PUBLIC POLICY

Definitions:
-

Actions of the government.

They address problems that are public.
Whatever governments choose to do or not to do.
Political decisions for implementing programs to achieve societal goals.
The sum of government activities, whether acting directly or through agents as it has an
influence on the life of citizens.

Carl Friedrich 1963.

-

A proposal cause of action of a person, group or government within a given environment

providing obstacle and opportunities, which the policy was propose to utilize and overcome
in an effort to reach a goal or relies an objective or purpose.

James Anderson.
-

A purposive cause of action followed by an actor or a set of actors in dealing with a problem
or matter of concern.

Features of P.P.
-

An action that is undertaken for a particular purpose.

It is a course of actions rather than a separate discrete decision.
It is what the government actually does rather than what it intends to do.
It may either be positive (actions) or negative (inactions).
Based on law and administrative decisions.

Inactions - occasions when governments deliberately do nothing with clear goals in mind. ( to get
more evidence and support). They are conscious decisions not to act on a problem.

Attributes of P.P.
Policy is made:
-

In response to a problem that requires attention.

O the pu li s ehalf.
By governments.

Policy is oriented towards a goal solution of a problem. Interpreted and implemented by public
and private actors.

Arguments for importance:

-

Whether something is a solvable problem.

What the potential solutions are.
What the costs of those solutions are.
Whether the solutions will be wholly or likely-partially effective.
Public policy is related t public interest it affects all of us in some ways.

Key Concepts:
-

Action under the authority.

A reaction - to so ietys pro le s.
Purpose oriented.
The cause of action (an integrative approach).
A decision to do/not to do something.
A justification of an action.
A taken decision.

Typologies of P.P
-

According to formal or institutional criteria.

National policies, local policies and intergovernmental policies.
According to citizens groups to whom they are addressed to.

Parameter - Coercion nature that P.P induces between state and recipients in question.
This coercion is exercised directly on binding on the citizen or indirectly/casually (warning by police).
This coercion affects those to whom it is directed , modify their behavior, limit their authority (an
increase income tax) > exercised on the environment in which they live .
Based on Coercion
I.

Regulatory Policy a public action that imposes the implementation of norms and limits
which affect the behavior of whom it is addressed to.

These policies are split in:

1. Competitive Policies they suppose that policies would limit the delivery of goods and
services (radio and tv. Licenses) on the access to a profession.
2. Protective regulatory policies
II.
III.

Distributive Policies - an action through which public power authorizes special cases
(construction permits).
Redistributive Policies consists in establishing some criteria which confer access to some
advantages (social insurances).

IV.

Constitutive Policies the public action defines the rules regarding power (constitution or
institutional reforms) which affect us indirectly or weakly.

Policy Making

An analytic process (solving a problem) seeking solutions (costs).

Steps:
-

Define the problem correctly

Identifying and analyzing the solution
Choosing the best alternative that better solves the problem.

A politic process : involves conflicts, a battle to control the decision making.

Reasons for policy implementation:
-

Policy making is a problem solving phenomenon.

Government formulates policies in order to accelerate economic development.
In order to make for the continuity in the public administration.
In the interest of the public rather than the government.
In order to render administration easy.
For their own selfish ends.

Policy Implementation:
-

Activities that must be taken to carry out an intention from its conception to its
realization.
Putting the goals set forth in a policy decision into practice.
All activities that must be undertaken on the course of action to be follwed in order
to realize the intended objectives of a given policy.

3 elements in the implementation of a policy:

-

A decision is to be made concerning the organizational structure.

Policy goals to be translated into specific rules and regulations.
Resources to be allocated and rules must be applied to the specific problems.

Analyzing and evaluation:

-

The policy analysis essence is the improvement of policy making through the use of
systematic knowledge, structural rationality, organized creativity.

3 major alternative of grounds against which a given policy can be evaluated:

-

Against the promises of such policy.

Against the best known alternatives.
The absence of a policy.

Criteria of policy analysis:

-

Efficiency (relationship between the costs and benefits) reach the goal with less
Effectiveness the extent to which a policy meets the goals
Equity who gains who loses
Adequacy
Feasibility possibility
Appropriateness, net benefits, compliance, equality, freedom.

Policy Analysis:
-

Policy inputs (resources we put in) : resources, demands, support, opposition.

Policy outputs (activities performed by the government) ex. Good road building
150 Km of road is the output. > good and services delivered.
Policy Impact result

Reasons to study P.P

-

Theoretical reasons/scientific reason know more about the process

Practical reasons/political reasons how to promote.

Determinants of Public Policy

Determinants of P.P are made by administrative subsystems (made up by actors who deal with a
public problem).
Policy Makers a known group of decision-makers which intentionally determine the cause of an
action with a specific purpose.
Individuals or groups.

Actors of P.P are divided into 5. According to Howlett and Ramesh.

Elected officials members of executive/legislative
Named officials functionaries
Interest groups
Research groups
Mass media > all three belong to the society

Their role in P.P cycle is different.

Role of the Actors:
1. Executive (government) the most relevant role (intervenes in all phases of P.P.C like
elaboration, implementation, evaluation). Its power depends according to the political
regime.
2. Legislative secondary role usually does not initiate proposals of policies, although it is not
forbidden to do so. It approves of the bills before the executive. Adds amendments (power
depends on the political regime).
3. Named officials important role because they offer expertise.
4. Interest groups the main mean of public opinion representative. Expertise, information,
financial resources. Can be part of different committees or commissions.
5. Research groups independent groups involved in research trying to influence the P.P
6. Mass media- influence the P.P
Actors in Policy Implementation - can be sorted by:
-

The general public

Cause groups, media, academic experts
Parliament
Minister departments, official inquiries, think tanks
Prime minister and cabinets
Party groupings

Agenda:
I.

Public Agenda issues that have become highly visible and have thus become the
subject of discussion.

II.
III.

The Decision agenda includes the list of issues the government decided to deal with
(discuss)
To be on agenda individuals or groups acknowledge that a situation is problematic,
identify the problematic aspects, propose solutions, engage in activities to influence the
government to intervene, get support from groups to deal with that problem.

Actors at EU level:
-

European Council composed of heads of state and governments.

They set the high level of political direction and priorities of EU, meetings of EU. Council are chaired
by the president, a job created to facilitate cohesion, consensus and to provide continuity in the
process of formulation within the European Council.
-

The Council of Ministers composed of MS. Ministers decides on all non-legislative acts in
the EU external relations and defines the strategic priorities.

