UPSC Prelims 2010 Q132: Current Affairs – International Organisations & Groupings

UPSC Prelims 2010, General Studies Paper I · Current Affairs

In the context of bilateral trade negotiations between India and European Union, what is the difference between European Commission and European Council ? 1. European Commission represents the EU in trade negotiations whereas European Council participates in the legislation of matters pertaining to economic policies of the European Union. 2. European Commission comprises the Heads of State or government of member countries whereas the European Council comprises of the persons nominated by European Parliament. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (a) 1 only

Explanation

European Commission vs European Council: checking two statements

These two EU institutions have distinct roles and compositions, often confused.

Statement	Verdict	Reason
1. Commission represents EU in trade talks; Council deals with economic-policy legislation	Correct	The European Commission indeed handles trade negotiations on the EU's behalf, while the European Council sets broader political/economic policy direction
2. Commission comprises Heads of State/Government; Council comprises persons nominated by Parliament	Incorrect	This reverses the actual composition: the European Council is made up of Heads of State or Government, while the European Commission's members go through a different nomination process (not primarily 'nominated by Parliament')

European Commission vs European Council:

Institution	Role	Composition
European Commission	Trade negotiation, policy execution	Commissioners (not Heads of State)
European Council	Political/economic direction-setting	Heads of State or Government

Answer: (a) 1 only.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) CORRECT. The trade-negotiation vs policy-direction role distinction (statement 1) is accurate; statement 2 reverses the actual composition of the two bodies.
(b) Incorrect. Statement 2 reverses the actual composition of the Commission and Council, so '2 only' is wrong.
(c) Incorrect. Statement 2 is inaccurate, so 'both' cannot be correct.
(d) Incorrect. Statement 1 is accurate, so 'neither' is wrong.

Key point

The European Commission represents the EU in trade negotiations, while the European Council shapes broader economic policy direction — statement 1 is correct. But it is the Council (not Commission) that comprises Heads of State/Government, reversing statement 2's claim.

Remember

European Commission handles trade negotiations; European Council (not Commission) comprises Heads of State/Government — statement 2's composition claim is reversed.

Common mistakes

Confusing the European Commission's trade/execution role with the European Council's political direction-setting role.
Reversing which body comprises Heads of State or Government — that's the Council, not the Commission.
Not knowing the distinct nomination/composition processes for these two EU institutions.

Exam tip

European Council = Heads of State/Government, sets direction. European Commission = executes policy, negotiates trade. Don't swap these two institutions' compositions.

Sources

Treaty on European Union (Maastricht Treaty), Articles 13 to 15 (the institutions: the European Council and the Council)
Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Article 207 (common commercial policy)

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