Summary

Both lawyers and ordinary citizens often have problems in understanding issues related to the European Union due to an inconsistent use of terminology. The author explains the main concepts related to the European Union focusing primarily on the terms which often are misused. For example, the author explains why it is necessary to make a distinction between the European Union, the European Community and the European Communities, as well as between European Union law and European Community law. Also, the author analyses the meaning of the three pillars of the European Union helping the reader to better understand the division of competencies in the European Union. Further, the author points out the names and locations of the institutions of the European Union which have caused confusion, particularly in translation. The author criticises the re-numeration of articles of the treaties as a result of the Amsterdam intergovernmental conference, which in her opinion has further added to the confusion.