Council meetings are prepared by COREPER and consists of ambassadors of states to EU. Council
meetings are chaired by the council presidency (rotating around the EU member states).
-

The European Parliament share legislative competences with The Council.

Most legislative acts are subject to the so called co-decision procedure.

-

The Commission has the right for initiative, for legislative acts.

Oversees the MS. Compliance with policies and regulations and is responsible for managing and
implementing policies.
-

Civil Society organizations actively seek to influence policies outcomes by advocating

across the commission, the Council and the EP.
Other Actors actively engage in the dialogue between citizens and institutions on how
policies should be shaped.

Ex. Actors : EU Environmental Policy.

-

The European Council formulates goals and sets directions.

The European Commission
The Council key role in EU environmental law making, reviews legislative proposals.
The Parliament
The Court elaborates the legal basis of EU environmental policy.

Other EU Bodies:
-

The committee of Regions

The European and social committee
The European environmental agency

Non-state actors: private civil society actors

-

European business groups

Environmental organizations

Get involved in European Policy making ways of doing that:

-

European citizens initiative

Public consultations
Citizen dialogue
Petitions to the EP
Formal complaints.

POLICY CYCLE

Stages:
1. Agenda setting
2. Policy formulation a team in charge with the formulations, how can we solve the
problem?
3. Decision making
4. Policy implementation
5. Monitoring and evaluation

1. Agenda setting
The first step in the policy cycle. It is concerned with the identification of problems for
government attention. The manner and form in which problems are recognized are
important determinants of whether and how they will be addressed.
Public problems are: identified human needs which cannot be satisfied through the market.
They can be:
-

Controversial
Debatable
Contrasting values
Different priorities

Problem definition is a package of ideas that includes an account of the causes and
consequences of undesirable circumstances and a theory about how to improve them.
Agenda conflicts are not just about what issues government chooses to act on but they are
also about competing interpretations of political problems and alternative world views that
underline them.
How to approach a problem?
Latest scholars think that:
Decision making should adopt the causal pie to the problem definition. If they adopt the list
of causal pie, that means that the corresponding solutions would go further to address the
real causes of the problem.
Agenda Setting.
Problem a condition that generates needs and the government intervention.

Normal situation no government action will be initiated.

Not all problems will finally get to be solved through public policy:
-

Agenda setting selective process

Different types of agenda

Agenda setting
-

Public agenda
Institutionalized agenda
Media agenda

A public problem will get on the agenda if:

It is sufficiently significant
It has intensity (high impact)
It has durability in time.
Formulation of the agenda:
-

Not all problems will be on the agenda.

They have to be converted into political interests.
Most of the problems will be redefined

Two actions possible after defining the problem:

Refusal of setting the problem on the institutional agenda

Positive action to agree upon, and the problem will be on the institutional agenda.

In this stage we need to define correctly the problem, to have a multi-casual approach,
discussions with all the stakeholders and analysis of all data.
Why? Because a weak structural problem will end in a failure of public policy.
2. Policy formulation:
Policy formulation is an important component of public policy process, why certain policy
options are either accepted or rejected by policy makers is an important aspect of this stage.
Once a government has identified that there is an issue to address, policy formulation is the
next step regardless of how an issue comes to the government attention. Policy formulation
is the process of defining, considering, accepting or rejecting options.
The policy formulation is the process of trying to legitimize the options providing legitimate
choices and ensuring that all of the policy options that are submitted, are creditable.

In order to formulate good policy options, policy makers need a comprehensive

understanding of the problem. By formulating a clear and meaningful problem statement,
the goals of the policy are established and the objective can be determined.
The objectives are the desired end states (statements) with appropriate consideration for
the target population as well as limited time and resources.
The criteria used to measure the objectives may include administrative, political, technical,
equity and economic criteria.
Policy makers will identify policy options and will have to consider different constraints.
Effective methods in finding solutions:
-

Brainstorming
Delphi technique A questionnaire given to experts, and rounds of answers to the
questions.
Consultations
Best practices

Through all those methods a group of actors can come to a desirable solution.

3. Decision making:
Choice of a solution:
-

Ratifies the selection activity or

Denies the above process or
Modifies the details.

Confers legitimacy and authority to that choice official, irreversible.

4. Policy implementation
The success or failure of a policy can be attributed to the implementation stage.
Implementation is the stage of the policy process that describes the translation of the policy
decision into action including the effort, knowledge and resources. Implementation is more
than a technical matter of enacting a government decision, being a process that often can
carry on for years and can create opportunities for other actors (NGOs, administrations) to
influence policy outcomes.
Implementation is also critical due to its tendency to be influenced by external factors. Some
factors identified, that can be considered to contribute to implementation failure are:

Unclear policy objective

A high density of actors involved in the process
Different values and interests among the actors

Application of the chosen solution:

-

acts and effects

Instruments
Practical processes.

Factors:

Resources
Inter-institutional communicational process
Economic, social and political conditions
Characteristics of the agency in charge with the implementation.

Difficulties in implementing a policy:

-

High number of actors

Ambiguity of the initial scope
Not enough resources
Conflicts
Changes of the circumstances
Non-coordination between different public policies.

5. Monitoring and evaluation

The final step is to examine the outcome to verify that the distressful situation has been
alleviated or that the policy goals have been successfully achieved.
The evaluation is much more complex than simply asking, is the problem fixed? A sound
evaluation considered the great variety of actors and stakeholders, types of policy programs,
evaluation methods and whether the program was fully implemented.
Monitoring the results correspondence between objectives and proposed actions
Evaluation of the applied policy quantification of the results (reformulation of the initial
policy). Examines the process between (is the implementation working) and the outcomes
(have the programs made a difference? )
Means used efficiency when investigating the implementation of that policy, the
resources used for the implementation.
Results efficacy effectiveness, if the problem was solved.

Take place simultaneously with the implementation.

Evaluation is not restricted to the professional evaluation but includes the media, general
public and politicians.
Questions in investigation : which are the results? Which are the effects and impact of public
policy? (outputs vs. inputs).
Monitoring Functions :
-

Instrument for the public decision

Instrument for economic organization
Instrument of management
Of communication and legitimization of public action
Of formation and changing of policies.

Methods to elaborate public policies in EU

One policy mode or several?

Policy making in the EU is not carried out through a single and predominant process but rather
through several and different and contrasting methods or policy modes.

