This book is very much to be welcomed as a first - a first in the sense of providing a real nuts and bolts approach to how the EU legislative process functions. (Diana Wallis MEP, Vice-President of the European Parliament). The book is designed to provide a comprehensive foundation text for students, libraries and practitioners alike and is up-to-date with the range of key changes introduced under the Treaty of Lisbon. Written by a team including public affairs professionals, led by Alan Hardacre of the European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA) in Maastricht, the book is packed with easy-to-follow figures and diagrams. The Lisbon Treaty created new actors in the institutional landscape, the permanent President of the European Council, the European External Action Service, and strengthened the role of other players, notably the European Parliament as well as national parliaments ...This book comes thus at a very timely moment...A very insightful tool for citizens, political and private actorsA . MaroA' Aeefeovie - Vice-President of the European Commission Recommended for...Academic courses on EU institutions and decision-making Libraries fielding queries on how the EU works Officials of the EU institutions needing a comprehensive ready reference EU public affairs professionals Law firms in the EU arena NGOs and citizen groups that need to deal with the EU institutions National and regional governments involved in influencing and implementing EU legislation Candidates for EPSO exams wanting to improve their knowledge for assessment and interviews