TEST

Question 1

52. What was/is the Economic and Monetary Union created by the Maastricht treaty?

Answer 1

The Economic and Monetary Union (EMU)[1] is an umbrella term for the group of policies aimed at converging the economies of member states of the European Union at three stages. An economic and monetary union (EMU) is a type of trade bloc that features a combination of a common market, customs union, and monetary union

Economic and Monetary Union in three stages!
• Stage I: liberalization of capital movement (begin Jan. 1990)
• Stage II: margins in ERM progressively narrowed + E system of Centr Banks
• Stage III: fixation of exchange rate parities and transfer of responsibilities onto EC institutions – European Central Bank

Question 2

51. Explain the paradoxical nature of the ‘F-word’ in context of EU integration of course!

Answer 2

British MEPs “On the continent [federalism] is a harmless label, neither exciting nor controversial. In Britain, it carries connotations of unspeakable disloyalty and unmentionable perversity”
→ ICG dropped the word federal

• Emotionally charged word
• Paradox - the word has been dropped but the nature of integration has not changed (with or without it)

Question 3

50. How did the Maastricht treaty ratification process go?

Answer 3

In the first Danish referendum, on 2 June 1992, the treaty was rejected by a margin of 50.7% to 49.3%.[7] Concessions secured by the end of year in Edinburgh including, critically, the same exemption secured by Britain from the single currency (Denmark would not have to give up the krone), allowed for a second referendum. On 18 May 1993, Maastricht Treaty was endorsed by a vote of 56.7%.[8]

In Ireland, the Eleventh Amendment of the Constitution, allowing the state to ratify the Treaty, was approved in a referendum held on 18 June 1992 with the support of 69.1% of votes cast.

In September 1992, a referendum in France narrowly supported the ratification of the treaty, with 50.8% in favour. This narrow vote for ratification in France, known at the time as the ‘petite oui’, led Jacques Delors to comment that “Europe began as an elitist project in which it was believed that all that was required was to convince the decision-makers. That phase of benign despotism is over.”[9]

In the United Kingdom parliament ratification did not command a clear majority. In protest against the social-policy opt out, Labour opposed, while “anti-federalists” split the governing Conservatives. Prime Minister John Major was able to face down his “Maastricht Rebels” only by tying ratification to the survival of the government in a vote of confidence.[10]

Ratification of the treaty was completed by then twelve members of the EC by mid 1993 and came into legal fore on 1 November 1993.

Question 4

49. Name and shortly describe the three ‘pillars’ of the European Union created by the Treaty on European Union (up to 10 sentences/descriptions)!

Answer 4

Between 1993 and 2009, the European Union (EU) legally comprised three pillars. This structure was introduced with the Treaty of Maastricht on 1 November 1993, and was eventually abandoned on 1 December 2009 upon the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon, when the EU obtained a consolidated legal personality.

The Maastricht Treaty altered the former European treaties and created a European Union based on three pillars: the European Communities, the common foreign and security policy (CFSP) and cooperation in the field of justice and home affairs (JHI).

Within each pillar, a different balance was struck between the supranational and intergovernmental principles.
Supranationalism was strongest in the first pillar. Its function generally corresponded at first to the three European Communities (European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), European Economic Community (EEC) and Euratom) whose organisational structure had already been unified in 1965–67, through the Merger Treaty. Later, through the Treaty of Maastricht the word “Economic” was removed from the EEC, so it became simply the EC. Then with the Treaty of Amsterdam additional areas would be transferred from the third pillar to the first. In 2002, the ECSC (which had a lifetime of 50 years) ceased to exist because the treaty which established it, the Treaty of Paris, had expired.

In the CFSP and PJCCM pillars the powers of the European Parliament, the Commission and European Court of Justice with respect to the Council were significantly limited, without however being altogether eliminated. The balance struck in the first pillar was frequently referred to as the “community method”, since it was that used by the European Community.