Not a single and predominant process

Several different contrasting policy modes

These different methods are the product of:

-

Evolution and experimentation

Changes in national policy-making process
Developments in economic and social behavior

Each method reveals differences in:

-

The role and behavior of the various key actors: Institutions in their variety of approaches
to policy dilemmas and in the diversity of instruments used.

Methods of policy making:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

The traditional Community model

The EU regulatory mode
The EU distributional mode
Policy coordination
Intensive transgovernmentalism

These methods can be found in the day-to-day policy making in the EU, they co-exist, they vary over
time and they are not stable.
The same policy domain may be addressed by more than one method or may shift between
methods.
1. The Traditional Community model
The pure community method corresponds to a system in which the Commission which represents
the general, European interest, holds monopoly of legislative initiative. The Commission makes the
proposals and the Council and the European Parliament adopt European laws by co-decision.
Additionally, the Council generally votes by qualified majority with unanimity being needed in order
to a e d the Co
issio s proposals.
The Community method guarantees the diversity and the effectiveness of the Union. It ensures the
fair treatment of all Member States, from the largest to the smallest one and it provides means to
arbitrate between different interests by passing them through two successive filters.

The general interest at the level of the Commission (it will always fight for the general
interest of the EU)
Democratic representation at the level of the Council and the Parliament.

The community method gives the Commission the task of analyzing national positions and consulting
all interested parties before identifying the general European interest.
Of course, the Commission does not have a monopoly on truth. It can get things wrong. In these
cases, it is up to the Council deciding by unanimity and the EP deciding by a majority to amend the
Commission proposals. (Common Agricultural policy)
CAP set the template for this policy mode in 1960s.
Characteristics of this method:
-

A strong role delegated to the EC in policy design, policy execution and managing the
interface with abroad .
An empowering role of the Council of Ministers
A locking-in (engrenage) of stakeholders
Limited opportunities for the EP to impinge
Periodic intrusion by the ECJ to reinforce the legal authority
The resourcing of the policy on a collective basis.

2. EU regulatory mode
A different approach to regulation in 1980s creation of the single market.
It has been applied most obviously to the development of a single market without internal barriers.
Lately the industrial policy of the EU developed through this method also the EU social policy is
constructed through juridical regulation and the EU employment policy uses regulatory instruments.
Characteristics:
-

The Commission the architect and defended of regulatory objectives and rules
The Council the forum for agreeing minimum standards to be complemented by mutual
recognition of national preferences
The ECJ 0 the means of ensuring that the rules are applied, reasonably evenly
The EP increasing impact as its legislative power have grown
Extensive opportunities for stakeholders

3. The EU distributional method

Characteristics:
-

The Commission proposer in partnership with local and regional authorities or relevant
stakeholders
The European Council making periodic bargains, agreeing to specific spending insturments
EP annual budgetary appropriations and specific instruments
Local and regional authorities policy empowerment

4. Policy Coordination
It was introduced as a mechanism of transition from nationally rooted policy-making to a collective
EU regime 1970s-1990s.

The Open Method of Coordination (OMC)

The employment policy used this method.

Characteristics:
-

The EC the developer of networks of experts

The involvement of independent experts
The use of benchmarking techniques
Dialogue with specialist committees in the EP

5. Intensive Trans-governmentalism
A weaker and much less constraining form of policy development.
Policy cooperation interaction between the relevant national policy-makers
1970s Monetary and foreign policies used this method.
Characteristics:
-

Policy entrepreneurship and active involvement of the European Council.

The predominance of the Council of Ministers
The limited role of the EC
The exclusion of the EP and ECJ from involvement
The involvement of key national policy-makers

Hellen Wallace One community method, or several policy modes? 77-90.

COMMON AGRICULTURAL POLICY

1. Why we need a common agricultural policy?

The changing role of agriculture i
basis of some facts:

er states e o o ies a

e de o strated o the

At the time of signing the European Economic Community treaty, many people in the
original 6 MSs were dependent on farming as their main source of income.
At the beginning of the community the agricultural labor force was worse than most
people in the rest of the community.
A rapid fall in both the agricultural labor force and the share of agriculture in GNP
occurred between 1955-1995 and this trend is being maintained at a slower pace.
The structure of agriculture changed significantly over time. Agriculture used to be
one of the most labor-intensive sectors in the early days but has become one of the
most capital-intensive sectors.
Agriculture in the community in the beginning was not well-integrated in the overall
economy.
The share of income spent on food has declined significantly over time.
The policy makers reacted to these changes by an ever-increasing intensity of
regulation. It started mainly with intervention on the markets and ended with the
regulation of farms by setting constraints on decisions made on farms.
The ownership in agriculture has changed. In 1957 farms were not only small but
most of the farmers owned the land that they cultivated.

Why we need CAP?

-

We need a CAP because the EU has around 500 million consumers.

We all need a reliable supply of healthy, nutritious food at an affordable price.
To ensure food security the farmers to produce the food that we need.
The EU has 12 million farmers.
Jobs in farming
Jobs in downstream operations preparing, processing, packaging food, food
storage, transport, retailing.
Environment and biodiversity
Good care and maintenance of our soils.

2. History of CAP.

1957 with the Treaty of Rome, when the basis of the European Economic Community were
put, agri ulture is foresee as a o
o poli y. I 96 it was the lau h of the EUs CAP
policy. At that time the essence of the policy was good prices for the farmers mainly. With
every passing year, farmers produce more food. The shops were full of food at affordable
prices. The first objective, food security was met.
1984 the Common Agricultural Policy falls victim of its own success. Farms became so
productive that they grew more food than needed. The surpluses are stored and lead to
food mountains . Several measures are introduced to bring production levels closer to
what the market needs.
1992 the CAP shifts from market support to producer support. Price support scaled down,
and replaced with direct aid payments to farmers. They are encouraged to be more
environmentally friendly.
2003 the CAP provides income support. A new CAP reform cuts the link between subsidies
and production. Farmers now receive an income support payment, on condition that they
look after the farmland and fulfill environmental, animal welfare and food safety standards.
2013 The CAP reformed to strengthen the competitiveness of the sector, promote
sustainable farming and innovation and support jobs and growth in rural areas.

3. Aims of CAP in the beginning: 1962

-

To improve agricultural productivity, so that consumers have a stable supply of

affordable food food security
To ensure that EU farmers fan make a reasonable living.
To stabilize markets
To assure availability of supplies
To ensure that supplies reach consumers at reasonable prices.

