European Commission

The European Commission is the executive branch of the European Union, based in Brussels and organized into a college of Commissioners supported by directorates-general. It holds the EU's right of legislative initiative and enforces EU law as guardian of the treaties. In the area of security, the Commission proposes legislation and coordinates EU action on internal security, counter-terrorism cooperation, cybersecurity, border management, and crisis response, and it supports related EU agencies and funding programs. It also contributes to coordination on defense-industrial and dual-use matters within the limits of the treaties. Security and defense remain largely the responsibility of member states, with foreign and security policy handled through separate intergovernmental structures, so the Commission proposes, coordinates, and funds rather than directing national security forces.