1. and the Decision-making processEU
The European Union
and the Decision-making process

2. EU
I. Why a European Union?

3. Why a European Union ? Peace and stability
Bringing Europe together again
Safety and security
Identity and diversity in a globalised world
Economic and social solidarity
Values

4. History Treaty of Rome Formation of EEC + Euratom 1957 (1958)
6 Members States
ECSC
1951 (1952)
Schuman-Plan
1950
Single European Act
1986 (1987)
Treaty of the European Union (Maastricht)
1992 (1993)
Treaty of Amsterdam 1997 (1999)
Treaty of Nice (2000)

5. Enlargement of the Union
Founding Members: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands
1973: Denmark, Ireland, United Kingdom
1981: Greece
1986: Portugal, Spain
1995: Austria, Finland, Sweden
2004: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Cyprus
2007: Bulgaria, Rumania

6. The Three Pillars of the EU
EU European Union
European Communities
EC ECSC* Euratom
Common Foreign and
Security Policy
Police and Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters
* The ECSC Treaty ceased to exist in 2002

7. The Four Freedoms of the Single MarketEU
Basic Freedoms
Free Movement of Goods
Prohibition of customs duties between Member States
Harmonisation and mutual recognition of rules and regulations
Certain restrictions are still permitted

8. The Four Freedoms of the Single MarketEU
Basic Freedoms
Free Movement of Persons
Abolition of border controls
Freedom of residence and employment (mutual recognition of diplomas)
Under certain conditions EU-citizens have the right to reside in any other Member State even after the end of their employment

9. The Four Freedoms of the Single MarketEU
Basic Freedoms
Free Movement of Services
Free movement of services (e.g.: free choice of phone provider)
Harmonisation of bank and traffic supervision
Opening of transport and telecommunications markets

10. The Four Freedoms of the Single MarketEU
Basic Freedoms
Free Movement of Capital
More freedom for monetary and capital movements
Steps towards a common market for financial services (e.g.: no double transfer fees)
Liberalisation of stock broking (security trading)

11. History of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU)EU
EMU
(1st stage)
1990
EMU
(2nd stage)
1994
EMU
(3rd stage)
1997/1999
Euro-Cash- Implementation
First stage : Complete liberalisation of capital movement; intensified cooperation of national Central Banks; free application of ECU; improvement of economic convergence.
Second stage: Establishment of the European Monetary Institute; prohibition of Central Bank credits to public bodies; intensified coordination of monetary policy; intensified economic convergence; process leading to the independence of national Central Banks completed with the creation of the European System of Central Banks; preparatory work for the third stage.
Third stage: Irrevocable fixing of exchange rates; implementation of the Euro; implementation of a single monetary policy under the authority of the ECB; set-up of the exchange rate mechanism (ERM II) within the EU; set-up of the stability and growth pact.

12. The Convergence CriteriaEU
Inflation rate must not exceed that of the 3 best performing Member States of the EU by more than 1.5 percentage points
The Convergence
Criteria
Applicant States should have joined the exchange-rate mechanism (ERM II) for 2 consecutive years and should not have devaluated their currencies during the 2-year-period.
The ratio of the annual government deficit to gross domestic product (GDP) must not exceed 3%.
The ratio of gross government debt to GDP must not exceed 60%.
The nominal long-term interests rate must not be more than 2 percentage points higher than the 3 best performing Member States.

13. II. The EU decision-making process

14. EU legislates in all areas of Public Policy:
Market
Social Policy
Environment
Agriculture
Regional Policy
Research and Development
Law and Order
Citizenship
Human Rights
International Trade
Foreign Policy
Defence
Consumer affairs
Transport
Public Health
Education and Culture

15. The EU sets over 80 % of the rules on production, distribution and the exchange of goods, services and capital EU
About 300 acts of EU legislation every year
Prevails over national law and has direct effect
Powerful indirect effect on the distribution of resources between individuals, groups and nations in the EU