4. Aims of CAP nowadays:

-

Food security at the global level, food production will have to double in order to
feed a world population of 9 billion in 2050
Climate change and sustainable management of natural resources
Looking after the countryside across the EU and keeping the rural economy alive.

Common Agricultural Policy

How it works:
1. Market support
agriculture is more weather and climate dependent than many other sectors
in agriculture there is an inevitable time gap btw demand signals and the possibility for supply
responses
small changes in the amounts produced can have big effects on prices
these uncertainties justify the important role of the public sector in ensuring stability for
farmers
2. Income support
direct payments provided for the farmers with a basic income but also ensure the
provision of environmental public goods
3. Rural development
national programmes are established to address the specific needs and challenges
facing rural area
improving competitiveness of the agricultural sector
protection of environment and landscape
improving living standards in rural area and support of diversification

Pillars of CAP:
1. Principle of financial solidarity
2. Principle of preference for agricultural products - Domestic users should exhaust domestically
produced foods before relying on imports
3. Allocation of competence btw the MS and the EC- the EU continues to be in charge of market
and price policy and since Agenda 2000, partially in charge of rural development policy, whereas
MS have more freedom in conducting structural policy, although constrained by EU set rules.

Constraints on CAP policy makers

1. Foreign trade restrictions- International Trade Agreements (GATT). Restrictions obliged EU
to change domestic policies.
2. The budget constraint
3. Constraints by non-agricultural pressures groups- because governmental interference in the
markets in favor of farmers places both direct and indirect taxes on other sectors of the
economy

The funding of CAP

The budget is decided every year by the council of the EU and the European Parliament
The CAP budget for 2014-20 for all 28 MS totals 95 billion euros
European Agricultural fund for rural development (EAFRD)
40% OF EU budget

What the EU does?

1. World leader in sectors like: cereals, dairy products, meats, olive oil, wines
2. EU s la eli g a d traceability rules
3. Farmers have to adopt environmentally-sustainable farming methods
Maintain permanent grassland area
Grow minimum number of crops
Farm 5% of their arable area in a manner that promotes biodiversity
4. It promotes agricultural practices such as safeguarding the scenic value of the landscape

CAP
-helps farmers to be more productive and to improve their technical skills
-helps farmers to use eco-friendly farming techniques
-helps them produce and market the food specialties of their region
-and develop new uses for farm products in sectors like cosmetics, medicine and handicrafts

Diversity
Quality guarantees
Marketing standards
Organic products
Ethical assurance
Hygiene standards

Competition Policy
What is competition policy?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Protecting the market mechanism

Setting standards of conduct
Anchored in the principles of free-market capitalism
controversial role- across the EU and in individual MS
its development reflects the very varied economic system ranging from:
highly liberalized markets
state has played an important role in the economy to the post socialist state that embraces
apitalis i the 90s

Competition = central dynamic of entrepreneurship activity (the means of energizing the economic
system)
Competition- puts businesses under constant pressure

To offer the best possible range of goods

At the best possible prices

In a free market, businesses should be a competitive game with consumers as the beneficiaries. The EU
guarantees a free market competition, provided an economic constitution for Europe. Competition
policy is about protecting and expanding competition as a process of rivalry btw firms in order to win
costumers, as a process of creating and protecting markets.
Sometimes companies try to limit competition. To preserve well-functioning product markets,
authorities like the Commission must prevent or correct anti-competitive behavior, so the Commission
monitors:

Agreements btw companies that restrict competition (cartels or other unfair arrangements in
which companies agree to avoid competition and try to set their own rules)
Abuse of a dominant position (squeeze competitors out of the market)
Mergers (and other formal agreements whereby companies join forces permanently
temporarily)
Efforts to open the markets up to competition (liberalization- transport, energy,
telecommunication)
Financial support (state aid) for companies
Cooperation with national competition authorities in EU countries

Competition Policy

Why is competition policy important for consumers?

Make sure that businesses and companies compete fairly; creates a wider choice for
consumers and helps reduce prices and improve quality.
First of all, one important reason for consumer is low prices for all. When we have a
competitive environment that means that the producers try to offer us products at a better
price that would encourage consumers to buy and producers to put more products on the
market for sale, improve the quality of the products, attract more consumers and expand
the market share.
Expand market share - the part of the market that buys your products.
-

Low prices for all

Better quality
More choice
Innovation
Better competitors in global markets.

Components of EU competition policy.

-

A prohibition on agreements between firms that limit competition (art. 81 TEC; ex.
Art. 85 EEC)
A prohibition on the abuse of a dominant position by one or more large firms (art. 82,
TEC)
The control of mergers which create a dominant position (Regulation No. 4061/89)
The control of aid given by a member state to a firm or category of firms
The liberalization of measures by member states to favour domestic utilities, and
infrastructure industries.

1. Anti-trust: restrictive practices

Art. 81 (TEC)
-

Prohibits all agreements and concerted practices between firms that affect trade
between member states and have as their objective or effect the prevention,
restriction or distortion of competition within the common market.

Specifies exemptions from the prohibition in case where an agreement contributes

to improving the production or distribution of goods or to promoting technical or
economic progress .

Illegal practices:
-

Resale price maintenance an agreement between a manufacturer and a seller or

retailer not to sell a product below the specified price.
Horizontal price fixing agreements among sellers to establish maximum or
minimum prices on certain goods and services.
Export bans limitations on the quantity of goods exported to a specific country.
Market sharing a percentage of total sales volume in a market captured by a brand,
a product or a company.

The Commission is empowered by the treaty to apply these rules and has a number of
investigative powers. The Commission can make inspections of businesses, written requests
for information and so on, in order to find those illegal practices. They can also impose fines
on companies which violate the EU anti-trust rules.
Action against Cartels is a specific type of anti-trust enforcement. A Cartel is a group of
similar, independent companies which join together to fix prices, to limit production or to
share markets or costumers between them. Since cartels are illegal, they are generally
highly secretive and evidence of their existence is not easy to find. The Leniency Policy
encourages companies to hand over inside evidence of Cartels, to EC.
The first company in any Cartel to do so will not have to pay a fine.
In recent years, most Cartels have been detected by the Commission after one Cartel
Member confessed and asked for Leniency. In 2002 the Commission concluded its first
Cartel case known as The Lombard Club which covered all banking products, services and
advertising down to the smallest village.
At the other end of the spectrum, the majority of agreements will be perfectly legal, that
means that they cover or affect small sections of the market. Many agreements will also be
exempted because they add efficiency and economic progress. In order to provide certainty
the Commission has issued about a dozen block exemptions which define acceptable
agreements in areas such as: technology, R&D, maritime transport and insurance.

