Other EU Common Policies

Common foreign and security policy and justice and home affairs policy are dealt with in the sections on decision-making under pillars two and three.

The EU participates in a range of other policy areas, ostensibly supporting the single market and other economic and social objectives, including environmental protection, health, consumer rights, transport, education, culture and energy. However, the EU's activism frequently goes beyond matters directly related to the economic or social narrowly conceived of – occasionally generating political controversy.

The EU in recent years has been particularly active in promoting environmental protection.