The European Union is a unique economic and political partnership among 27 European countries that has delivered half a century of peace, stability, and prosperity, helped raise living standards, launched a single European currency (the euro), and is progressively building a single Europe-wide market in which people, goods, services, and capital circulate freely.

For further information, please refer to How the EU Works and the links to the 27 EU Member States and five candidates for EU membership.

The EU is not the Council of Europe, nor is it NATO, or the United Nations. The United States is not, nor will be a member country of the EU. Only European states are eligible to become members of the European Union.

Like the United States, the EU has several branches of government—institutions—that balance one another. Unlike the United States, a number of these institutions are headed by presidents. Among the most prominent institutions are the European Commission, the executive branch, headed by President José Manuel Barroso, the European Council, which sets the political agenda and is headed by President Herman Van Rompuy, and the European Parliament, led by President Jerzy Buzek.

The rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU helps drive the political and legislative agenda and is shared among Member States according to a pre-determined roster.

The Delegation represents the European Union in its dealings with the U.S. government for all matters falling within EU jurisdiction. It presents and explains EU policy to the U.S. Administration and to Congress; analyzes and reports on the political, social, and economic situation in the U.S. to its headquarters in Brussels; and acts as a liaison with other international institutions in Washington, D.C.

Through its engagement with political actors, the media, academia, business circles, and civil society, the EU Delegation raises awareness of EU issues and concerns, and promotes the importance of the EU-U.S. relationship among the broader American public.

The Delegation functions like an embassy, although it does not provide consular services or engage in military liaison functions. (For more information on consular services for EU citizens visit EU Consular Protection Website.)

For further information, see Washington Delegation Staff.

The Delegation itself is not in a position to handle claims for human rights violations, but offers an overview of the EU position and how to proceed. EU citizens can contact their own Member State or appeal to the Council of Europe's European Court of Human Rights.

Ambassador João Vale de Almeida is the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United States. In this capacity, he represents European Commission President José Manuel Barroso and President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy, under the authority of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton.

When vacancies occur in "local" (non-diplomat) positions in the Delegation, job openings are posted on the website.

EU citizens seeking to work for the European Union's institutions should begin with the European Personnel Selection Office. Further job information is accessible through the Europa website.

Yes, the Delegation offers college students and recent graduates a unique opportunity to work in one of the EU's largest and most active diplomatic missions. The unpaid internships enable participants to develop a comprehensive understanding of the complex EU-U.S. relationship, while they hone important skills in the field of international relations. The various types of internships and the application process are described on our website.

Tours of the Delegation are not offered; however, groups may request a briefing in the Delegation's press room by contacting the Press and Public Diplomacy section at delegation-usa-info@eeas.europa.eu

Requests for Delegation speakers/briefings should be submitted through the Press and Public Diplomacy Help Desk at delegation-usa-info@eeas.europa.eu. Please include your name; your organization; your contact information; the number of people in the group; the desired date and time as well as alternates; and topic(s) of interest.

EU-wide cultural events are featured on our cultural page. Annual events include the EU Open House, Euro Night, the Euro Kids Fest, and the American Film Institute-EU Film Showcase.

Visits to the various EU institutions in Europe can be arranged for groups by contacting each institution individually: http://europa.eu/take-part/visit/index_en.htm

The Delegation website offers a comprehensive overview of all major policy areas in which the EU is active. In addition, EU websites contain a wealth of information on EU policies, how they work, and what they mean. Your first step should be to consult Policy Areas on the Delegation website as well as the Overview of EU Policies on the Brussels-based Europa website.

If you still have questions, please contact the Delegation's Help Desk at delegation-usa-info@eeas.europa.eu. The Help Desk is not in a position to "interpret" EU policies, but can help direct the public to additional resources.

The EU has its own diplomatic service, akin to the U.S. Foreign Service. It is called the European External Action Service, and information about the EU's relations with various countries can be accessed through the its website. You may also wish to consult the website of the Council of the EU.

Links to publications and documents can be found through the Europa website.

The Delegation's website includes a section on education with a particular focus on transatlantic aspects and opportunities.

Additional detailed information on study in Europe and scholarships is also available on the Europa website.

Check the Delegation website's section on Travel in Europe for links to Member State tourist organizations, information on visas, and the Schengen border-free travel area.

No. While the EU has established common rules on visas, visas must be obtained through the embassies or consulates of the individual Member States.

EU citizens do not need visas to travel throughout the 27 EU member countries. United States citizens do not need visas for short stays of up to 3 months in the 27 EU countries. EU law defines visa requirements by country of citizenship.

For those requiring visas, the borderless Schengen area simplifies the application process.

You can subscribe for free to the Washington Delegation's publications and e-newsletters. You may also obtain single or multiple copies of publications issued by the Washington Delegation.

The Delegation can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and YouTube.

In addition, the Brussels-based EU Media Center offers information available on a one-time or free subscription basis. EU headquarters in Brussels presents a comprehensive selection of multimedia, including photos and videos, through its audiovisual services website.

Details on contracts and grants may be found in our section on funding opportunities. You should be aware that EU funding—of contracts or grants—is governed by strict procedural and accountability standards with which applicants must comply completely.

Take a look at the Europa website's many links related to doing business in the EU.