2. Abuse of Dominant Position.

Art. 82 (TEC):
-

Prohibits any abuse by one or more undertakings of a dominant position within the
common market: Monopoly Oligopoly.
The authorities first establish dominance (at least 40% of the market)

Then can they establish abuse

If successful: the Commission has the powers to fine, to issue a cease and desist
order, and to enforce diversification. (Fined Microsoft for failing to comply with its
commitments to offer users a browser choice screen enabling them to easily choose
their preferred web browser).

3. Merger Control.
The third element is the control of mergers and acquisitions that have the potential to
generate monopolies. This actions is often controversial, since its main target is big firms, it
attracts huge media attention and political lobby.
In 2003 the Commission, DG Com, approved of: Phizer/Pharmacia merger to create the
largest pharmaceutical company in the world and blocked: GE/Honeywell in 2001.
When it blocks an international merger as with GE/Honeywell, the conflict extends to the
highest possible level.
The Merger Regulation created a one stop shop which permitted the Commission to
control the largest mergers (above 2.500 million Euro Threshold) if below, it is dealt with
by national authorities. Companies prefer the EU process because it is more rapid,
transparent, avoids the approval of every state.
The German Clause it allows the Commission to give jurisdiction to a member state.
The Dutch Clause it allows a member state to request the Commission to act on its
behalf.

4. State Aid
The style and focus of policy in a different form, the treaty powers are less clear, the
processes of implementation are less powerful and the Commission enjoys less cooperation from
national governments, which are the targets of control.
Here the commission is more than the agent of the governments and aspires to be truly
supranational.
ART 87 affirms that aid to business weather private or state owned, which distorts
competition is incompatible with the common market .
- direct state subsidies to the companies
- all forms of assistance:
-

-tax breaks
-preferential purchasing
-loans
-loans guarantees

All aid must be notified to the commission, which assesses its compatibility and has
developed frameworks to examine sector specific and regional aid. A particular problem exists with
the new member states where the use of state aid is still wide spread. The Commission does not
have fully effective implementation powers however it can take decisions prohibiting aid or
demanding repayment but it prefers to try and persuade member states to comply.
Example: The attack on state guarantees against bankruptcy that have been provided by
German state governments since 1897 for German public banks. This were the biggest ever aid cases
and it has taken 10 years of patient negotiation to eliminate them. A useful technique developed in
the late 1980s has been to name and shame governments and reveal the scale of state aid through
periodic service, technique that was reinforced through the creation of a state aid register and an
online score-board in 2001.

5. Liberalization of utilities
It concerns competition in the public sector and the privatized utilities. The primary target is
the national governments, which may own nationalized industries.
The industries in question are:
- The key utility and infrastructure sectors, such as telecoms, energy, water, post, transport and
airlines
- The financial sector, insurance and media
State ownership of these industries had become the norm from 1950s and they were often
use to justify them as natural monopolies on the grounds that the need for maximum efficiency
through a single network required operation by a single company. In the 1990s this immunity was
challenged by technological change by a shift towards market solutions and by evidence that such

industries were inefficient, inflexible and too costly. The Commission has designed complex
packages of measures, directives, restrictive practices, and merger cases in order to liberalize sectors
such as electricity, gas, postal services and air transport.
THE INSTITUTIONS THAT ARE INVOLVED
The development and implementation is centered at the commission at the directorate
general, which was formerly known as DG form now named DG Com (Directorate General for
Competition). Is a small organization that has around 500 staff and the current structure includes
department dealing with state aid, with planning, strategy and departments organized to engage
with sectors of industry.
The decisions affecting competition are made by the entire college of commissioners who
are expecting to reach agreement as a collective body. Nevertheless the competition commissioner
(Margaret Vestager today) must expect opposition to controversial policies and decisions.
Governments often press their commissioner to influence policy and decisions so decisions rest on
political negotiation and compromise.

Economic and monetary affairs

European Council - in accordance with the EP plays and important role in approving the
competition commissioner.
Council of Ministers - approves together with the EP the competition law and for
competition matters the relevant ministers from each EU country meet in what is called the
Competitiveness Council.
European Court of Justice affected the development of policy in three ways:
1st By establishing the supremacy of EU law
2nd By becoming a policy shaper in its own right
3rd It has also established the influence of its distinctive legal methodology.
The Court insures uniform interpretation and application of competition law across the EU.
European Central Bank is consulted regularly on all competition issues related to the
financial sector.
Court of Auditors monitors the proper collection and legal spending of the EU budget on
EU policies. It has the authority to control fines imposed on companies found liable for anticompetitive practices and the money paid in fines go back to the EU budget.
The European Social and Economic Committee the body through which trade unions
employers associations and other groups representing civil society express their opinions. It has a
section dealing specifically with competition policy and consumer welfare issues. It is called simple
market production and consumption section.

SECTORS: agriculture, industry, energy, pharmaceuticals, professional services, sports,

telecommunication, transport etc.
OTHER FAMOUS CASES:
-

First LCD cartel

Apple Discriminatory pricing system
Volkswagen restrictive practices
Spanish textiles state aid
Ryan Air takeover mergers
Telefonica restrictive practices
Microsoft dominant position
Intel dominant position
Coca-Cola dominant position
Banana`s cartel

Budget Policy

The EUs a ual udget is e ui ale t to 1% of the U io s atio al ealth hi h is a out

244 Euro per EU citizen. EU budget finances actions and projects in policy domains where all
EU countries have agreed to act at Union level: Energy, transport, information and
communication technologies, research, climate change.
There are other policies where the EU countries decided not to act at union level for
instance: social security, pensions, health, education. They are all paid by the national
government. (Principle of subsidiarity). If one problem can be solved at national level it will
be solved at national level.
Basic principles: under which the EU budget operates

Annuality the budget is only for one year

Balance revenues must cover expenditure
Unity all expenditure is brought together in a single budget document
Universality all EU revenue and expenditure is to be included in the budget
Specification expenditure is allocated to particular objectives.

There is a possibility for transfers.

How do you benefit from EU budget? Which are the sectors in which EU invests the
money?

Competitiveness and cohesion 44.6%

Natural resources: agriculture, rural development, environment and fisheries 42.5%
Citizenship, freedom, security and justice
The EU as a global player
Other including administrative expenditure.