Question 5

48. Who was Jacques Delors and what was his contribution to European integration?

Answer 5

Delors became the President of the European Commission in January 1985. During his presidency, he oversaw important budgetary reforms and laid the groundwork for the introduction of a single market within the European Community. It came into effect on 1 January 1993 and allowed the free movement of persons, capital, goods, and services within the Community.[6][7]
Delors also headed the committee that in early 1989 proposed the monetary union to create a new currency—the Euro—to replace individual national currencies. This was done in the 1992 Maastricht Treaty.[8]
In opposition to the strident neoliberalism of American President Ronald Reagan (1981-1989) which dominated the American political agenda, Delors promoted an alternative interpretation of capitalism that embedded it in the European social structure. He synthesized three themes.[9] From the left came favouring the redistribution of wealth, and the protection of the weakest. Second a neo-mercantilist approach wanted to maximize European industrial output. A third was reliance on the marketplace. His emphasis on the social dimension of Europe was and remains central to a strong narrative that became a key element of the self identification of the European Union.[10]
The Delors presidency has been considered as the apex of the European Commission’s influence on European integration.

Question 6

45. What was the purpose of the Schengen treaty? When was it adopted?

Answer 6

The Schengen Agreement is a treaty which led to the creation of Europe’s Schengen Area, in which internal border checks have largely been abolished. It was signed on 14 June 1985, near the town of Schengen, Luxembourg, by five of the ten member states of the then European Economic Community.

Question 7

42. What was the purpose of the Single European Act? When was it adopted?

Answer 7

The Single European Act (SEA) was the first major revision of the 1957 Treaty of Rome. The Act set the European Community an objective of establishing a single market by 31 December 1992, and a forerunner of the European Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) it helped codify European Political Co-operation. The amending treaty was signed at Luxembourg City on 17 February 1986 and at The Hague on 28 February 1986. It came into effect on 1 July 1987, under the Delors Commission. To facilitate the removal of NTBs, the SEA reformed the Community legislative process both by introducing the cooperation procedure and by extending Qualified Majority Voting to new areas.

Question 8

39. What are the ‘four freedoms’, and what is their relation to the internal market?

Answer 8

Rome Treaty 1957: “an area without internal frontiers in which the free movement of goods, persons, services and capital is ensured” = four freedoms

Question 9

38. What does ‘harmonization’ mean in EU integration?

Answer 9

-> approximation/harmonization of standards across EC
tax harmonization (who should pay VAT, where and how much),
→ Harmonization / new community-wide regulation

Question 10

37. What was Lord Cockfield’s White Paper about? What was its purpose?

Answer 10

A White Paper, Completing the Internal Market,[11] proposed by Lord Cockfield[12] was published in June 1985. It detailed 300 legislative proposals, including measures to eliminate a series of physical, technical and fiscal non-tariff barriers.

• By the European Commission - Lord Arthur Cockfield (British internal market commissioner) – in charge of the paper “succumbed” to ways of the Commission
• the White Paper contained powerful rationale for further economic integration
• The Paper identified 300 measures necessary to complete the internal market by the target date December 31st 1992
• 3 categories: physical, technical and fiscal
• Paper: a detailed action plan – a blueprint for implementation of the Single/Internal Market!
• Supported at the Milan summit

Question 11

36. What do we mean by ‘primary’ and ‘secondary’ EU law?

Answer 11

Primary law - It is the supreme source of law in the EU. It comes mainly from the founding treaties, notably the Treaty of Rome (which evolved in the Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union) and the Treaty of Maastricht (which evolved in the Treaty on European Union)

Secondary law comprises unilateral acts

Legally binding acts adopted usually, but not always, by the European Commission under powers given to it by the Council and European Parliament

• A delegated act under Article 290 of the TFEU.
• An implementing act under Article 291 of the TFEU.
• An act adopted using the legacy regulatory procedure with scrutiny (RPS).

Question 12

35. Which principle was established by the Cassis de Dijon case? What is its meaning for the internal market?

Answer 12

is an EU law decision of the European Court of Justice. The Court held that a regulation applying to both imported and to domestic goods (an “indistinctly applicable measure”) that produces an effect equivalent to a quantitative import restriction is an unlawful restriction on the free movement of goods.

products sold lawfully in one Member State may not be prohibited from sale in another.

