Podcast
Questions and Answers
The European Council requires a majority vote to determine the existence of a serious breach by a Member State of the values in Article 2.
The European Council requires a majority vote to determine the existence of a serious breach by a Member State of the values in Article 2.
False
A Member State losing its voting rights in the Council can still retain its obligations under the Treaties.
A Member State losing its voting rights in the Council can still retain its obligations under the Treaties.
True
The agreement for a Member State's withdrawal from the Union is always concluded by the European Parliament alone.
The agreement for a Member State's withdrawal from the Union is always concluded by the European Parliament alone.
False
Once a Member State notifies its intention to withdraw, the Union must negotiate the terms before the withdrawal can take effect.
Once a Member State notifies its intention to withdraw, the Union must negotiate the terms before the withdrawal can take effect.
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The Council may revoke measures taken against a Member State if the situation changes, acting by a simple majority.
The Council may revoke measures taken against a Member State if the situation changes, acting by a simple majority.
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The European Council cannot act without the consent of the European Parliament when suspending a Member State's rights.
The European Council cannot act without the consent of the European Parliament when suspending a Member State's rights.
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Only one third of the Member States can propose the determination of a serious breach by the European Council.
Only one third of the Member States can propose the determination of a serious breach by the European Council.
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The Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity and the rule of law.
The Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity and the rule of law.
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Citizens in the Union are represented solely by their national governments in the European Parliament.
Citizens in the Union are represented solely by their national governments in the European Parliament.
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The principle of equality guarantees that citizens receive equal attention from Union institutions.
The principle of equality guarantees that citizens receive equal attention from Union institutions.
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A citizens' initiative requires fewer than one million citizens from a significant number of Member States.
A citizens' initiative requires fewer than one million citizens from a significant number of Member States.
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National Parliaments do not play any role in the functioning of the Union.
National Parliaments do not play any role in the functioning of the Union.
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The Union values include pluralism, and non-discrimination.
The Union values include pluralism, and non-discrimination.
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The Council is represented by the Heads of State or Government from Member States.
The Council is represented by the Heads of State or Government from Member States.
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The European Commission can submit proposals only when it is invited by a single national government.
The European Commission can submit proposals only when it is invited by a single national government.
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Solidarity and equality between women and men are values that prevail in the Union.
Solidarity and equality between women and men are values that prevail in the Union.
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Competences not conferred upon the Union in the Treaties are retained by the Region.
Competences not conferred upon the Union in the Treaties are retained by the Region.
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The Union must respect the political identities of Member States as defined in Article 4 TEU.
The Union must respect the political identities of Member States as defined in Article 4 TEU.
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Article 5 asserts that all powers are exclusively held by the Union.
Article 5 asserts that all powers are exclusively held by the Union.
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The Union is charged with maintaining national law and order as part of its responsibilities.
The Union is charged with maintaining national law and order as part of its responsibilities.
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The Treaties consider equality among Member States as a fundamental principle.
The Treaties consider equality among Member States as a fundamental principle.
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Article 4 TEU states that the Union shall ignore the territorial integrity of Member States.
Article 4 TEU states that the Union shall ignore the territorial integrity of Member States.
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Member States should ensure the national security of the Union under Article 4.
Member States should ensure the national security of the Union under Article 4.
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The Union is required to acknowledge the essential State functions of Member States.
The Union is required to acknowledge the essential State functions of Member States.
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The Member States maintain control over their local self-government according to Article 5.
The Member States maintain control over their local self-government according to Article 5.
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The fundamental structures of Member States, including political systems, are irrelevant to the Union.
The fundamental structures of Member States, including political systems, are irrelevant to the Union.
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The Union and the Member States may legislate in a shared competence area only if the Member States have previously exercised their competence.
The Union and the Member States may legislate in a shared competence area only if the Member States have previously exercised their competence.
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Under specific conditions, the Union can carry out actions that support Member States without superseding their competence.
Under specific conditions, the Union can carry out actions that support Member States without superseding their competence.
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The legally binding acts of the Union adopted in certain areas result in the harmonisation of Member States' laws.
The legally binding acts of the Union adopted in certain areas result in the harmonisation of Member States' laws.
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The Council can act unanimously to adopt measures necessary for achieving EU objectives even if the Treaties have provided necessary powers.
The Council can act unanimously to adopt measures necessary for achieving EU objectives even if the Treaties have provided necessary powers.
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The provisions of the Treaty on European Union allow for the progressive framing of a common defence policy.
The provisions of the Treaty on European Union allow for the progressive framing of a common defence policy.
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The Treaty of Lisbon was signed in 2007 and replaced the Maastricht Treaty.
The Treaty of Lisbon was signed in 2007 and replaced the Maastricht Treaty.
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The EU law framework consists of only intergovernmental pillars.
The EU law framework consists of only intergovernmental pillars.
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The TEU and TEU refer to the same foundational treaties of the European Union.
The TEU and TEU refer to the same foundational treaties of the European Union.
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The common commercial policy is part of the integration framework of the EU.
The common commercial policy is part of the integration framework of the EU.
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Permanent Structured Cooperation on Defence and Security is abbreviated as PESCO.