1. Growth and Jobs

Sustainable growth
-

Innovation
A knowledge based economy

Competitive economy
-

Investment in education and research

Extended transport and energy networks

Better employment conditions

Train the workforce
Adopt the latest technologies
Sharing experience and know-how.
2. Agriculture and rural development

High safety and quality for agricultural products

Protection of the environment
Restructure and diversification of rural economy
Sustainable fishing
Extensive action against animal diseases, air pollution.
3. Security and citizenship

The fight against terrorism, organized crime and illegal immigration

A better management of migration flows
Extensive cooperation in criminal and judicial matters
Secure societies based on the rule of law.
4. Being European

Promotes and protects the cultural heritage

Encourages active participation in social debates
Aims to protect public health and consumer interests.
5. Global player

Emergency aid in the aftermath of a natural disaster

A long term assistance for prosperity, stability, security
Promoting economic & social development
Keeping the peace
Helping victims of disasters and conflict.

Administrative costs: staff and building costs of all EU institutions (expensive).

Top expenditure areas for 2015.
-

46% for smart and inclusive growth in the EU subdivided into: 34% in helping
undeveloped EU regions and disadvantaged sections of society and 12% in making
European firms more competitive.

41% for producing safe and secure food supplies, innovative farming and efficient
and sustainable use of land and forests.

How is the budget managed?

Multiannual financial framework (a planning tool and an assurance that EU spending is
predictable)
The budget always needs to be in balance. The EU budget never runs a deficit, never builds
up debt and only spends what it receives. The annual budget must also comply with a longterm budgetary plan which is called the multiannual financial framework which is a
planning tool and an assurance that EU spending is predictable.
The main political and budgetary priorities of the EU budget are planned over at least 5
years (usually there are 7 years).
The MFF: sets the maximum annual limits of EU expenditure (known as ceilings) in several
policy areas (called headings) within each area of the budget funding is mainly provided
through programs or through funds.
Some programmes and budgets in 2015:
-

Horizon 2010 research & innovation programme

Youth Employment Initiative
COSME programme for small businesses
Connecting Europe Facility
Erasmus + - education, training, youth & sport.

The annual budget is subject to the ceilings set out in the multiannual financial framework
and is decided democratically as follows:
-

The European Commission proposes a budget (Draft budget).

The national governments (acting through the EU Council), and the directly elected
EP approve the proposal.
This e o es e t ea s budget.

The Commission tells the EP and the Council how it was spent.
The European Court of Auditors also scrutinizes spending.
If the money has been spent in accordance with the rules, the EP gives its approval.
Resources: where does the budget come from ?
-

Traditional own resources duties that are charged on imports of products coming
from a non-EU state. They belong to the EU.
Value added tax a % rate that is applied to each MS harmonized VAT revenue.

Gross National income a % rate applied to all gross national income of each MS,
the largest source of revenue (largest source).
Tax paid by EU staff on their salaries
Contributions from non-EU countries to certain EU programmes
Fines on companies that breach competition / other laws.

Course 9
Exam: 25 May- 2 June
Agricultural policy, competition, social policy, energy, environment, foreign policy, budget;
Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion Policy

Social policy- a term that includes government policies on education, health, employment, social
security and social exclusion. There are wide differences btw the policies in the MS, mainly because on
the nature of the society. That means that we cannot talk about a uniform social policy at EU level,
decision-making in this process remain at national level, so responsibility for employment and social
policies remain with MS.
EU offe s suppo t a d o ple e ts MSs effo ts. To ou te a t the i pa t of the demographic aging EU
employment and social policy is designed to:

Ease the transition from school to work

Make it easier to find a job
Modernize social security systems
Make it easier for workers to move freely around the EU
Alleviate poverty
Protect people with disabilities

Main actors:
European Commission

Coordinates and monitors national policies

Promotes the sharing of best practices
Makes laws in area like rights at work and coordination of social security schemes
Monitors their implementation
The EC suppo ts a d o ple e ts the MSs poli ies i the fields of so ial i lusio a d so ial
protection

The Council
The Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO)
To increase employment levels and improve living and working conditions in the EU
Setting common objectives for all the MS
Analyzing measures taken at the national level
Adopting recommendations to the MS
The Council also adopts together with the EP legislation related to the quality and safety of human
o ga s a d lood, patie ts ights, uality of edi al se i es a d edi i es.

Social Protection Committee

Advisory polity committee
Monitors social conditions in the EU and the development of social protection policies in MS
Promotes discussion and coordination of policy coordination of policy approaches among national
governments and the Commission
Prepares Council discussion on social protection
Produces reports and opinions on its own initiative or at the request of the Council or the
Commission
European Parliament
Committee on employment and social affairs
European Economic and Social Committee
employment, social affairs and citizenship section
Committee of the Regions
Commission for Economic Policy (ECON)
European Investment Bank
EU agencies:
1.
2.
3.
4.

European Foundation for the improvement of living and working conditions

European Agency for Safety and Health at work
European Center for the Development of vocational training (Cedefop)
European Training Foundation

Policy framework and instruments

Eu ope 2020 the EUs g o th st ategy ith 5 a itious o je ti es- on employment, innovation,
education, social inclusion and climate/energy to be reached by 2020)
Country-specific recommendations
Platform against poverty and social inclusion
Social Investment Package
European Social Fund
Methods
1. Open Method of Co-ordination
The Commission works together with EU countries through the Social and Protection committee
using this method, which is:

Voluntary process for political cooperation based on agreeing common objectives and
measuring process using common indicators

Also involves close cooperation with stakeholders, including Social Partners and civil society

Employment

Key target in the Europe 2020 strategy : 75% of the active population (20-64 years-old) in work
by the end of the decade

Initiatives:

to support job creation (promoting social enterprises)

To restore the dynamics of labour markets (proposing an EU framework for anticipating
economic restructuring)
To improve EU governance (publishing each year a benchmarking system)
To reduce the youth unemployment rate
A more focused and holistic approach to the fight against youth unemployment- direct support
to young people most in need
Structural reforms to enhance partnership btw governments, formal educations systems,
vocational education bodies, employment agencies, business, social partners, NGO;

Social Inclusion

In 2012: 124.5 million people (24% of the population) in the EU were at risks of poverty or social
inclusion
More than one in every six (18.5%) members of EU population were materially deprived in 2011
Under half of these (8.9% of the total population) are considered as experiencing severe
material deprivation (adequate heating, washing machine, telephone, car)

