The European Union is established in accordance with the Treaty on European Union (Maastricht). There are currently 25 Member States of the Union. It is based on the European Communities and the member states co-operation in the fields of Common Foreign and Security Policy and Justice and Home Affairs. The five main institutions of the European Union are the European Parliament, the Council of Ministers, the European Commission, the Court of Justice and the Court of Auditors.

The European Union is a major player in international co-operation and development aid. It is also the world's largest humanitarian aid donor. Today, the European Community has political and financial responsibility for over 11% of the world's public aid (ODA), compared with 5% in 1985.

The primary aim of the EC's own development policy, agreed in November 2000, is the eradication of poverty. To enhance its impact, the EC is targeting its assistance on six priority areas:
trade and development; regional integration and co-operation; support to macroeconomic policies and equitable access to social services; transport; food security and sustainable rural development; institutional capacity building, good governance and the rule of law.

In addition to these core areas, important crosscutting issues are being mainstreamed into development activities namely: human rights, gender equality, environment and conflict prevention.

www.europa.eu

http://ec.europa.eu/comm/europeaid/projects/index_en.htm

TACIS

Tacis is a programme of technical assistance underpinning the EU's relation with the countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. It supports the process of transition to market economies and democratic society in those countries. Tacis is managed by the Europe-Aid Co-operation Office and has developed numerous programmes and sub programmes to address specific needs in the target regions.

http://ec.europa.eu/comm/europeaid/projects/tacis/foreword_en.htm