Permanent Structured Cooperation on Defence and Security is abbreviated as PESCO.
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Euratom was established alongside the Treaty of Nice in 2001.
Euratom was established alongside the Treaty of Nice in 2001.
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General guidelines are categorized under the Community Pillar of the EU.
General guidelines are categorized under the Community Pillar of the EU.
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The Treaty of Lisbon initiated the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU.
The Treaty of Lisbon initiated the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU.
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The Treaty establishing the European Community was signed in 1951.
The Treaty establishing the European Community was signed in 1951.
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Decisions within the EU framework define actions and positions to be undertaken by the Union.
Decisions within the EU framework define actions and positions to be undertaken by the Union.
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Study Notes
European Union as an International Organisation
- The European Union is an international organisation
- International organisations are generally based on a conventional legal basis
- Their composition is essentially inter-state
- They pursue common or collective interests
- They have a permanent organisational structure
- They have International legal personality
International Organisations: concept and types
- International organisations have a conventional legal basis
- International organisations are generally inter-state in composition
- Aims to further common or collective interests
- International organisations have permanent organisational structures
- They have an international legal personality.
- International Organisations can be categorized by purpose: general or special
- International Organisations can be further categorised by composition as universal, regional
- International organisations have classifications based on competencies: cooperative or integrative
Treaties: background and historical evolution
- The Treaty of Paris (1951) established the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC)
- The Treaties of Rome (1957) established the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) and the European Economic Community (EEC)
- The EU evolved via a series of treaties over time
- Evolution involves a process of European integration ("progressivity")
- Steps include deepening and enlargement
EU Members
- The EU currently has 27 member states
- Candidates for EU membership include Albania, North Macedonia, Turkey, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Ukraine, and Georgia
- A potential candidate is Kosovo
- Enlargement dates and countries are listed in a table
EU Accession
- The Copenhagen criteria (1993) define conditions for membership
- Countries must have stable democratic institutions and functioning market economies.
- They must be able to implement EU law and assume the administrative demands of membership.
- The accession process involves notifying the Council of the application
- Negotiations are subject-by-subject
- The Commission monitors the candidate's progress throughout the negotiations
- Each chapter is closed when each EU government is satisfied
- The treaty is signed by the acceding country, and ratified by the EU member
EU Membership Status
- The Union respects the equality of Member States before the Treaties and their national identities.
- Members participate in decision making process
- Members enjoy institutional system rights
- Members comply with obligations
- Members have financial obligations to the EU
Loss of Membership
- Article 7 TEU outlines disciplinary power over member states regarding values in Article 2
- A 1/3 vote from Member States, the European Parliament or the European Commission determines a clear risk of a serious breach.
- The European Council determines a serious breach (requires unanimity, consent of Parliament) and can suspend member rights.
- A State may unilaterally withdraw under Article 50 TEU
- The procedure involves notification to the European Council
EU Goals
- The Union aims to promote peace, values, and the well-being of its peoples
- The union works for an area of freedom, security, and justice without internal borders
- The Union establishes an internal market
- It works for sustainable development, balanced economic growth, price stability, a competitive social market economy, aiming at full employment and social progress,
- It promotes a high level of protection and improvement of the environment, fosters scientific and technological advance, combats social exclusion and discrimination
- It works for social justice, equality (between women and men), solidarity between generations, and children's rights.
- It promotes economic, social, and territorial cohesion
- It recognizes cultural and linguistic diversity, with the aim of safeguarding and enhancing Europe's cultural heritage
- The establishment of an economic and monetary Union with the euro currency
- It has global relations including upholding values and interests while also contributing to global peace, security, development, solidarity, mutual respect among countries, free and fair trade, poverty eradication, and the protection of human rights (especially those of children)
EU Institutional System
- The Union has an institutional framework to achieve its objectives, serve its interests and those of its citizens, with consistency, effectiveness, and continuity
- The Union's institutions include the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Commission, the Court of Justice of the European Union, the European Central Bank, and the Court of Auditors
- Each institution is defined by limits of the Treaty
- Institutions must practice mutual cooperation
- Provisions on other institutions are detailed in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union
- The European Parliament, the Council, and the Commission are assisted by an Economic and Social Committee and a Committee of Regions
EU Legal Personality
- The European Union is an international organisation with legal personality
- The Union is endowed with international legal personality,
- The Union has the right to engage in international relations
- It has the right to conclude treaties.
- The Union also enjoys privileges and immunities.
EU Legal Order
- The EU legal order has its own sources
- EU law and national legislation are part of this process.
- The European Union judicial system is in place
- The EU legal order is a distinct form of law, with precedence over domestic law
- EU law has direct effect
- EU law's primacy necessitates compatibility
- EU legal order is distinct in its nature
EU Legal Order Sources
- Primary sources include the founding treaties, general principles of EU law
- Secondary sources comprise legal acts of EU institutions, and international agreements.
- Case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) forms another source.
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Description
This quiz explores key aspects of the European Union's governance structure, focusing on the voting rights of Member States, the process of withdrawal, and the role of the European Parliament and the Council. Test your knowledge on how the EU maintains its foundational values and the procedures for addressing serious breaches. Perfect for students of EU law or those interested in European politics.
