4.3. The principal institutions of the eu

.

4.3.1 Study these words before reading the text. institution - учреждение, организация, орган European Commission - Европейская Комиссия

Council of the European Union (Council of Ministers) - Совет Европей­ского Союза (Совет Министров)

European Parliament - Европейский Парламент European Council - Европейский Совет

European Court of Justice (ECJ) - Европейский Суд Справедливости

Court of First Instance - Суд Первой Инстанции

European Court of Auditors - Аудиторский Суд

European Investment Bank - Европейский Инвестиционный Банк

Committee of Regions - Региональная Комиссия

Ombudsman - Омбудсмен

European Central Bank - Европейский Центральный Банк to enhance - увеличивать, усиливать

guardian - зд. блюститель

summit - встреча на высшем уровне

supervision - надзор

good practice - законные действия

malpractice - противозаконные действия

4.3.2 Read the text and translate it into Russian using a dictionary.

The European Union (EU) was founded to enhance political, economic and social cooperation in Europe. Its institutions are an expression of the will to

create a 'closer union of the peoples of Europe' based on the following share of political responsibilities: the European Commission proposes, the European Par­liament advises, the Council of the European Union decides, and the Court of Justice rules.

The Commission consists of members (Commissioners) appointed by the member states for 5 years. They must be nationals of a member state (there are two members from the largest states -France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK - and one from the rest). However, they do not represent their own countries: they are independent, and represent the interests of the EU overall.

The Commission has three distinct functions:

• initiator of proposals for legislation;

• guardian of the Treaties;

• executor of Union policies.

The Council of the European Union, also known as the Council of Minis­ters represents the interests of individual member states. It does not have a per­manent membership - in each meeting, the members are chosen according to the subject under discussion (for example, if a discussion is on farming the Minister of Agriculture of each country will attend).

(The Council of the European Union should not be confused with the Euro­pean Council which is formed by Heads of State or Government who meet twice a year in the form of summit meetings to discuss important Union mat­ters.)

The European Parliament is composed of members (MEPs) who are elected in their own countries to five-year terms. The individual member coun­tries are represented according to population.

The most important powers of the European Parliament are:

• legislative power;

• power over the budget;

• supervision over the executive.

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) is composed of 27 judges and 9 ad­vocates general.

The Court decides cases brought by the member states, by the Union institu­tions and by individuals and companies. It guarantees uniform interpretation of the Union law.

In 1989 a Court of First Instance was attached to the Court of Justice to improve the judicial protection of individual interests. The Court of First In­stance now deals with all cases of individuals and companies against the Union institutions. Its decisions may be appealed to the Court of Justice.

As the European Union has enlarged, the institutions have grown larger and more numerous. The European Court of Auditors plays an important role of financial control; the European Investment Bank is a major source of finance for economic development; the Committee of Regions represents the regional interests in the Union; the Ombudsman deals with ensuring good practice in the administration of the Community institutions; and the European Central Bank has the main aim of price stability.