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

M

Maastricht treaty - agreed at the end of 1991, this transformed the European Community into the European Union as we know it today. (more information)

member states - the European Union now has twenty-five of them - originally there were only six. (more information)

Monnet method - the way the European Union institutions have developed by stages: Jean Monnet described each stage as making "a breach in the ramparts of national sovereignty which will be narrow enough to secure consent, but deep enough to open the way towards the unity that is essential to peace." (more information)

Mr/Mrs CFSP - a shorthand way of referring to the High Level Representative for foreign policy.

multi-speed Europe - the idea that future institutional or policy developments in the European Union might not involve all member states at the outset. Unlike the idea of variable geometry, the implication is that any opt-outs will turn out to be temporary rather than permanent.