Explainers

To help break the glass ceiling, the EU has adopted new rules to improve gender balance among the directors of listed companies.

The EU has made significant advances in gender equality through legislation, empowerment initiatives, and increased participation in the workforce.

Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine caused severe spikes in energy prices across the EU in 2022. To avoid price shocks in the future, the EU reshaped its electricity market in 2024.

The EU has in place a number of measures to ensure a fair and equitable trade with third countries.

Find out which countries supply the most gas to the EU and how much gas the EU imports.

The EU has imposed extensive sanctions against Belarus in response to human rights abuses, Belarus' support for Russia's war against Ukraine, and its hybrid attacks against the EU.

The European Semester is a framework for the coordination of economic, budgetary, employment and social policies within the European Union.

The EU has developed corporate sustainability policies for businesses, with the aim of enhancing protection for the environment and human rights in the EU and beyond.

The European Union is based on international treaties agreed by all EU countries. Over time, these treaties have progressively defined the roles and responsibilities of the Council of the EU and the European Council.

The EU’s rules on anti money laundering and countering terrorist financing protect its financial system and contribute to security and growth.