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January 20, 2025

Unboxing the EU: a practical guide for journalists

  1. What are the EU institutions and what are their functions and responsibilities?
  2. What are the EU bodies and what is the difference with the institutions?
  3. How are the President, Commissioners, and Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) elected, and what are their responsibilities?
  4. How does the member states’ presidency work?
  5. How are EU policies and legislation defined? What is the role of EU institutions and member states in this?
  6. What is the role of High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy?
  7. What is COREPER and how does it work?
  8. What is the difference between a regulation, a directive, a recommendation, an opinion and a decision?
  9. What are the general rules and stages of the enlargement and membership process?
  10. EU foreign policy priorities: cooperation with the Eastern Partnership (EaP), Western Balkans and Southern Neighbourhood
  11. What are the functions and responsibilities of the Commissioner for Enlargement?
  12. Where can you find information about the EU events agenda, and how can you receive accreditation?
  13. Where can you find official audiovisual materials of the EU institutions?
  14. How to approach EU institutions and officials with media requests?
  15. What are the rules of ‘off the record’, ‘on the record’ or ‘background briefing’?
  16. How does the EU work for its citizens?

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