16. EU
III. The EU is a complex institutional and policy environment with diverse actors

17. European Council (EC) EU European Parliament (EP) European Commission
Council of the European Union
(Council)
The Institutions
of the EU
European Economic and Social Committee
(EESC)
European Court of Justice
(ECJ)
European Court of Auditors
(ECA)
Committee of the Regions
(CoR)
European Investment Bank
(EIB)
European Investment Fund
(EIF)
European System of Central Banks
(ESCB)
European Central Bank
(ECB)
Decentralised Bodies
(e.g.: Europol)
Other bodies
Advisory Committees
Institutions with special status

18. Around the European Institutions:
More than Lobbyists
Lobby

19. The European Council (EC)
(Summit)
The European
Council
Sets guidelines and objectives
Adopts final agreements
Reforms the Treaties

20. EU
European Council
The European
Council
Consists of the Heads of State and Government together with the President of the European Commission.
Generally meets four times a year to set the basic political guidelines and to review progress.
Since it became the supreme political authority of the EU, its meetings have been referred to as « summits ».

21. The European Commission
The Commission
Has the right of initiative and delegated implementing powers
Controls the implementation of EU legislation by Member States
Controls the Member States’ economic policy

22. The Commission EU consists of: 27 Commissioners from 27 Member States
(including the President
and 5 Vice-Presidents).
Each Commissioner has
one vote.
The Commission is a collective
decision-making body.
Therefore minorities are bound
by the decisions of the majority.
Also in case of a future
enlargement the number of
commissioners should not exceed
27.
The term of office is 5 years. EU
The Commission

23. + EU EP EP Heads of State and Government Commission President
Appoint with qualified
majority EU
Heads of State
and Government
Commission President
The Election of the Commissioners
Needs
approval by EP
Commission takes up its work. EP
Need
approval by
Heads of State
and Government
Commission
President +
Propose
Commissioners
Appoint
Commissioners
Member States

24. The European Commission
27 Members of the Commission
Cabinets
Directorate Generals and Services EU
The Directorate Generals of the Commission

25. The Directorate Generals of the Commission
European Commission
EC College
José Manuel BARROSO (P) - President
Margot WALLSTRÖM (S) - Institutional Relations & Communication Strategy, VP
Günter VERHEUGEN (D) - Enterprise & Industry, VP
Jacques BARROT (F) – Justice, Freedom and Security, VP
Siim KALLAS (EST) - Administrative Affairs, Audit & Anti-Fraud, VP
Antonio TAJANI (I) - Transport, VP
Viviane REDING (L) - Information Society & Media
Stavros DIMAS (GR) - Environment
Joaquìn ALMUNIA (E) - Economic & Monetary Affairs
Danuta HÜBNER (PL) - Regional Policy
Joe BORG (MAL) - Fisheries and Maritime Affairs
Dalia GRYBAUSKAITE (LIT) - Financial Programming and Budget
Janez POTOČNIK (SLV)- Science & Research
Meglena KUNEVA (BUL) – Consumer protection EU
The Directorate Generals of the Commission

26. The Directorate Generals of the Commission
European Commission
EC College
Ján FIGEL (SLK) - Education, Training, Culture, & Youth
Androula VASSILIOU (CYP) - Health
Olli REHN (FI)- Enlargement
Louis MICHEL (B) - Development & Humanitarian Aid
László KOVÁCS (HU) - Taxation & Customs Union
Neelie KROES (NL) - Competition
Mariann FISCHER BOEL (DK) - Agriculture & Rural Development
Benita FERRERO-WALDNER (AU) - External Relations & European Neighbourhood Policy
Charlie McCREEVY (IRE) - Internal Market & Services
Vladimir SPIDLA (CZ) - Employment, Social Affairs & Equal Opportunities
Catherine ASHTON (UK) - Trade
Andris PIEBALGS (LAT) – Energy
Leonard ORBAN (RO) – Multilingualism EU
The Directorate Generals of the Commission