One of the major targets of Europe 2020 is to lift out of poverty at least 20 million people by the end
of the decade.
Activities:
1. Social investment
Investing in people
Policies designed to st e gthe peoples skills a d apa ities
Key policy areas:

Education
Quality childcare
Healthcare
Training
Job-search assistance
Rehabilitation

Social investment refers to:

Active inclusion
Income support
Inclusive labour markets
Access to high-quality social services
Social innovation
Investing in children
Homelessness
Poverty and social exclusion
Active ageing
Social services of general interests
Challenges faced by these actions are:
Rising demand for social services
Increasingly diverse demand
Pressure on the funding of social services
Inconsistency between providers of benefits and social services
Economic crisis
Demographic changes

Policy response
The Co
issio s So ial I est e t Pa kage SIP
-guides EU countries in using their social budgets more efficiently and effectively to ensure
adequate and sustainable social protection
-Seeks to st e gthe peoples u e t a d futu e apa ities
-packages of benefits and services that help people throughout their lives and achieve
lasting positive social outcomes
-stresses prevention rather than cure
-calls for investing in children and young people
Who benefits?
-children and young people
-jobseeker
-women
-older people
-disabled people
-homeless people
-employers

-Our societies

2. Social Protection
Provide protection against the risks and needs associated with: unemployment, parental
responsibilities, sickness and healthcare, invalidity, loss of a spouse or parent, old age,
housing, social exclusion;
3. Persons with disabilities
Active inclusion and full participation of disabled people in the society
8 priorities area:
- Accessibility
-Participation
-Equality
-employment
-education and training
-social protection
-Health
- External action

Integrating the Roma community

10-12 million people

80% of whom are at risk of poverty
70% of the Roma population have a lower than primary school level of education
The challenges facing the Roma people: poor education, unemployment, bad housing, social
exclusion, and discrimination
Framework for Roma inclusion, which integrates the national policies of all MS and also involves
regional and local authorities and NGOs. The Commission asses the national strategies and
checks that they are translated into concrete progress and measures
EU funding programmes:

European Social Fund

Europ. Globalisation Adjustment Fund
Fund for europ. Aid to the most deprived
EU Programme for Employment &Social Innovation which includes: PROGRESS, EURESdatabase with jobs, Microfinance & social entrepreneurship

ENERGY POLICY
-> We need it because: energy security, energy efficiency, small costs, shouldnt be
dependent on energy, because it is use daily (transport, lighting), stocks of energy resources
that are limited and we have to use them efficiently and because Europe exports and
imports quantities of energy.
In order to have it we need common rules and pooling of Europe`s efforts (becoming
independent, stocking it for more use and for internal low costs and finally to generate less
pollution.
Over time since 1999 to 2012 imports increased.
(Traditional suppliers) Norway, Russia, OPEC, Algeria
Why do we need a European energy policy? Energy is a strategic sector using
massive technical and financial+logistica resources
EU uses 1/5 of the orlds energy and costs are increasing. Countries ha e to ork together,
set goals and be efficient.
THE GOALS:
o
o
o
o

Securing Europe`s energy supply

Ensuring that prices do not make Europe less competitive
Protecting the environment and in particular combating climate change
Improving energy grids
Aims of the energy policy:

- saving energy (using energy in efficient ways)

- enhancing competition and supervising markets
- investments in energy grids (high voltage lines and transnational gas pipelines)
- enabling consumers to benefit from the economies of scale
- safety standards for European nuclear power stations and the management of nuclear
waste
In order to achieve the goals EU is:
-protecting vulnerable consumers
-increases the regulatory powers of supervisory authorities
-makes bills easier to understand
-energy labeling
The ones on the washing machine (A class up to D)
-improve the quality competition between energy suppliers (give the competition
the free choice between suppliers)
-stimulating the energy sector in order to provide new sources of renewable energy.
How? Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reducing Europe`s energy imports, making
Europe more independent, creating green jobs, bringing high-value exports and
stimulating growth.

Strategy of combating climate change: (20% reduction by 2020) and EU Energy

Security strategy from May 2014
- to define the ways of reducing the EU`s energy dependency

-to increase energy security

-diversifying sources of external energy supply
-modernizing energy infrastructure
-increasing energy production in the EU
-completing the internal energy market
-moderating energy demand
-better coordination of decisions between national policies
Denmark will be the first nation in the world who will run on renewable energy.
Samson Island in Denmark is 100% powered by renewable energy. (Wind and solar energy)
The Island produces more energy than it consumes. The fuel is locally grown straws and
they are used to heat the island. The biggest challenge was social, not technological and
economical. A drawback is the fact that the supply is not consistent because there is not
wind in Denmark, but it produces mainly 40% of it`s energy but sometimes more than 100%
of the energy, making the traditional energy plants almost meaningless. They have the
highest fuel taxes (180%) making more that 1/3 of the population use bikes.

Common Foreign and Security Policy

General facts:
-

Deals with international issues of a political or diplomatic nature: military issues

(high politics).
Is based on unanimous consensus among the M.S
Is a mechanism for adopting common principles and guidelines on political and
security issues, committing to common diplomatic approaches, and undertaking
joint actions.
CFSP includes a Common Security and Defense Policy.
Is intergovernmental in nature: the 28 member state governments, acting on the
basis of unanimous agreement in the European Council and the Council of the EU,
are the key actors.

Weaknesses:
-

Hard to reach an agreement between the member states (hard to reach a common
ground).
Insufficient institutional coordination and coherence (sometimes there is more than
one voice).
Prior institutional arrangements were susceptible to shifting priorities (the former
prominance of the rotating six month national presidencies in external affairs no
policy continuity).

The Lisbon Treaty in order to deal with these issues:

-

The creation of a new position: High Representative of the Union of Foreign Affairs
and Security Policy (which is also Vice President of the European Commission). As
such the HR position seeks to be an institutional bridge, linking together the
intergovernmental and community dimension of EU External Policy.
The creation of a new EU diplomatic corps, the European External Action Service
(EEAS) launched in Dec. 2010 to support the work of the HR in coordinating and
implementing EU foreign policy. It reflects a concept of institutional merger between
the EC and the Council of Ministers. One third of the personnel of EEAS is drawn
from the Commission, one third from the secretariat of the Council of the EU and
one third from the National Diplomatic Services of the member states.
The creation of a new permanent President of the European Council appointed by
an agreement by the member states to manage the activities of the group, to

promote the formation of consensus and speak on the behalf of the European
Council (heads of states of government).

