Greens-EFA) European United Left–Nordic Green Left (GUE-NGL) Independence and Democracy (IND/DEM) Identity, Tradition, Sovereignty (ITS)

European Commission The Commission comprises 1 Commissioner per member state, so currently there are 27 of them. A new Commission is appointed every 5 years. The current president of the EU Commission is José Manuel Barroso from Portugal. TASKS ~ LEGISLATIVE TASKS The Commission has the right of initiative. ~ EXECUTIVE TASKS The major executive task of the Commission is to act as the “Guardian of the Treaties”.

Council of the EU The Council of the European Union, also called Council of Ministers, is a governing body that forms, along with the European Parliament, the legislative arm of the European Union. It contains ministers of the governments of each of the member states. Its composition varies accoring to the legal issues to be dealt with.

European Council The European Council is made up of the Heads of State or Government and the President of the Commission. It meets four times a year (European Summits) and is in charge of defining the political guidelines for the future development of the European Union.

European Court of Justice Seat: Luxembourg It consists of 8 Advocates General and 27 Judges (one from each MS) The Judges and Advocates General are appointed by common accord by the governments of the member states for a renewable term of six years. The Court of Justice is in charge of jurisdiction in the EU.

European Central Bank President: Jean-Claude Trichet Seat: Frankfurt TASKS: ~ Defining and implementing the monetary policy of the Community. ~ Exclusive right to authorize the issue of banknotes and coins within the Community. ~ Holding the official foreign reserves.