European Union

Political centres: Brussels, Strasbourg, Luxembourg

Commission: José Manuel Barroso
Parliament: Jerzy Buzek
European Council: Herman Van Rompuy

European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science: Máire Geoghegan-Quinn

Geography: The territory of the EU is not the same as that of Europe, as parts of the continent are outside the EU, such as Switzerland, Norway and European Russia. Some parts of member countries are not part of the EU, despite forming part of the European continent (for example the Channel Islands and Faroe Islands). Several territories associated with member states that are outside geographic Europe are also not part of the EU (such as Greenland, Aruba, the Netherlands Antilles and all the non-European territories associated with the United Kingdom). Some overseas territories are part of the EU even if they are not geographically part of Europe, such as the Azores, the Canary Islands, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Madeira, Martinique, Réunion, Saint Barthélemy and Saint Martin.

Source: Wikipedia

• topic 

  Research structure and policy

  For several decades, the European Union has supported research, science and technology by means of political measures in order to encourage cooperation between all those involved in European research and take better advantage of the European Union’s potential in the areas of industry and innovation. Sharing technological knowledge and forward-looking ideas will strengthen Europe’s competitiveness. That is why research policy plays a central role in the Lisbon Strategy for Growth and Employment in Europe (2000).
  [more] (URL: http://www.st-gaterus.eu/en/121.php)
   

• topic 

  Background information

  The European Union (EU) is a treaty-based community of originally six and currently twenty-seven Member States which is the result of many decades of European integration policy. The EU has the aim of establishing a lasting and structured partnership between its Member States in order to promote peace, prosperity and security in Europe. However, it is important to keep in mind that the European Union is in a state of constant flux.
  [more] (URL: http://www.st-gaterus.eu/en/120.php)