27. Directorate Generals of the CommissionUE
Policy Areas
External Relations
General Services
Internal Services
Employment and Social Affairs
Justice and Security
Humanitarian Aid
Publications Office
Interpretation
Education and Culture
Agriculture
Europ. Anti-fraud Office
Budget
Single Market
Regional Policy
Development
Eurostat
Informatics
Transport and Energy
Taxation and Customs Union
Enlargement
Secretariat General
Internal Audit Service
Fisheries
Environment
EuropeAid –
Co-operation Office
Communication
Legal Service
Research
Enterprises and Industry
Trade
Personnel and Administration
Health and Consumer Protection
Competition
Bureau of European Policy Advisers
Joint Research Centre
Economic and Financial Affairs
Translation
Information Society and Media
The Directorate Generals of the Commission

28. The European Parliament
Represents the citizens
Has general legislative power

29. The European Parliament
EP President
Political Parties
Secretariat
Committees
permanent and ad hoc
Secretariat
National Delegations
MEPs
Info and contacts

30. The European Parliament
785 MEPs
The European Parliament has three basic powers and functions:
The European Parliament EU
Competences
of the European
Parliament
Legislation
Hearing
Co-decision
Consultation
Assent
Control of the Executive
Budget

31. Votes in the European Parliament
785 MEPs directly elected by EU citizens in June 2004 :
Germany 99
UK 78
Italy 78
France 78
Spain 54
Poland 54
Romania 35
Netherlands 27
Portugal 24
Belgium 24
Greece 24
Czech Rep. 24
Hungary 24
Sweden 19
Austria 18
Bulgaria 18
Finland 14
Denmark 14
Slovakia 14
Ireland 13
Lithuania 13
Latvia 9
Slovenia 7
Luxemburg 6
Estonia 6
Cyprus 6
Malta 5 EU
Votes in the European Parliament
Political parties:
Conservatives 278
Socialists 218
Liberals 104
Greens 42
United left 40
Others 102

32. The political groups in the European Parliament

33. The Parliamentary CommitteesEU
The Parliamentary Committees
AFET: Foreign Affairs
DEVE: Development
INTA: International Trade
BUDG: Budget
CONT: Budgetary Control
ECON: Economic and Monetary Affairs
EMPL: Employment and Social Affairs
ENVI: Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
ITRE: Industry, Research and Energy
IMCO: Internal Market and Consumer Protection
TRAN: Transport and Tourism
REGI: Regional Development
AGRI: Agriculture and Rural Development
PECH: Fisheries
CULT: Culture and Education
JURI: Legal Affairs
LIBE: Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
AFCO: Constitutional Affairs
FEMM: Women's Rights and Gender Equality
PETI: Petitions
DROI: Human Rights
SEDE: Security and Defense
CLIM: Climate Change
The Parliamentary Committees

34. The Council of the European Union
Represents the Member States
Has general legislative power
Sets the political agenda together with the Commission

35. European Council/Summit Presidency of the Council
Heads of State & Government EU
Council of Ministers
National Ministers meet in 9 configurations
Council General Secretary +
High representative for
Common Foreign and Security Policy
Presidency of the Council
6 month term
The Council of the European Union
COREPER I
Technical
Deputy Permanent Representatives
COREPER II
Political
Permanent Representatives
Permanent Representations to the EU
Mertens
Group
Antici
Group
Working Groups
Diplomats and Experts
Info and contacts

36. Council of the European Union
Cyprus
[4]
Hungary
[12]
Czech Rep.
[12]
Spain
[27]
Bulgaria
[10]
A Member State can request a verification that the countries supporting the proposal represent at least 62% of the total EU population EU
Slovenia [4]
Belgium [12]
Council of the European Union
Slovakia [7]
Denmark [7]
Sweden [10]
Pondération
des voix
au sein du Conseil
Germany [29]
The Council is the main decision-making body of the European Union.
Every country is represented by the minister responsible for the policy area being discussed (Foreign Affairs, Finances, Social issues, Traffic, Agriculture, etc.)
The presidency rotates between the Member States every 6 months.
Portugal [12]
Estonia [4]
Finland [7]
Poland [27]
Austria [10]
France [29]
Netherlands [13]
Greece [12]
United Kingdom [29]
Malta [3]
Ireland [7]
Luxembourg [4]
255 of 345 (72,3%) are necessary for a qualified majority
Additionally the majority of the Member States needs to approve the proposal
Romania [14]
Italy [29]
Latvia [4]
Lithuania [7]

