Languages
24 Official Languages
All equal in rank and status
All language versions of the Treaties and community measures are equally authentic
Official meetings conducted in all official languages with simultaneous translation
All official documents in 24 Languages
But French and English are the “working languages”
EU institutions
There are 7 under the TOL (Art 13 TEU)
The European Council
The Council
The European Commission
The European Parliament
The European Court of Justice
The European Central Bank
The Court of Auditors
European Council
Not to be confused with the COUNCIL!!!
Consists of the heads of state/government, its president and the president of the commission assisted by ministers for
foreign affairs (Art 15 TEU)
Meets twice every 6 months
Decisions normally by consensus
Main functions
Platform to exchange informal views among leaders (represents the Member States)
Political direction for development of EU
Settles sensitive matters (deliberations confidential)
Gives general guidance
The council of the EU
Previously called the COUNCIL of MINISTERS, now referred to simply as the COUNCIL (Art 13 TEU)
Made up of a representative of each MS at ministerial level who has authority to commit the government of the MS in
question and cast its vote (Art 16 TEU)
Principal legislative institution of the EU—represents the interest of each MS
Can work in different configurations pursuant to TFEU 236—different ministers for different issues
Membership is fluid not static—depending on the issue presented
For example if there was an issue relating to the control of the pollution in European rivers then it is expected that the
Minister for the Environment for the various MS would attend; whereas if the issue was improving the ability to move
goods by train throughout the EU then the Minister of Transport from each MS might participate
Configurations
General Affairs and External Relations
Foreign Affairs
Economic and Financial Affairs
Justice and Home Affairs
Employment, Social Policy, Health/Consumer
Competitiveness (Internal market, Industry/Research)
Transport, Telecommunications and Energy
Agriculture and Fisheries
24 Official Languages
All equal in rank and status
All language versions of the Treaties and community measures are equally authentic
Official meetings conducted in all official languages with simultaneous translation
All official documents in 24 Languages
But French and English are the “working languages”
EU institutions
There are 7 under the TOL (Art 13 TEU)
The European Council
The Council
The European Commission
The European Parliament
The European Court of Justice
The European Central Bank
The Court of Auditors
European Council
Not to be confused with the COUNCIL!!!
Consists of the heads of state/government, its president and the president of the commission assisted by ministers for
foreign affairs (Art 15 TEU)
Meets twice every 6 months
Decisions normally by consensus
Main functions
Platform to exchange informal views among leaders (represents the Member States)
Political direction for development of EU
Settles sensitive matters (deliberations confidential)
Gives general guidance
The council of the EU
Previously called the COUNCIL of MINISTERS, now referred to simply as the COUNCIL (Art 13 TEU)
Made up of a representative of each MS at ministerial level who has authority to commit the government of the MS in
question and cast its vote (Art 16 TEU)
Principal legislative institution of the EU—represents the interest of each MS
Can work in different configurations pursuant to TFEU 236—different ministers for different issues
Membership is fluid not static—depending on the issue presented
For example if there was an issue relating to the control of the pollution in European rivers then it is expected that the
Minister for the Environment for the various MS would attend; whereas if the issue was improving the ability to move
goods by train throughout the EU then the Minister of Transport from each MS might participate
Configurations
General Affairs and External Relations
Foreign Affairs
Economic and Financial Affairs
Justice and Home Affairs
Employment, Social Policy, Health/Consumer
Competitiveness (Internal market, Industry/Research)
Transport, Telecommunications and Energy
Agriculture and Fisheries
