The European Commission

1. The European Commission’s role.
The European Union today faces global responsibilities and challenges. The EU is the largest trading block in the world, the largest donor of humanitarian and development assistance and a constant point of reference for others on stability, democracy and human rights. The European Commission plays a key role in the implementation of the EU's foreign and other policies and in this it relies heavily on its over 120 Delegations and Offices around the World, which act not only as the eyes and ears of the Commission in their host countries but also as its mouthpiece vis-à-vis the authorities and the general population. [5.]
The Commission originated in the High Authority of the European Coal and Steel Community, which was established in 1951 under the terms of the Treaty Establishing the European Coal and Steel Community. In 1958 two further bodies were established under the terms of the Treaties of Rome. These were the Commission of the European Economic Community and the Commission of the European Atomic Energy Community. Finally, in 1967, these three bodies merged to form the Commission of the European Communities, established under the terms of the Merger Treaty. This is the body that continues to exist to this day. [6.]

…