Thoroughly updated, this edition provides extensive information on all matters relating to the European Union and full coverage of the expansion of the EU under the Nice Treaty. The volume contains: * an A-Z section contains concise definitions and explanations of organizations, acronyms and terms, and articles on each member state * a series of introductory articles provide an overall view of the policies and activities of the EU * a statistical section covers: population, employment, agriculture, energy and mining, industry, finance, trade, transport and communications, tourism, health and welfare, environment, and education across the EU * an extensive directory of key names, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, email and internet addresses of all major European Union institutions and their official bodies * details of MEPs - their political groups and national parties, members of major committees, Directorates-General, EU-level bodies, interest and lobbying groups and professional associations.