2. What is a European Union? The EU is a union of different European countries to realize their common goals.The members are Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Denmark, Austria, Sweden, Spain, Greece, Portugal and Finland.The EU represents a desire for peace and cooperation among European states. With increased growth the EU may become a major economic rival to North America and Asia.

4. European Commission Council of ministers European council European Parliament Committees Court of Justice

5. The executive branch of the EU. Consists of 20 members,a president, all elected by the member States. It watches over the correct usage of the Treaty rules and the decisions of the community bodies, makes policy proposals, represents the EU in economic relations with other countries or international organizations.

6. Is the main law-making body of the EU, composed of ministers from the member governments. It is aided by the Committee of Permanent Representatives, consists of ambassadors of each member state.

7. Once every six months the president of the Council of Ministers calls the top leaders of the member states together to a summit meeting. The summits were instituted on a regular basis in 1975, became an official part of the EC structure.

8. Members are directly elected by the citizens of its member states. The main body meets in Strasbourg (Palais de I`Europe), though most of its work is done in Brussels. The secretariat is based in Luxembourg. It is open to the public and its resolutions are published in 11 European languages. It consists of 626 seats, distributed on the population of each member state. 1994 Germany largest representation with 99 seats.

9. The Economic and Social Committee: very important. Its 189 members, appointed to four-year terms by the Council of Members. It has an advisory role. Committee of the Regions: should bring the EU closer to its citizens and give regional and local authorities a voice in government. It has 189 members allocated based on the population of each country. No legislative power.

10. The final arbiter in all matters of EU law is the Court of Justice. Composed of 15 judges who are appointed to six-year terms, one judge from each member country. The court deals with disputes between member governments and EU institutions and among EU institutions, and with appeals against EC rulings or decisions.

11. Presentation was presented by Evgeniya Golubtsova.