European Union

Short EU history governmental organization, regional character - created thorough the regional integration processes; born on 7 February, 1992 - The Treaty of European Union in Maastricht; The Treaty of Lisbon, signed in on December 2007 by 27 countries, entered into force on 1 December, 2009 – since then we may call the EU int’l organization.

The international organization’s elements of the European Union The Treaty of Lisbon consists of two agreements that are the legal base of the EU and have the same legal force: * Treaty on European Union – TEU, * Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union – TFEU.

The international organization’s elements of the European Union (2) >> The goal: promoting of economic and social progress, creating of high level of employment in its Member States, as well as achieving the sustainable and lasting growth. >> Membership: opened; the accession to EU is based on the international agreement; not possible for the EU to be a member of the international organizations what is reserved only for the countries (eg. UN, Council of Europe). Thus EU is not a country it is possible to step out of the EU; the rule of respect of the national identity of Member States. >> Budget: only a small part - about 6% spent to cover the costs of administration and current activities >> Ratification, amendments, official languages

The international organization’s elements of the European Union (3) >> Limited competency: acting within the borders of competence granted by those countries; the requirement of acceptance by Member States of each international agreement between EU and the third countries; no connection between the election of Commission and the political groups of the European Parliament; no pan-European political parties in the election to the Parliament; the election mirror the national political arena; no pan-European media; strong national character of the media in EU; no union-general public opinion that would have control on the European Commission; national character of army, police and the secret service; the responsibility of keeping the law and order by Member States; treaties’ audit has to be in alliance with constitutional requirements of the Member States; the EU doesn’t have its independent territory; Member States’ dependent territories don’t have to be in the EU (eg. Faroe Islands, Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands).

The EU seven main institutions The EU institutions don’t have sovereign power The European Council; The Council of the European Union; The European Commission; The Parliament; The Court of Justice of the European Union; The Court of Auditors; Advisory organs common for several institutions.

EU competences exclusive competences; shared competences; supporting competences.

External actions of the EU(1) The Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) after the Treaty of Lisbon: The High Representative (HR) of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy; External Action Service of the European Union (EEAS); The European Council as the Foreign Affairs Council; Stronger role of Parliament of the EU; The Political and Security Committee; The principle of unanimity.

External actions of the EU (2) II. The structure of the external actions of the EU: The international agreements; The Common Trade Policy; Association; Development cooperation; Humanitarian aid; Relations EU with the int’l organizations and the third countries; Solidarity clause; Unified sanctions.

External actions of the EU (3) III. European Neighborhood Policy IV. The Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP)

Based on the European Council decision from 25-26 March, 2010, all the union policies, together with the coherence policy, have to support the realization of the new union Europe 2020 Strategy. The aim of this document is to support better than the Lisbon Strategy the sustainable growth, based on the high competitiveness of the European economy.

Europe 2020 Strategy - key features Launch - 3 March 2010; 7 flagship initiatives within smart, sustainable and inclusive growth; 5 headline targets; Indicators to measure progress.

Smart growth flagship initiatives >> 1. Youth on the move - encouraging people to learn, preparing for the job market. Youth@Work; “Study in Europe” campaign Erasmus Mundus, Bilateral agreements, and other Exchange programs. >> 2. Innovation Union - creating new products/services that spur new jobs Investments; European Research Area; Working on standard-setting; Unitary European patent protection; European Innovation Partnership (EIP); A blueprint for Intellectual Property Rights; EU research funding focused on innovation and big challenges. >> 3. Digital agenda -creating a single digital market based on fast internet Europeana; Regular Internet use; Broadband availability; Online shopping and Egovernment; Promotion of low energy lightening.

Sustainable growth flagship initiatives >> 1. Resource efficient Europe Energy Efficiency Plan; Adaptation to climate change. >> 2. An industrial policy for the globalization era Capitalizing on globalization; Infrastructure serving industry; Strengthening the Single Market; Ensuring access to raw materials; Building on Corporate Social Responsibility; Improving framework conditions for industry.

Inclusive growth flagship initiatives >>1. European platform against poverty European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion convention. >>2. An agenda for new skills and jobs European Vacancy Monitor (EVM); European Progress Micro-finance Facility; European Public Employment Services (PES); Programme for Social Change and Innovation (PSCI).