What does a supranational organization mean?
It’s a higher authority that stands above the nation and pools together part of their sovereignty to make joint decisions.
What does an intergovernmental organization mean?
Organizations in which member states work together on policies of common concern but retain their full sovereignty. (i.e. EUCO)
What does a qualified majority vote mean?
It’s a mechanism used within the Council of the EU to take decisions without the need for unanimity. - At least 55% needs to agree and 65% of EU countries’ population need to be represented.
What does ‘ratification’ mean?
To approve and commit one self to an international treaty making it officially valid.
What is a Treaty?
International agreement between countries.
What do non-tariff barriers mean?
It’s a restriction on import/export of goods and/or services through means other than tariffs.
What is a preferential trade agreement?
An agreement where countries agree on lowering tariffs they charge for importing goods.
What is a direct effect in EU context? (CoJ)
A major legal principle in EU law holding that individuals can directly invoke EU legislation in cases before national courts. (They can uphold EU international law above national law even in their own court)
What is supremacy in EU context? (CoJ)
A major legal principle in EU law holding that if national legislation is in conflict with EU law, EU law overrides national legislation.
What is judicial activism?
Type of judicial behaviour, where judges take a borad and active view of their role as interpreters of the law.
What is unanimity voting?
Decision-making rule in the Council which requires all member states to support a proposal. This requirement gives every member state the possiblity to veto a proposed decision.
What is the Luxembourg Compromise?
An informal agreement between the member states allowing a member state to block a decission in the Council if it declares the matter to be of ‘vital national interest’.
What are opt-outs?
Specific exceptions that are granted to a member state when it is unwilling or unable to fully accept all provisions of a treaty or law.
What is the ordinary legislative procedure?
Decision-making procedure that is most commonly used in the EU for adopting legislation, giving equal powers to the EP and the Council. (Both need to agree in order to adopt a legislative proposal.)
What is the Copenhagen Criteria?
Fundamental conditions regarding institutions, human rights and economic readiness aspiring member states have to meet before being able to join the EU.
What is the European Economic Area (EEA)?
Area that comprises the EU member states and Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein. Through the EEA agreement these three countries take part in the EU single market and commit themselves to applying all applicable EU legislation.
What is an Intergovernmental Conference?
Meeting of the member states to discuss and decide a revision of treaties. As its name indicates, an IGC is a purely intergovernmental affair that involves only representatives of the member state governments.
What is sovereign debt?
It refers to the public debt of a country which it finances through issuing bonds.
What is Euroscepticism?
A term used to describe people, member states or political parties that are highly critical of European integration.
What is the Marshall Plan?
A programme under which the US offered financial assistance to encourage post-war recovery in Europe.