37. The Committee of the Regions and the Economic and Social CommitteeEU
Committee of the Regions and Economic and Social Committee
The Committee of the Regions and the Economic and Social Committee
Consultative bodies
Compulsory consultation for certain areas

38. Consultative or Advisory BodiesEU
European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)
Represents the “organized civil society”: employers, trade unions, farmers, consumers and the other interest groups
Committee of the Regions (CoR)
Is the political assembly that provides local and regional authorities with a voice at the heart of the European Union
Compulsory consultation before EU decisions are taken on matters which concern local and regional government, such as regional policy, the environment, education and transport
But its opinion does not have to be taken on board
European Economic and Social Committee and Committee of the Regions

39. The Committee of the RegionsEU
CoR President
Bureau
The Committee of the Regions
CoR Secretary General
Commissions
Secretariat
Political Parties
Secretariat
Elected Members
National Delegations
Info and contacts

40. The Court of Justice The Court of JusticeEU
The Court of Justice
The Court of Justice
Judges over the legality of acts

41. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) and the Court of First Instance
The ECJ is made up of one judge per Member State and 8 Advocates General
The ECJ may sit in chambers of 3, 5 or 13 judges, and in very exceptional cases as a full Court.
The Judges and Advocates General are nominated by the Member States by mutual agreement for a period of six years.
The Court of First Instance was established in 1989 and corresponds approximately to the ECJ, but does not have permanent Advocates General
The Courts preserve the community right when treaties are being interpreted and implemented.
The European Court of Justice and the Court of First Instance

42. Other European Interests - Lobby Groups -
Regions and Cities: AER, CEMR, CPMR, Eurocities, and other specialised organisations like EPRO (environment), ERRIN (research & innovation), ISLENET (energy and environment), POLIS (transport), REGLEG (legislative competences), etc.
Business and Industries: UEAPME (Craft and SMEs), UNICE (industrial and employers’ confederations) and many others in different sectors
European networks & associations in different sectors
NGOs
… and a long etc.

43. IV. EU Decision-Making process

44. Decision-making at EU Level
Involves various European institutions, in particular
The European Commission (EC),
The European Parliament (EP),
The Council of the European Union
In general the Commission makes new legislation proposals, but Council and Parliament pass the laws. Other institutions and bodies also have roles to play (e.g. Committee of the Regions)

45. Legal Sources of Community LawEU
Primary Legislation (Treaties)
Secondary Legislation
Legal Sources of Community Law
Institutional Acts of the EU
Regulations
Directives
Decisions
Recommendations and Opinions
Noch nicht fertig!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

46. Legal Sources of Community LawEU
Regulation
Legal Sources of Community Law
Directly applicable in all Member States
Of “general application”
Binding in its entirety
Noch nicht fertig!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

47. Legal Sources of Community LawEU
Directive
Legal Sources of Community Law
Binding, as to result to be achieved!
Binding in its principle
Noch nicht fertig!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

48. Legal Sources of Community LawEU
Decision
Legal Sources of Community Law
Shall be binding in its entirety upon those to whom it is addressed
Noch nicht fertig!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

49. Legal Sources of Community LawEU
Recommendation and opinion
Legal Sources of Community Law
Do NOT formally constitute part of EU Law
Have no binding force
Noch nicht fertig!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

50. Implementing Acts into national legislationEU
Directives must be transposed in National legal systems, however, the Member States can decide how  Second phase for regions to lobby
Regulations are directly applicable in national law
The Commission monitors the implementation by Member States; it can take Member States to the European Court of Justice for a breach of their implementation obligations in case of failure to comply
Legal Sources of Community Law
Noch nicht fertig!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

