EU

i. The European Council- Heads of States level

- Comprises: - the Heads of State of Government of the 27 member states (the Presidents, PMs and Chancellors) - Other Council members include: - the President of the Commission and Ministers of Foreign Affairs - Meeting: about- 4 times a year- in Brussels Role: 1. provides political direction of the EU 2. sets the agenda for EU 3. sorts out most divisive/sensitive issues - decisions are agreed upon through unanimity rule

The Case of EU: Its Formation

- Has a regional office across Europe: - Luxemburg, Frankfurt etc. - EU is an economic and a political Union of 27 sovereign member states - It has experienced greater integration, which has uniquely gone beyond a regional organization to produce a new form of regional governance

ii. The Council of the EU- Ministers level 2. the Council of the European Union- The Council (Ministers)

- It's the principal decision making body of the EU - Its headed by a President rotational every 6 months - Composition: - Ministers representing the 27 members - Not one minister but ministers in charge of various sectors - Thus if the policy topic deals with trade-the trade ministers of each country fly to Brussels for the meeting - sometimes 2 or more Ministers per country take part

Objective of the EUs

- an ever closer union of European states - Harmonious and balanced development of economic activities across Europe - High level of employment and social protection - Raising standards of living an quality of life - Economic and social cohesion and solidarity among member states - Strengthen competitiveness of EU industries

Criticisms

- has become too involved in the day to day lives of its citizens For example: - EU has several rules and regulations that deal with detailed issues of daily life

iii. The European Commission

- the commission is the EU's bureaucracy or the executive arm - Composition - 27 Commissioners and EU permanent employees (about 18,000) - the Commission consists of dozens of departments et. - Agriculture, Fisheries, Security, Immigration, Trade, Competition, Environment etc. - Responsibility 1. initiate, prepare and over-see/enforce the implementation of EU polices, laws and budget 2. Propose new laws for consideration by the European Parliament and Council 3. it has powers to make its own decisions in certain areas - the decision of the commission are reached by majority vote - the commission is assisted by several Advisory committees

EU Membership

-Original members were only 6: - France, West Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy and Luxemburg - current membership stands at 27 - membership is open to any European state as long as it respects the principles of: - free-markets, democracy, human rights, fundamental freedoms, rule of law etc. For admission: - a country has to submit an application for admission to the European Council - The Council decides on applications by: unanimous vote - EU Parliament has to approve all admissions - Membership has been gradual

EU- formulated policies:

1. Creation of a common currency the Euro, Individual country currencies (French Francs, deutch marks, Guilders etc) 2. trade liberalization to allow free flow of goods and services. The Euro zone is now a free trade area 3. Stopped EU members states from imposing new custom duties or increasing those already in force 4. led to elimination of quantitative restrictions on imports among the member states 5. Follow a common foreign affairs policy especially in most pressing international matter (see crises in: Syrian, Libya, Yemen; policy on Iran and North Korea nuclear development, etc.)

The Council of the EU Ministers level- Powers/Responsibilities

1. coordinates the general economic policies of the member states 2. has powers to take decisions 3. Can require the EU Commission to carry out inquiries and put forward proposals aimed at achieving the EU objectives 4. draws up the terms of reference of the committees - council decisions are reached by simple majority or by unanimous vote (consensus) - votes are not equal- they are weighted based on each countries population and partly on economic strength - Proposals by the Council are submitted to the European Council (Heads of State) and the European Parliament - Once the European Parliament passes by majority, the Council adopts the proposal or acts as per Parliament views

v. The European Court of Justice: Powers and Functions

1. ensure that the law is followed in the interpretation and application of the EU treaties 2. mediates over conflicts whether economic, political, trade, etc. 3. reviews the legality of Acts adopted by Parliament, the council and commission

iv. The European Parliament: Its Role and Powers

1. the EU parliament is a legislative body 2. approves the EU budget 3. exercises democratic controls over all the EU institutions 4. participates in the policy/legislative process leading up to the adoption of Community Acts 5. has powers to set up a committee of inquiry to investigate EU bodies 6. debates the Commission's annual report in open sessions 8. can force the entire Commission to resign through a vote of no confidence 9. it approves or advises on most proposals made by the Commission to the EU council - Any citizen of the EU has the right to address a petition to the EU parliam

The European Union has several institutions including:

1. the European Council (Heads of States) 2. the Council of the European Union- The Council (Ministers) 3. the European Parliament - (Legislature) 4. the European Commission- (Bureaucracy)