European Union Candidate Status: The European Parliament recently approved the EU candidacy status for Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia in a convincing vote.

Key Points:

• This was announced by European Council President Charles Michel after discussions among leaders of the EU's 27 member states.
• A total of 529 votes were cast for the resolution to defer the status of the three countries, while 45 voted against the proposal.
• Another 14 politicians abstained.
• The European Parliament also approved EU candidacy for Georgia.
• In order to join the 27-member EU bloc, the three countries will be required to carry out a series of political and economic reforms.
• The European Council, which comprises the heads of all 27 EU governments, would have the final vote on Ukraine’s membership.
• The vote must be unanimous.
• However, according to diplomats, the process could take a decade to complete. 
• The vote came as the U.S. said, it was sending 450 million dollars more in military aid to Ukraine, including some additional medium-range rocket systems.

About European Council (EC):

• EC is an executive body of the EU, responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the EU treaties and managing the day-to-day business of the EU.
• The EU is a group of 27 countries that operate as a cohesive economic and political block.
• The Commission is divided into departments known as Directorates-General (DGs) that can be likened to departments or ministries headed by a director-general who is responsible to a commissioner.

Structure:

• It operates as a cabinet government, with 28 members of the Commission.
• There is one member per member state. These members are proposed by member countries and European Parliament gives final approval to them.
• One of the 28 members is the Commission President proposed by the European Council and elected by the European Parliament.