The Union shall be served by a single institutional framework which shall ensure the consistency and the continuity of the activities carried out in order to attain its objectives while respecting and building upon the acquis communautaire (first paragraph, Article 3 of the Treaty of the European Union).

The European institutions, being an expression of political will of Member-States, ensure that matters of common interest are discussed and decided at an European level, respecting principles of democracy, cooperation and equality among States.

The shift of national competences to European institutions intends to define and carry out policies that, strictly observing the principle of subsidiarity, Member-States believe they can be carried out more efficiently within the framework of the Union.

The powers and responsibilities of these institutions are clearly established by the Treaties that were ratified by the Member-States, according to their own national mechanisms, following the Member-States' negotiations among themselves to approve these dispositions through their respective Heads of State gathered at the European Council.  

European Parliament

Council of the European Union

European Commission

Court of Justice

Court of Auditors

European Council

The European Union also has consulting and financial bodies that carry out specific missions, as well as specialized agencies, created to undertake certain technical, scientific and management missions.