About EU

What is the European Union?

A unique economic and political partnership between 27 democratic European countries.

What are its aims?

Peace, prosperity and freedom for its 498 million citizens — in a fairer, safer world.

What results so far?

Frontier-free travel and trade, the euro (the single European currency), safer food and a greener environment, better living standards in poorer regions, joint action on crime and terror, cheaper phone calls, millions of opportunities to study abroad … and much more besides

How does it work?

To make these things happen, EU countries set up bodies to run the EU and adopt its legislation. The main ones are:

  • the European Parliament (representing the people of Europe);
  • the Council of the European Union (representing national governments);
  • the European Commission (representing the common EU interest).
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