The European Union, the world's leading supra-national organization, is the culmination of thousands of years of warfare on the European peninsula. The EU represents the first attempt by humanity to move from the nation-state to the continental-state.
Expanding at a steady rate of one country every two years, the Union has expanded from 6 member states in 1957 to 27 today. In time, the three remaining western countries of Europe - Norway, Iceland, and Switzerland - as well as the Balkan nations, will acceede to the Union, completing the sphere of peace and prosperity the EU has created on the continent.
By achieving such a remarkable level of cooperation in policy areas as wide as the environment, trade, and agriculture; the EU is now serving as a model for almost every region across the world recognizing the benefits of enhanced political and economic integration. For example, many regional-organizations are currently working towards duplicating the success of the Euro, the second most widely held reserve currency in the world.
Having achieved complete economic integration, the EU has taken one step closer with the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty towards forging a complete political union. The Treaty heralds the creation of the President of the European Council, and the High Representative for the Union. Though currently appointed by the European Council, we are not far from the day when every European citizen can participate in an election for the President of Europe.
Looking forward, the European Union is on course to remake the world as we know. Just think of the grand sweep of human history, and how we have continued to evolve socially. From tribes to city-states, to nation-states, and now, we are fortunate enough to live in the age where humanity transits from the nation-state to the continental-state. And in doing so, move us all ever closer to fulfilling the dream of humanity: achieving ever lasting freedom, peace and prosperity.
European Parliament (Primary Seat)
Strasbourg, France
The EU Parliament holds the distinction of being the world's largest international parliamentary body. It is also the only institution in the EU elected by universal suffrage. Parliament has steadily been expanding it's powers with each successive treaty. Most of the time it's empty, with MEPs only showing up when they are speaking. Recently, Parliament has introduced Question Time, in an attempt to spice up the proceedings. European Parliamentarians hold their plenary session in Strasbourg once a month. For the rest of the time, they are in Brussels.
In order to tour Parliament you require at least fifteen people and a letter declaring your interest. By all accounts, a stupid system. It's much easier to make a friend on the inside. Staff are allowed to give tours to friends and families. The best part of Parliament is the staff cafeteria, it's got a great selection of food, and you pay a flat rate for the bowl, no matter how much you pack in it. Also, if you can find your way up, the roof offers impressive views of Strasbourg.
|
European Parliament (Secondary Seat)
Brussels, Belgium
When MEPs are not in the four-day plenary session in Strasbourg, they keep busy with committee work and party meetings in Brussels. There is a strong movement among MEPs to make Brussels the permanent seat of Parliament, however it's not up to Parliament, but the member states. France calls the Parliament's Strasbourg seat "non-negotiable," a reasonable position considering no nation would consider giving up what could one day be the most powerful legislative body in the world. Though, in recognizing the negative effect the rotational parliament has on the functioning and perception of the Union, it is possible that the French government would be willing to trade Strasbourg for something equally as prestigious.
The parliamentary grounds are adorned by pieces of the Berlin Wall, a powerful reminder of how the EU, for all its faults, has town down barriers, and united the peoples of a continent.
One oddity relating to the EU Parliament in Brussels, is it's proximity to a drug haven. For one reason or another, Parliament vents it's heat into an ajoinging park. Now everybody knows that homeless people like to lay on these vents, so the park officials have gone one step futher and encapsulated the vents with a sort of pagoda vine thing, trapping in the heat. Not only is this contraption completely surrounded by garbage, but you can look down the into the ventilation shaft, and see a massive mound of garbage at the bottom. While I was walking the premises, I saw no less than two groups of teenagers go under the pagoda to smoke up.
|
European Commission
Brussels, Belgium
The Commission acts as the Executive arm of the Union. It has the sole authority to introduce bills into the EU Parliament. Directives must be accepted by both the Commission and Parliament in order to become "law", in a process aptly named "co-decision".
The Commission is also known as the "Guardian of the Treaties," tasked with the responsibility of making sure member states are complying with their legal obligations.
The Commission building is off-limits to the public. According to the pamphlet, it's design was "ambitious for it's day," which roughly translated, means it looks rather dreary and uninspiring today. Visitors to the site are directed to an exciting information centre located nearby, where they can peruse pamphlets in all 26 official languages. If you have room for it, be sure to pick up a copy of the European Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms.
|
European Central Bank
Frankfurt, Germany
The ECB is responsible for the monetary policy of the 16 members of the Eurozone (states that use the Euro), and is located in Frankfurt in order to emphasize it's political independence from the administrative centres of the EU and Germany. The Central Bank is one of the most powerful financial institutions in the world, perhaps only secondary to the U.S. Federal Reserve.
Though already powerful, the Bank's international prestigue will only contine to grow as more EU member states adopt the Euro, as they are bound to do by their accession treaties.
The buildings features a massive Euro sign on it's premises that is illuminated at night, thrilling tourists. An information centre about the common currency is located at the base of the building.
