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History of the European Union (EU)

History of the European Union (EU). 1948 – Organization for European Economic Cooperation (OEEC) founded to administer U.S. Marshall Plan 1957 – Treaty of Rome established European Economic Community (EEC) 1967 – European Community (EC) established. History of the European Union (EU).

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History of the European Union (EU)

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  1. History of the European Union (EU) • 1948 – Organization for European Economic Cooperation (OEEC) founded to administer U.S. Marshall Plan • 1957 – Treaty of Rome established European Economic Community (EEC) • 1967 – European Community (EC) established

  2. History of the European Union (EU) • 1991 – The Maastricht Treaty – laid down main elements for future European gov’t • Single currency, common foreign & security policy, common citizenship, & an EU parliament with more extensive powers • Ratified in 1993 – called it the EU

  3. Political Institutions • 1. EU Parliament – 786 by 2009 (directly elected by pop.) • Based in France, Belgium, and Luxembourg • EU Parl. passes laws, monitors budget, & monitors EU institutions • 2. EU Council – ministerial representations from each member state

  4. Political Institutions • Council passes laws, approves EU budget, coordination of economic policies, develops foreign policy, and coordinates anti-crime strategies • 3. EU Commission – 20 commissioners appointed by each member state every 5 years (over 21,000 employees) • Proposes legislation, implements EU policies, law enforcement, international coordination

  5. Financial Institutions • 1. European Central Bank – inflation target of less than 2% per year, sets short term interest rates for the whole eurozone area • Implements and monitors Eurozone monetary policy • 2. European Investment Bank – “owned” by member states

  6. Financial Institutions • Raise finance through financial markets • Invest in projects to promote aims of EU – large-scale projects • 3. Court of Auditors – monitors legality and efficiency of EU income & expenditure

  7. Judicial Institutions • Court of Justice – one judge from each member state • Interprets and applies EU legislation • The Commission or a member country can bring other member countries or the Commission to the court for failing to meet treaty obligations

  8. EU Activities • Long list includes agriculture, fisheries, environment, regions, finance/economics, aid, employment, energy, etc. • CAP – Common Agricultural Policy – food quality, food safety, animal welfare, farmer welfare/incomes, employment in agriculture

  9. Activities

  10. Finance/Economics • Euro – monitor introduction & development • Tax harmonization – reduce differences in taxes throughout the single market to aid competition & transparency • Single Market – free movement of goods, services, labor, & capital between member states

  11. Council Voting Methods • UNANIMITY – used to be the main voting method; used in matters exclusive to the justice & home affairs & common and foreign security policy • Certain financial and constitutional matters also require unanimity as do some legislative procedures

  12. Council Voting Methods • SIMPLE MAJORITY – each member state has one vote & a simple majority of 8 is required • Restricted mainly to minor procedural matters & to certain measures covered by the Common Commercial Policy (about tariffs)

  13. Council Voting Methods • QUALIFIED MAJORITY VOTING (QMV) – each state is given a number of votes, roughly in proportion to population • Covers broad range of policy decisions • Adoption of acts requires 62 votes (out of 87 total or 71.3%) in favor, cast by not less than 10 member states

  14. Community Legislative Instruments • REGULATIONS – decisions which have direct legal force in member states with immediate effects • Mostly concerned with technical decisions, particularly relating to CAP • Binding in their entirety and directly applicable

  15. Community Legislative Instruments • DIRECTIVES – set out principles of legislation, but left up to member states to implement through national law • Time limit left to do this is usually 2-3 years • Once passed into national law, they are binding & expected to have same results in member states that apply

  16. Community Legislative Instruments • DECISIONS – similar to regulations but addressed to governments, undertakings, or individuals • RECOMMENDATIONS and OPINIONS – not binding; used to provide additional information on specific issues

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