ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION It is very important to develop a good understanding of the functions, powers and relationships between the main institutions of the European Union. This requires knowledge of four key institutions, which have their origin in the first Community, the European Coal and Steel Community, established in 1952 with a fixed life of fifty years. Although there have been some changes since then, the basic principles have remained the same. The Treaty of Lisbon came into force on 1 December 2009 and this is the latest example of changes made to the institutions and the numbering of the articles relating to the institutions. With regard to the Treaty of Lisbon you should remember that there are in fact two Treaties under that one umbrella: Treaty on European Union (TEU) and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).
