The European Commission is the EU’s main executive body. It proposes new legislation and policies, oversees their implementation and ensures that EU law is correctly applied across the Member States. It also helps to shape the EU’s overall strategy, implements the EU’s budget and negotiates international agreements on behalf of the European Union.
The Commission is made up of 27 Members, one from each Member State, including its President. Together they form the College of Commissioners. The President is proposed by the European Council, taking into account the results of the European Parliament elections, and is elected by the Parliament for a renewable five-year term. The other Commissioners are then approved as a body by the Parliament, and the full College is appointed by the European Council.
The Commission is organised into policy departments, known as Directorates-General, service departments and executive agencies. Four policy departments are particularly relevant to international cooperation: Justice and Consumers (DG JUST), Migration and Home Affairs (DG HOME), Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood (DG ENEST) and Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf (DG MENA).
DG JUST promotes social justice by upholding the rule of law and protecting individual rights and freedoms. Its mission is to contribute to a fair, safe and just society across the European Union. In the area of justice, DG JUST works to strengthen judicial cooperation between Member States and to support the effective application of EU law, including through initiatives aimed at improving access to justice and mutual trust between national justice systems.
DG HOME is responsible for internal security, migration and border management. It works closely with EU Member States and agencies, international organisations and other stakeholders to develop and implement effective policies at EU level. In the area of internal security, DG HOME contributes to strengthening cooperation between Member States and addressing cross-border crime and other security threats, including through measures aimed at enhancing judicial and law enforcement cooperation across the EU.
DG ENEST leads the EU’s Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood policies. It supports countries with a perspective of EU membership in meeting the criteria for accession.
DG MENA serves as the Commission’s entry point for relations with countries in the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf region. It works to develop strong partnerships with these countries.