About the EU

This section contains information on EU institutions and bodies, how decisions are taken within the EU, how decisions are prepared in working groups, how the EU is financed, the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI), EU jargon and key dates in the history of the EU.

EU institutions and bodies

The institutions and bodies of the European Union (EU), located in Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg, manage and coordinate the work of the EU. Since the establishment of the Union, the number, size and influence of these institutions and bodies has evolved considerably.

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Council working groups

In its legislative work, the Council is supported by committees and working parties which prepare its work and decisions. The Committee of Permanent Representatives of the Governments of the Member States to the European Union (Coreper) is the Council's main preparatory body. Coreper is supported by more than 150 highly specialised working parties and committees.

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European Union decision-making

The European Union was created in the wake of the Second World War to promote peace in Europe. Decision-making by agreement and/or consensus was therefore an overriding principle and is still reflected today in the legislative and decision-making processes and in the structures of the main EU institutions.

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Updated 16-06-2015