 approxi- twice a year the heads of states convene in what is known as the mately the same size as that of the USA, 70% of this is concentrated European Council. in the UK, France, Germany and Italy. The growth rate between The European Parliament (EP), consisting of five hundred and countries is also uneven. For example, the Nordic countries have a eighteen Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), which very high concentration of telecommunication equipment and the are directly elected by the citizens of the Member States, the market is therefore reaching saturation with a low growth rate. number of representatives from each country varying according Many of the current policies within the EC on telecommunication- to its size. The MEPs belong to European political groupings S were outlined in the June 1987 Green Paper on 'The Development and sit accordingly in the Parliament, which meets in Stras- of the Common Market for Telecommunications Services and bourg. The Parliament has a consultative and advisory role, Equipment.' The principal aims of the EC's policies are (Cordaro, rather than a legislative one. It makes recommendations to the 1991): Council of Ministers. 4. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) consists of thirteen judges Creation of a pan-European market for equipment by ensuring and sits in Luxembourg. It hears cases which are concerned harmonised standards and approval procedures. This was fur- with the implementation and interpretation of Community law. ther strengthened by the Terminals Equipment Directive of Rulings made by the ECJ are binding on members and take May 1988 which opened the terminal equipment market to precedence over national courts. competition, and included proposals for fair type approval. It The Economic and Social Committee (ESC), which is an advi- required Member States to set up organisations, which were sory body of 156 members, consisting of representatives of independent from their PTT, to specify and carry out type employers, trade unions and consumers. It provides o