51. EU Decision-Making Procedures
Three Main
EU Decision-Making Procedures EU
Co-decision
Consultation
Assent
Requires two readings by the Parliament and the Council, if the two cannot agree they enter into conciliation
The Parliament’s opinion is incorporated into the Commission proposal. If the Council decides to reject the proposal, this requires unanimity
The Council must obtain the European Parliament's assent before taking certain important decisions. The Parliament can approve or reject a proposal but not amend it
Noch nicht fertig!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

52. Examines the amendments
Consultation EU
EC proposal
CoR
EESC
accepts
Council
Examines the amendments EP
Noch nicht fertig!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
approves
Approves
Rejects
Amends

53. Consultation Areas subject to consultation:EU
Areas subject to consultation:
Police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters
Revision of the Treaties
Discrimination based on gender, race or ethnic origin, religion, political beliefs, handicap, age or sexual orientation
European citizenship
Agriculture
Cohesion Policy: ERDF and ESF Regulations
Legal immigration and free movement of people-connected
Transport (when it may have a significant influence in certain regions)
Competition law
Tax provisions
Economic policy
Noch nicht fertig!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

54. Approval requires the absolute majority of the vote cast!
Assent EU
EP’s Assent EC
Council
Noch nicht fertig!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Approves
Rejects
Amends
Approval requires the absolute majority of the vote cast!

55. Areas subject to assent:EU
Areas subject to assent:
Specific tasks of the European Central Bank
Amendments to the statutes of the European System of Central Banks or the European Central Bank
Financial Perspectives
European Parliament’s uniform election procedure
Certain international agreements
Accession of new Member States
Sanctions imposed on a Member State for a serious and persistent breach of fundamental rights under Article 7 of the EU Treaty
Noch nicht fertig!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

56. Co-Decision EU
The most frequently used procedure – under the Constitutional Treaty this would be the standard procedure
Council and Parliament on equal footing – they share the legislative power equally. Both Institutions carry out up to three readings
If Council and Parliament cannot agree on a piece of proposed legislation, it is put before a conciliation committee
The Conciliation Committee consists in equal shares of representatives from the Council and the Parliament
Once the Committee has reached an agreement, the text is sent back to Parliament and Council for its final adoption as law
Noch nicht fertig!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

57. Proposal from EC to EP and the CouncilEU
First reading in the EP: adopts an opinion with or without amendments
First reading in the Council: either,
Adopts the text approved by the EP, with QMV
Does NOT adopt the text and adopts a COMMON POSITION with QMV
Noch nicht fertig!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ADOPTED

58. Second reading in the EPEU
Second reading in the EP
Approves the common position
Does not take any decision
Rejects the common position by absolute majority
Proposes amendments to the common position by absolute majority
Noch nicht fertig!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NOT-ADOPTED
EC delivers opinion on amendments
ADOPTED
ADOPTED

59. Second Reading in the CouncilEU
Second Reading in the Council
The legal system
The Council accepts EP Amendments
The Council does NOT accept EP Amendments
Noch nicht fertig!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ADOPTED
The Council convenes, in agreement with the EP President, the CONCILIATION COMMITEE

60. The Conciliation Committee can:EU
The Conciliation Committee can:
The legal system
Fail to agree on a joint text
Approve a joint text and submit it to Council and EP
They fail to agree within max. 6 weeks
They agree within max. 6 weeks
NOT ADOPTED
Noch nicht fertig!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ADOPTED
NOT ADOPTED

61. Policy areas subject to co-decision:EU
Policy areas subject to co-decision:
The legal system
Prevention of discrimination on the grounds of nationality
Freedom of movement and residency
Free movement of labour
Social security of migrant labour
Freedom of establishment
Transport
Internal market
Employment
Customs cooperation
Combating social exclusion
Equal opportunity and treatment
Education
Vocational training
Implementation of decisions relating to ESF
General Regulation for Cohesion Policy
Culture
Health
Consumer protection
Trans-European networks
Execution of European Regional Development Fund decisions
Research
Environment
Prevention and prosecution of fraud
Visas, asylum and illegal immigration (1 April 2005 at the latest)
Noch nicht fertig!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

62. Thanks for your attention!EU