European Union Law

The Community shall have as its task to

promote a harmonious and balanced
development of economic and social
cohesion and solidarity among Member
States.

Art. 2 Treaty of Rome (1986)

 European Union
- 1992 Treaty on the EU aka Maastricht treaty

- It is made up of 3 communities:

1. European Coal and Steel Community (1952)

2. E. community aka Treaty of Rome (1957)
3. E. Atomic Energy Community Treaty ( 1957)
 Map
http://europa.eu/about-
eu/countries/index_it.htm
 Original Aims
1. Single
market
2. Customs union
3. Monetary union
 1. Single market
Free circulation of
Goods
Capital
People
services
 2. Customs union

Common external tariff

No custom duties within the
EU
 3. Monetary union

Establishment of the Eurozone

(1999)
Initially 17 member states
 Eu Sources of law
1. Primary law
2. Secondary law
 1. Primary Law

a. Treaties- directly applicable in all MS

b. Treaty of Rome
 2. Secondary law

Regulations ( directly applicable)

Directives ( have to be transposed
into national law first)
Decisions ( binding on who they
address)
 Institutions of the EU

EU Parliament
Council of the European Union
Eu Commission
European Council
 EU Parliament
751 MEPS- Elected nationally
They sit according to the political party, not
the nation they come from
Together with the Council, the Parliament
adopts or amends proposals from the
Commission.
It supervises the work of the Commission
It adopts the European Union's budget.
 EU Parliament
The number of MEPs is proportionate to its
population.
No country can have fewer than 6 or more
than 96 and the total number cannot exceed
751 (750 plus the President).
 location
The European Parliament:
- Brussels (Belgium),
- Luxembourg (admin offices)
- Strasbourg (France).
 Council of the EU
Passes EU laws.
Signs agreements between the EU and other
countries.
Approves the annual EU budget
Develops the EU's foreign and defence
policies.
 Council of the EU
Members: each country sends the minister for
the policy field being discussed e.g. the
environment minister for the meeting dealing
with environmental matters.

Location
Brussels
Luxembourg (meetings)
 EU Commission
It proposes new laws to Parliament and the
Council
It manages the EU's budget
It enforces EU law (together with the Court of
Justice)
It represents the EU internationally, e.g. by
negotiating agreements between the EU and
other countries.
 Location

The Commission is based in Brussels and

Luxembourg and has offices in every EU
country
 European Council
It sets the EU's general political direction and
priorities, and dealing with complex or
sensitive issues that cannot be resolved at a
lower level.
It has no powers to pass laws.
 European Council composition
heads of state or government of every EU
country, the Commission President and the
European Council President, who chairs the
meetings.
Difference between the European Council, the Council
of the European Union and the Council of Europe?
The Council of the European Union: legislative and
budgetary powers (with the Parliament). Composition:
representatives of each member state at ministerial level

The European Council defines the general political

directions and priorities of the European Union. It consists
of the heads of state + European Council President + the
President of the Commission.
The Council of Europe is not part of the European Union , it
is an international organisation based in Strasbourg. Its
main role is to strengthen democracy, human rights.
47 member states vs. 28
 Eu court of justice
1952- Luxembourg
1 judge per state
Made up of:
-Court of justice
-General court
- Specialised courts
 Eu court of justice
Aims:
1- to decide if states hae failed to fulfil the
obligations under the treatu
2. It clarifies the meanings of eu law

Composition:
Judges elected on a Six year term (renewable)
+ 6 advocates general
 supremacy
In case of conflict with a State, EU laws prevail
 Eu anthem
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBaHPN
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EU presidency
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5NJwS2
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWa9U7
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