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Source: http://europa.eu.int/scadplus/leg/en/cig/g4000.htm

Majority voting: Voto a maggioranza.
Simple majority voting in the Council of Ministers, confined to minor issues, usually of a procedural nature.

MEPs (Members of the European Parliament): Parlamentare Europeo.
Representatives in the European Parliament (EP), elected for fixed five-year terms, and sitting in the EP as members of cross-national party groups, not by national delegations or party affiliations.

Merger policy: Politica delle incorporazioni.
The ability of the Commission to consider and approve in advance any proposed cross-national mergers between enterprises with more than a specified level of turnover.

Monetary policy: Politica monetaria.
It is fundamental to economic and monetary union (EMU). Decision-making procedures vary according to the topics in hand.

"Multi-speed" Europe: Europa "a più velocità".
It is the term used to describe the idea of a method of differentiated integration whereby common objectives are pursued by a group of Member States both able and willing to advance, it being implied that the others will follow later.

Non-discrimination principle: Principio di non discriminazione.
The aim of this principle is to ensure equality of treatment for individuals irrespective of nationality, sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.

Ombudsman: Mediatore Europeo.
The European Ombudsman is appointed by the European Parliament after each election for the duration of Parliament's term of office. He is empowered to receive complaints from any citizen of the Union or any natural or legal person residing in a Member State concerning instances of bad administration in the activities of the Community institutions or bodies within three months. He submits a report to the European Parliament at the end of each annual session.

Opting out: Clausola di esenzione.
It is an exemption granted to a country that does not wish to join the other Member States in a particular area of Community co-operation as a way of avoiding a general stalemate. The United Kingdom, for instance, asked to be allowed not to take part in the third stage of economic and monetary union (EMU) and similar clauses were agreed with Denmark as regards EMU, defence and European citizenship.

Own resources: Risorse proprie.
They are the tax revenue allocated to the European Union to finance its expenditure, which must not exceed the current ceiling of 1.27% of Community GNP (Gross National Product). Originally, the Community budget depended on the Member States' financial contributions. However, a decision was adopted on 21 April 1970 giving it financial autonomy, and since 1 January 1978, the Community budget has been entirely financed by own resources. These are currently made up of four elements: agricultural duties, customs duties; the VAT resource: this comes from the application of a flat rate to the VAT base of each Member State; the 'fourth resource' is a so-called additional resource, because it is set according to the other three sources of budget revenue. It is based on GNP and the application of a rate to the total GNP of all the Member States.

Parliamentary committees: Commissioni parlamentari.
Various committees have been set up within the European Parliament to organise its work. The members of each committee are elected at the beginning of and half-way through each parliamentary term, according to their political affiliation and their expertise.

Petitions: Petizioni.
The right of petition is the right which every citizen of the European Union enjoys, individually or in association with other citizens, to submit a request to the European Parliament or to table a grievance before it on any subject which falls within the spheres of activity of the Community and concerns him or her directly.

Pillars of the European Union: Pilastri dell'Unione Europea.
These are: the Community dimension, i.e. Union citizenship, Community policies, Economic and Monetary Union, etc. (first pillar); the common foreign and security policy (second pillar); police and judicial co-operation in criminal matters (third pillar). The Treaty of Amsterdam has transferred some of the fields covered by the old third pillar to the first pillar (free movement of persons).

Policy: Politica.
The whole proposals, initiatives and legislation intended to achieve EC aims in specific fields of activity.

Political agenda of the European Union: Programma politico dell'Unione Europea.
In practical terms this means: adjusting the Treaty on European Union; making the transition to a single currency in line with the agreed timetable and conditions; repairing for and carrying out the enlargement negotiations; adopting the financial perspective for the period beyond 31 December 1999; contributing to establishing the new European security architecture; actively continuing the policy of dialogue, co-operation and association already under way with the Union's neighbouring countries.

Political Committee: Comitato politico.
It consists of political directors from the Member States' foreign ministries. It monitors the international situation in fields covered by the common foreign and security policy and helps determine policy by issuing opinions for the Council. It also supervises the implementation of agreed policies, without prejudice to the powers of the presidency and the Commission.

Preamble: Preambolo.
The opening sentences of a EC treaty, which outlines the aims and main themes of the treaty.

Presidency of the Union: Presidenza dell'Unione.
It is held in turn on a six-monthly basis by each Member State. A stint in the Presidency is a duty and a contribution that each Member State makes to the proper functioning of the Community institutions. At present, a Member State holds the Presidency every seven and a half years.

President of the European Commission: Presidente della Commissione Europea.
The Treaty of Amsterdam strengthens the role and position of the Commission President. The governments of the Member States designate the person they intend to appoint as President by common accord -- a choice which then has to be approved by the European Parliament. The governments then designate the persons they intend to appoint as Members of the Commission, in agreement with the new President. The President lays down the broad policy lines to be followed by the Commission in its work. He also decides on the allocation of portfolios among the Commissioners.

Product Liability: Responsabilità del prodotto.
Controlled by a 1988 directive imposing strong conditions on manufacturers for defects in their products which cause damage to purchasers and consumers.

Production Quotas: Quote di produzione.
Limited imposed by the Commission on national and enterprise coal and steel production.

Protocol: Protocollo.
An additional element of a EU treaty, providing details on the implementation of treaty requirements, or those which are too lengthy for inclusion in the treaty proper.

Provision: Misura.
The objectives and contents of a EU treaty.

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