Principles and philosophy.

1.
-

The Treaty on European Union 1992. The EU aims to:

Safeguard its values, fundamental interests, security, independence and integrity.
Consolidate and support democracy, the rule of law, human rights.
Preserve peace, prevent conflicts.
Foster the sustainable economic, social and environmental development of
developing countries.
Encourage the integration of all countries into the world economy.
Promote an international system based on stronger multilateral cooperation and
good global governance.

2. The European Security Strategy 2003. Sets out three broad strategic
objectives for EU policy makers:
- To address a considerable list of global challenges and security threats (regional
conflicts, terrorism, state failure, organized crime, disease).
- To build regional security in its neighborhood: the Balkans, the Caucasus, the
Mediterranean region, the Middle East.
- To seek the construction of a rules-based, multilateral world order in which
international law peace and security are endured by strong regional and global
institutions.

3. Main Actors:
European Council:
-

The EUs highest level of political authority.

Role: to identify the strategic interest and objectives of the Union with regard to its
external action.
Supplies political direction
Defines the priorities that shape CFSP
Decisions ar emade on the basis of consensus.

Council of the European Union:

-

Most of the formal mechanisms of CFSP decision making are carried out.

The Foreign Affairs Council configuration.

Unanimous agreement among all member states is required.

The Political and Security Committee (PSC) a Council structure composed of

ambassadors from the Member States.
Monitors and addresses international affairs.
Provides input into CFSP decision making.
Monitors the implementation of CFSP.

Instruments for this policy:

1.
2.
-

Treaty of Amsterdam 1997

Principles and guidelines
Common strategies
Joint actions
Common positions.
Lisbon Treaty
Decisions
Principles and guidelines
Common positions
Joint actions.

Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP).

This policy enables the Union to take a leading role in peace-keeping operations, conflict
prevention and in the strengthening of the International Security. The member countries
formally agree to begin work on an integrated EU Security and Defense policy in 1999
despite its military and defense elements, the activities of CCDP are not exclusively military
in nature, in fact in practice CSDP operations have mostly consisted of civilian activities
(police and judicial training). Today, CSDP has become largely oriented towards such
activities as:
-

Peacekeeping
Conflict prevention
Crisis management
Post-conflict stabilization
Humanitarian missions.

Institutions and Actors:

-

European Council
Council of Ministers
High Representative
Political and Security Committee
Specialized support structures: External Action Service ->

Crisis Management Planning Directorate

Civilian Planning Conduct Capability
Joint Situation Centre
EU Military Staff.

EULEX
-

The European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo.

Civilian rule-of-law mission that trains police, judges, customs official and civil
administrators in Kosovo.
Launched in 2008
The largest EU civilian operation ever undertaken.

EUFOR ALTHEA
-

The Military Operation European Union Force Althea

Is a peace-enforcement mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina
Launched in Dec. 2004
An initial troop of 7.000
Responsibility for stabilization in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

EUCAP SAHEL NIGER

-

Civilian training mission

July 2012
50 staff
To increase the capacity of the Nigerian police and security forces to combat
terrorism and organized crime
To reinforce political stability, governance and security in Niger and Sahel region.

EU NAVFOR ATALANTA
-

European Union Naval Force Somalia

A maritime antipiracy mission off the coast of Somalia
Launched in 2008
1.400 staff
Ships and patrol aircraft.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
One of the youngest policies of the EU and it was recognized in the 1986 treaty
through the Single European Act.
KEY PLAYERS:
Commission (Directorate General Environment): it makes policy formulation,
implementation of the policies and plays a role as mediating actor
Council of Ministers
European Parliament: co-decision procedure
European Court of Justice: ensures compliance with EU law and uniformity in
applying the law
Environmental interest groups:
-The European Environmental Bureau, which has the longest history in Brussels
-was set up in 1974 with the help of the European Commission
-a federation of 132 organizations from 24 European Countries
-Friends of the Earth
-Greenpeace International
-The Worldwide Fund for Nature
-The Climate Network Europe
-The European Federation for Transport and Environment
-Birdlife International
Why do we need an environmental policy?
The main aim is to improve the quality of the environment, to protect human health,
to achieve prudent and rational use of natural resources and to promote international
measure.
A coordinated environmental policy across the union will ensure coherence between
EU policies and will prevent obstacles undermining the single market given the relevance of
environmental legislation for many businesses sectors. Therefore efforts must be made to
raise general awareness of finite resources, to use resources more efficiently and to
eradicate damaging and wasteful behavior.
During the 20th century the world increased its use of fossil fuel by a factor of 12 and
extracted 24 times more material resources. The demand for food, animal feed and fiber
may increase by 70% by 2050. We will need more than two planets to sustain it.
EVOLUTION OF THE STRATEGY:
The major challenges facing this have evolved. In the 1970s 1980s the focus was on
traditional environmental issues (protecting species, improving the quality of the air/water
and reducing the emissions of pollutants) however nowadays it shifted to a systematic
approach: prevention of the environmental degradation, take into account the
environmental consequents of the policies (agriculture, energy, transport, fishery, regional
development, research and innovation). This means moving on from remediation to
prevention.

How can EU develop such policies? There are more than 200 pieces of legislation, a
proper implementation, which is in charge of The European Commission, through capacity
building and financial support and by taking legal actions. They are protecting the
environment through taxes and subsidies.
EEA: European Environmental Agency collects national data to produce European
data sets, develops and maintains indicators and reports on the sate of the environment.
Based in Copenhagen it began work in 1994. It`s mandate is to help the EU its member
countries need to make informed decisions about improving the environment and to
coordinate the EU environment information and observation network.
EUROPEAN COMMISSION is also promoting awareness on the environment. One
way is the annual highlight organized in Brussels for 1 week where 1000 participants debate
one key environmental issue.
EU`s green capital award: 2010- Stockholm, 2011 Brussels, 2014 Copenhagen,
2015 Bristol, 2016-Dubliana.
Encouraging innovation (the EU`s Eco-innovation Action Plan)
A managed network: Natura 2000 it promotes diversity
Controls the chemicals (REACH-Registration Evaluation
Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals)
Reuse, recycle and recover (16 tones of material/person/year
and 6 tons becomes waste)
Clean air policy
Ensures the quality of Europe`s water
EU directive on environmental noise
Global deforestation
The general EU Environment Action Program to 2020
-sets a long-term environment strategy
-it provides an overall approach towards the environment
-it sets the course for a green and competitive economy
European Union explained brochure.