European and international institutions in Brussels
Brussels is called the capital of Europe, since in 1958 it became the headquarters of the then European Economic Community (now the European Union), and in 1967 the administrative centre of NATO.
The European Union
The EU began as a consolidation of European political and economic potential with the Treaty of Rome in 1957 between 6 countries, and resulted in the creation of the European Economic Community in 1958. In 1967, the various bodies of the EEC merged and the European Community was created, which was enlarged with new member countries in 1973. The European Monetary System, the ancestor of the single currency, the euro, was created in 1979. The Community was renamed after the Maastricht Treaty of 1992 which moulded the Union into its present state of a politically and economically integrated entity, confirming Brussels as its centre. The acceptance of the euro, the EU’s further enlargement in the 1990-s and the largest succession yet of 10 new member countries in 2004 is evidence of the Union’s continued potential. Web site: http://europa.eu.int
The European Commission
This is the executive branch of the EU, being responsible for formulating policies to be presented to the Council of Ministers for approval. There are 25 commissioners, one from each member state, appointed by their respective governments, each responsible for a policy area such as finance or transport. The Commission includes a President who is elected by the governments of the member states and inaugurated by the European Parliament, and also supervises adherence to the EU law by member states. Both the Commissioners and the President are elected for a five-year term.
Location in Brussels: Berlaymont building, 200 rue de la Loi (Wetstraat).
Web site: http://europa.eu.int/comm/
The Council of the European Union
The Council (formerly the Council of Ministers) is composed of Ministers from each member state. Depending on the agenda, the states are represented by the Minister of a relevant policy area. The Council is responsible for approving all EU legislation, usually by qualified majority. The members of the Council answer only to their national governments. The Presidency of the Council is held for six months by each member state, based on a rotation.
Location in Brussels: Justus Lipsius building, 175 rue de la Loi (Wetstraat).
Web site: http://ue.eu.int
The European Parliament
The Parliament is the legislative branch of the EU, composed of representatives elected by the people of the member states for a five-year term. It currently has 732 members from 25 countries. The Parliament accepts EU legislation, approves the EU budget and monitors the Commission. The Parliament hold a part of its sessions in Strasbourg and a part in Brussels.
Location in Brussels: Paul-Henri Spaak building, 60 rue Wiertz (Wiertzstraat).
Web site: www.europarl.eu.int
The Committee of the Regions
This EU body is the representation of local and regional authorities from the member states. It was established in 1994 and the European Commission and the Council of the EU are obliged to consult the Committee in proposals in certain areas which have effect on regional level.
Location in Brussels: Rue Montoyer 92-102.
Web site: www.cor.eu.int
NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization)
NATO is a military alliance of European and North American countries, established after the signing of the treaty in 1949. The purpose of the alliance is the enhancement of security of and military cooperation in the North Atlantic region and the regions surrounding member states and partner states.
NATO’s headquarters in Brussels is the political headquarters of the organization and the seat of the North Atlantic Council, NATO’s political decision-making body. It is home to national delegations from the member countries and among others, to liaison offices or diplomatic missions of partner countries. They are supported by NATO’s International Staff and International Military Staff, which are also located within the headquarters.
Location in Brussels: Boulevard Leopold III.
Web site: www.nato.int
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