Despite the fact that the ECB has the exclusive right to authorize the issuance of Euro banknotes, I was disapointed to discover that there is no ATM. Member states are allowed to issue coins, but only in amounts authorized by the Bank.
|
European Court of Auditors
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Quite possibly the most boring of all EU Institutions, with a suitably boring building to match, the Court of Auditors reviews EU expenses and regulates how money is spent in the Union.
Given it's role as fiscal watchdog role, one assumes it would be the most popular institution in the Union. However, in reality it is probably the least well known and understood EU institution.
No surprise here, the court is composed of one member per EU member state. The court has therefore, as with most EU bodies, struggled to maintain effective decision-making with the Union's growth from nine member states in 1975, to 27 today.
The Court building offers nothing for members of the public.
|
European Court of Justice
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
The European Court of Justice is the highest adjudicating body of the Union, and is responsible for the fair application of EU Directives across the Union. The court consists of one judge per member state. However, they usual hear cases in panels of three or five. Only in exceptional circumstances will the ECJ sit in full court.
The ECJ can only rule on European Law, having no jurisdiction in matters of national law. Once the Court has interpreted the law, it is up to the member state to actualy carry out the interpretation.
Located in the centre of Luxembourg's European District, it forms the core of a rather drab administrative centre.
|
European Council
Brussels, Belgium
Think of the European Council as a Council of the member states. It is in the European Council where EU heads of government drive forward the integration process.
The Council is a fascinating body because it has no legal standing in the treaties, and yet in practical terms, is the most sovereign and fundamental of the EU institutions. The Council was the catalyst of the Union, and it's members have been gathering since 1957 in an effort to build a common roof over their heads. Prior to the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty in Dec. 1, 2009, the Presidency rotated among the member states for a period of 6 months. On January 1st, Herman Van Rompuy will become the first permanent President of the European Council, standing for a 2-year term.
Like most EU Institutions, the European Council building is difficult to access for members of the public. Taxpayers are only allowed to enter the atrium of the building once they pass security, and for their effort, are treated to some exciting decorations from the member state holding the presidency.
|
Council of Europe
Strasboug, France
As confusing as the names may be, it is important not to confuse the Council of Europe, with the European Council. The Council of Europe is technically not part of the European Union. It is a large international body with a membership that includes all European nations, whether or not they are apart of the EU. As more European nations joins the EU over time, the role of the Council of Europe becomes diminished. In some ways, you could consider the Council of Europe, the maximum possible expansion of the EU.
The Council operates three buildings close to the EU Parliament in Strasbourg. Two buildings are completely closed off to the public. While the third (pictured above right), offers tours to university's and other organized groups. Otherwise, you can pick up a riveting pamphlet once you pass through security checks.
I personally attempted to enter the Council three times. In my first heroic attempt, I simply walked in to see how far I could get, and that got me as far as the pamphlet, which was conveniently only available in French. The second time I tried to join a University group preparing for a tour, and despite the Professor's best attempt to convince the guard I was a late joiner, they would not let me through. In my third attempt, I came armed with a photo-id visitors card and two interns that worked for Parliament. The interns got in no problem, but I looked just a little too familiar.
|
European Investment Bank
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
The EIB is the long-term lender of the Union, supporting European integration by lending at favourable rates to economically weaker regions of the continent. The Bank holds a reserve of €164 billion euros, invested by it's owners: the member states of the EU.
The building is perhaps the most elegant of those located within Luxembourg. However, since it's exterior wall is composed completely of glass, one can easily see the ongoings within the building. In a strange twist, this means that you're not allowed to take pictures of the bank - a slight oversight in trying to create transparent institutions. I was reamed out by a guard for taking the photo you see on the right, so I hope you're enjoying it.
|
|
11.20.2009
The Union has spoken: the Franco-German core of the EU seeks to fuse with the United Kingdom.
|
|
03.02.2009
"Wider or deeper?" So goes the continual debate on EU enlargement. While a "wider EU" includes controversial applicants such as Turkey, a "deeper EU" is often described to feature an elected President of Europe, Foreign Minister, and unified defence structure. So how wide and deep will the EU go? Well, here is one prediction.
|
|
01.01.2007
The European Union is to date the greatest political endeavor in human history. The union is without precedent; peoples of multiple linguistic, ethnic, and cultural origins voluntarily pooling their sovereignty together into a higher level of collective organization.
|
05.21.2010
Prime Minister David Cameron has pledged to play a constructive role in Europe after holding talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel
05.14.2010
Russia is putting pressure on the European Union to turn the
next top-level meeting between the two -- the Rostov-na-Donu
gathering on May 31 -- into a "visa summit."
04.28.2010
Ukraine's economy will in the coming years integrate more closely with Russia than with the EU unless the union becomes more open, Ukraine's EU affairs minister has said.
04.28.2010
The European Commission has given the Ukrainian government a to-do list of 18 reforms which could trigger extra EU aid. The document is a six-paged table outlining concrete measures and possible EU aid in response to them, covering political reforms, macro-financial stability, the business environment, the energy sector, the environment and civil aviation.
04.27.2010
Chaos has erupted in the Ukrainian parliament during a debate
over the extension of the lease on a Russian naval base in
Ukraine.
|
|
