Introduction to the European Union

The European Union is a supranational body with independent authority to which the member states are subject.

The European Union originated in the European Economic Community, set up by the six member states of Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, and since 1st May 2004 has 25 member states

Austria	Estonia	Hungary	Luxembourg	Slovak Republic
Belgium	Finland	Irish Republic	Malta	Slovenia
Cyprus	France	Italy	Netherlands	Spain
Czech Republic	Germany	Latvia	Poland	Sweden
Denmark	Greece	Lithuania	Portugal	United Kingdom

The following institutions that exist within the framework of the European Union are involved in legislation:

Commission of the European Union
Committee of the Regions
Council of the European Union
Court of First Instance
Court of Justice of the European Communities
European Court of Auditors
European Economic and Social Committee
European Parliament

The following European Union databases and printed publications are available in electronic form from Justis Publishing:

CELEX
European Court Reports
Official Journal of the European Union, C (Communication) Series
Official Journal of the European Union, L (Legislation) Series
Official Journal of the European Union, Supplement

The European Union is subject to and creates legislation:

Legislative process
Primary legislation (treaties)
Secondary legislation