Who represents the EU externally?

the European Commission
With a few exceptions, the EC has the legislative initiative in the EU’s law-making procedure. With the exception of the Common Foreign and Security Policy, the European Commission represents the Union in its external relations. The Commission is composed of a college of 27 members and the President of the Commission.

How did the Treaty of Lisbon change the European Union?

The Lisbon Treaty updated European Union (EU) regulations, establishing more centralized leadership and foreign policy, a process for countries that want to leave the EU, and a streamlined process for enacting new policies.

Does the Treaty of Lisbon give the European Union legal personality?

The Treaty of Lisbon gives the EU full legal personality. Therefore, the Union obtains the ability to sign international treaties in the areas of its attributed powers or to join an international organisation. Member States may only sign international agreements that are compatible with EU law.

What was the purpose of the Lisbon Treaty?

The Treaty of Lisbon (initially known as the Reform Treaty) is an international agreement that amends the two treaties which form the constitutional basis of the European Union (EU).

How is the European Union representative of its member nations?

The EU is governed by the principle of representative democracy, with citizens directly represented at EU level in the European Parliament and Member States represented in the European Council and the Council of the EU.

Does EU have international legal personality?

Article 47 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) explicitly recognises the legal personality of the European Union, making it an independent entity in its own right.

Why would a country not want to become a member of the European Union?

The EU suffocates the nation state. These areas, such as monetary policy, the tax system and defence suffocate the nation state. The closing of agreements in these areas is difficult at the supranational level and the honouring of these agreements would be more effective if each country could decide for itself.

How do the differences between Western and Eastern nations divide the EU?

How do the differences between western and eastern nations divide the EU? Wealthier Western European countries are concerned that so much money is being spent in Central and Eastern Europe. Some Western Europeans worry about losing jobs to other EU workers who are willing to work for less money.

What are the main bodies in which EU member states are represented?

EU Institutions

  • European Council. The European Council brings together the heads of state or government of every EU country and decides on the political direction of the EU.
  • Council of the European Union.
  • European Commission.
  • European Parliament.
  • European Court of Justice.
  • Court of Auditors.
  • European Ombudsman.