This website provides answers to the most frequently asked questions about the EU and the Presidency.

• About the EU
  • How was the EU established?
  • What are the symbols of the EU?
  • What rights do citizens of the EU have?
  • Which countries are eligible to join the EU and how?
  • Which countries are members of the EU and when did they join?
  • What are the differences between the Council of Europe, the European Council and the Council of the EU?
  • What does "acquis communautaire" mean?
  • What is the Lisbon Strategy about?

• About the presidency
  • What does it mean: "to preside over the European Union"?
  • What are the duties of the Presidency?
  • What are the goals of the presidency?
  • To what extent may the presiding country assert its own interests?
  • Which countries will preside over the EU in the coming years?
  • Can a member state renounce the Presidency because it is demanding or too costly?

The European Commission also offers a large database with questions and answers about the European Union, their institutions and much more.