Privacy — Comparing European Union Institutions

Understanding European Union

Purpose: A political and economic union aimed at fostering economic cooperation, creating a single market, and ensuring political integration.

Twenty Seven Members of European Union

Members: 27 member states.

• Members: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
• Not all European countries are members (e.g., Norway, Liechtenstein, Switzerland).

Key Features:

• Manages laws in specific areas like trade, agriculture, and the eurozone.
• Has its own institutions, such as the European Parliament, European Commission, and European Council.
• Citizens of EU member states enjoy certain rights, like free movement within the union.

Understanding Council of Europe

Purpose: Focused on promoting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law across Europe.