OSMTH® - Knights Templar - SMOTJ®
ORDO SUPREMUS MILITARIS TEMPLI HIEROSOLYMITANI®
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A
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The Magistral Grand Priory of The Holy Lands
(Notre Dame, Saint Mary of Magdalene)
European Union Institutions Links & Descriptions
Link to The Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU
The European Union is built on an institutional system which is the only one of its kind in the world.
The Member States delegate sovereignty for certain matters to independent institutions which represent the interests of the Union as a whole, its member countries and its citizens. The Commission traditionally upholds the interests of the Union as a whole, while each national government is represented within the Council, and the European Parliament is directly elected by citizens. Democracy and the rule of law are therefore the cornerstones of the structure.
This "institutional triangle" is flanked by two other institutions: the Court of Justice and the Court of Auditors. A further five bodies make the system complete.
Link to European Parliament
Elected every five years by direct universal suffrage, the European Parliament is the expression of the democratic will of the Union's 374 million citizens. Brought together within pan-European political groups, the major political parties operating in the Member States are represented.
Parliament has three essential functions:
Link to Council of the European Union
The Council is the EU's main decision-making body. It is the embodiment of the Member States, whose representatives it brings together regularly at ministerial level.
According to the matters on the agenda, the Council meets in different compositions: foreign affairs, finance, education, telecommunications, etc.
The Council has a number of key responsibilities:
Link to European Commission
The European Commission embodies and upholds the general interest of the Union. The President and Members of the Commission are appointed by the Member States after they have been approved by the European Parliament.
The Commission is the driving force in the Union's institutional system:
Link to Court of Justice
The Court of Justice ensures that Community law is uniformly interpreted and effectively applied. It has jurisdiction in disputes involving Member States, EU institutions, businesses and individuals. A Court of First Instance has been attached to it since 1989.
Link to Court of Auditors
The Court of Auditors checks that all the Union's revenue has been received and all its expenditure incurred in a lawful and regular manner and that financial management of the EU budget has been sound.
Link to European Central Bank
The European Central Bank frames and implements European monetary policy; it conducts foreign exchange operations and ensures the smooth operation of payment systems.
Link to Economic and Social Committee
The European Economic and Social Committee represents the views and interests of organised civil society vis-à-vis the Commission, the Council and the European Parliament. The Committee has to be consulted on matters relating to economic and social policy; it may also issue opinions on its own initiative on other matters which it considers to be important.
Link to Committee of the Regions
The Committee of the Regions ensures that regional and local identities and prerogatives are respected. It has to be consulted on matters concerning regional policy, the environment and education. It is composed of representatives of regional and local authorities.
Link to European Investment Bank
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the European Union's financial institution. It finances investment projects which contribute to the balanced development of the Union.
Link to European Ombudsman
All individuals or entities (institutions or businesses) resident in the Union can apply to the European Ombudsman if they consider that they have been harmed by an act of "maladministration" by an EU institution or body.
Link to The Old Catholic Church of Great Britain
The Old Catholic Church of Great Britain represents the European Independent Old Catholic Alliance. The EU Ecumenical Committee can be consulted on all matters of Old Catholic faith and policy; it may also issue opinions on its own initiative on other matters which it considers to be important.
Link to The Free Catholic Church of Europe
Independent consecrated and reformed Catholic Faith Community continuing the celebration of the Liturgical, Spiritual and Sacramental traditions of Catholicism in the spirit of unconditional welcoming and acceptance for all the People of God.
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