European integration is growing more complicated by the day. This glossary explains the meaning of some of the more important words and phrases.

If you have any additions or amendments to suggest to the definitions or the links, please e-mail them to glossary@federalunion.org.uk.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

CAP - Common Agricultural Policy, which makes subsidy payments to farmers. It takes up about half of the European Union budget despite considerable reforms in recent years. Enlargement to central and eastern Europe means that more reform is needed if the CAP is not to become too expensive. The extension of co-decision to agriculture, proposed in the constitutional treaty, might make reform more likely. (more information)

CFSP - Common Foreign and Security Policy - at present, the decisions are made by ministers from national governments, and executed by the High Level Representative. This is the subject matter of the second pillar. The constitutional treaty includes provisions, including a European foreign minister, that would make European foreign policy more effective. (more information)

Chair of the European Council - a new post proposed by the constitutional treaty that would replace the rotating presidency. Sometimes referred to as the President of the European Council, the Chair would be nominated by the heads of state and government to serve for a 2½ year term and would probably compete with the President of the Commission for influence. (more information)

Charter of Fundamental Rights - a document that sets out the rights of citizens within the EU. The constitutional treaty would turn it from a simple declaration into a part of European law, binding on the EU institutions but not the member states. (more information)

citizens - the people within the EU. The status of European Union citizens was first introduced in the Maastricht Treaty. The European Union is increasingly focused on the needs of citizens rather than just of national governments.

civic nationalism - the idea that the borders of member states within the existing European Union can or should be redrawn, possibly creating new ones (e.g. in Scotland and Wales). Not to be confused with ethnic nationalism.

co-decision - the idea that the European Parliament has equal power with the Council of Ministers to take decisions. It applies in a growing number of areas of decision-making, but often the Council still has more power. The constitutional treaty would extend co-decision substantially. (more information)

cohesion - the idea that the poorer regions of the European Union should be given assistance in improving their economies, to help them catch up with the richer parts of the EU.

comitology - a name given to committees composed of Commission officials and civil servants from the national governments, which decide the technical details of European Union legislation once the broad framework has been agreed by the Council of Ministers. These committees exercise considerable power and are sometimes accused of being unaccountable. (more information)

Committee of the Regions - a body of the European Union which represents regional and local government and which is consulted on legislation. (more information)

common market - a shorthand and old-fashioned way of referring to the EEC.

Community method - the means of taking most decisions in the EU: the Commission proposes; the Council and the European Parliament jointly decide. Federalists argue that this should be used for all legislation and the budget. (more information)

competences - a way of describing the powers of the European Union institutions . They are defined by the European treaties. A constitution would put them into a clear and simple list.

concentric circles - the idea that some member states might be involved in more policy areas - and have more influence - than others. This is normally proposed as a permanent arrangement.

constitution - the idea that a combination of different treaties does not provide the citizens with a clear statement of how the European Union works: a single short document would be better. A treaty that might lead to a constitution was agreed by the IGC in June 2004, but its ratification has effectively been suspended after two referendum defeats. The period of reflection is an opportunity to consider what to do next. (more information)

constitutional treaty - a text that was proposed by the Convention on the Future of Europe and agreed by the IGC, which would have established a constitution for the European Union. It was rejected by referendums in France and the Netherlands in May and June 2005, and its ratification is currently effectively halted. The period of reflection is intended to allow time to consider what to do next. (more information)

Convention on the Future of Europe - a body composed of representatives of the European Parliament and national governments and national parliaments from both member states and applicant states, which was set up by the Laeken summit to consider a series of reforms to the European Union. Most of its proposals have been included in the text of the constitutional treaty that was agreed by the IGC. (more information)

convergence criteria - the rules laid down by the Maastricht Treaty which set out which countries can join EMU. In brief, these are countries with low inflation and low public borrowing. (more information)

Copenhagen criteria - the conditions that applicant states must meet to take part in the enlargement process. They include a democratic government, a working market economy, acceptance of the acquis communautaire, and acceptance of the goal of political union. (more information)

Council of Europe - separate from the EU, it is based in Strasbourg, France, and deals with issues such as human rights and youth policy. It is strictly intergovernmental. (more information)

Council of Ministers - the main decision-making body in the EU. Sometimes it uses qualified majority voting, sometimes it votes by unanimity; this depends on the issue. It normally meets in secret rather than in public. It is properly called just the "Council". (more information)

Court of Auditors - one of the European Union institutions that scrutinises and controls how the European Union budget is spent. (more information)