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Europe
In post-World War II Europe, institutions were created that are unprecedented in world history, and these directly affect the lives of the citizens of the Member States of the European Union. From the beginnings of the first European treaties, entered into by the six founding members Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Belgium, the European Union has meanwhile developed into a group which includes 25 Member States.
German EU Presidency 2007
Europe must be an area of freedom, security and justice. This is what our European treaties say; this is what our citizens expect; and this is what our political endeavours strive to achieve.
The EU: Basic Facts
The European Communities may be differentiated from other international organisations by their connecting elements, which are the expression of a particularly high degree of integration and may be summarised with the term “supranationality.”
Legal and Justice Policy
The European Union and the European Communities have a broad
spectrum of competence which affects virtually all areas of life.
Further Development of the EU - A Constitution for Europe
Even following the signing of the Treaties of Amsterdam and Nice, the legal foundations of the European Community and the European Union were not completely consistent with the ideal of of a citizen-oriented and transparent Union, always capable of action even with an increased number of Member States.
Important Contacts for Citizens
Various European institutions are available as contacts for citizens who have questions about the European Union or wish to complain because they perceive a violation of European law.
