The institutions of the EU

The governing system of the European Union (EU) differs from all previous national and international models. The EU is founded on international treaties between sovereign nations rather than on a constitution. The EU is also distinguished from the generality of international organizations by having the power to enact laws that are directly binding on all EU citizens throughout the EU territory.

The EU has been described as a supranational entity. The Member States have relinquished part of their national sovereignty to the EU institutions. There are five main EU institutions: the Council of the EU (often referred to as the Council of Ministers), the European Commission, the European Parliament, the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Auditors.

In addition, Heads of State of Government and the Commission President meet at least twice a year in European Council Summits to provide overall strategy and political direction. The presidency of the EU rotates between the Member States every six months.

European Commission

The European Commission (EC) is the executive arm of the EU, and its 20 Commissioners provide overall leadership and direction. The present Commission is let by President Romano Prodi, a former Italian prime minister.

Pascal Lamy, advisor to former Commission president Jacques Delors, is responsible for "International Trade", one of the most important portfolios because the EC represents the EU in international trade negotiations.

Poul Nielson, former Danish minister for cooperation, is in charge of the "International Cooperation" portfolio.

With its staff of more than 15,000 people, the EC is the largest of the EU's institutions.

EC represented in Indonesia

The EC also maintains a worldwide network of more than 100 external offices. In Indonesia, the Representation of the EC was established by an agreement with the government of Indonesia in established by an agreement with the government of Indonesia in September 1988. The Head of the Representation is also accredited to Singapore and Brunei Darussalam and is responsible for cooperation with the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta.

To support the increasing activities in terms of EC emergency assistance, a regional office of the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) was set up at the EC Representation in early 1999.