Question 13

34. Evaluate Margaret Thatcher’s role in the European Communities!

Answer 13

Thatcher: allergic to EC’s “own resources” “I want my money back!”
BBQ
She opposed The Genscher-Colombo proposal (1981)

Question 14

33. Explain the British Budgetary Question: when did it take place, what was the context/issue and how was it solved?

Answer 14

In April 1970 the six founding member states of the then European Communities (EC) adopted the so-called ‘own resources system’[5] as the means of funding the EC budget. Under this system, revenues were to flow automatically to the EC budget rather than through agreement of the national parliaments, as had been the case until then, and calculated based on three elements:[6]
• Customs duties collected on imports from the rest of the world
• Agricultural resources
• VAT base.
As the UK’s VAT base in comparison with gross national product (GNP) was proportionally higher than in other member states, and the UK was more open than other member states to trade with non-EC countries, this system implied a disproportionate contribution by the UK when it joined the EEC in 1973. Additionally, the fact that around 70 per cent of the EC budget[7] was used to finance the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and that the UK had a small agricultural sector meant that the UK gained few receipts under the EEC’s redistributive policies.
To address this, at the Fontainebleau European Council in June 1984 Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher successfully negotiated the UK Rebate which was adopted in the May 1985 European Council decision

rebate (or UK correction) was a financial mechanism that reduced the United Kingdom’s contribution to the EU budget in effect since 1985. It was a complex calculation which equated to a reduction of approximately 66% of the UK’s net contribution – the amount paid by the UK into the EU budget less receipts from the EU budget.

Question 15

32. Characterize the ‘Mediterranean enlargement’! What were the big issues, who joined the European Communties and when?

Answer 15

The 1970s also saw Greece, Spain, and Portugal emerge from dictatorship. These countries desired to consolidate their new democratic systems by binding themselves into the EEC. Equally, the EEC was unsure about which way these countries were heading and wanted to ensure stability along its southern borders.[14] However François Mitterrand initially opposed their membership fearing they were not ready and it would water the community down to a free trade area.[15]
Greece joined the EU in 1981 followed by Spain and Portugal in 1986.

Both countries had been under dictatorships until just over a decade prior to the accession, with Spain under the military dictatorship of Francisco Franco, and Portugal under the corporatist dictatorship of the Estado Novo. This had meant that, whilst both countries had previously had relationships with the Communities in some form or another, they were ineligible to become members. The mid-1970s brought the death of Franco in Spain, and the Carnation Revolution in Portugal, which rapidly pushed both countries towards democracy.

• issues of agriculture, fisheries
• urged a reform of the CAP

Greece demanded financial assistance to meet the costs of the country’s adjustment to EC membership
– to COMPENSATE for the diversion of funds when Portugal and Spain join the EC in 1986!

Question 16

31. When was the first direct election to the European Parliament held?

Answer 16

June 1979

Question 17

29. What does ‘deepening’ and ‘widening’ mean in European integration terminology?

Answer 17

deeper integration and wider enlargement

Question 18

28. Why did the UK hold a referendum on European Communities membership just after its entry? How did it go?

Answer 18

The February 1974 general election had yielded a Labour minority government, which then won a majority in the October 1974 general election. Labour pledged in its February 1974 manifesto to renegotiate the terms of British accession to the EC, and then to consult the public on whether Britain should remain in the EC on the new terms, if they were acceptable to the government. The Labour Party had historically feared the consequences of EC membership, such as the large differentials between the high price of food under the Common Agricultural Policy and the low prices prevalent in Commonwealth markets, as well as the loss of both economic sovereignty and the freedom of governments to engage in socialist industrial policies, and party leaders stated their opinion that the Conservatives had negotiated unfavourable terms for Britain.

The referendum did temporarily achieve Harold Wilson’s ambition to bring the divided Labour Party together on the European issue; however, eight years later, Labour’s 1983 general election manifesto pledged withdrawal from the Communities.

The electorate expressed significant support for EC membership, with 67% in favour on a national turnout of 64%.

Question 19

27. Which countries joined the European Communities in 1973?

Answer 19

UK, Denmark and Ireland joined as part of the same expansion but Norway, who had signed the treaty, declined to ratify it and so it was amended to exclude that country.

Question 20

26. How many attempts did it take for the UK to become a member of the Communities? Why? How did it go?

Answer 20

The UK first applied to join the EU in 1961. This application was vetoed by the French government in 1963 and a second application was vetoed, again by the French, in 1967. It was only in 1969 that the green light was given to negotiations for British membership, with talks starting in 1970. The UK joined the European Economic Community (as it then was) on 1 January 1973, alongside Denmark and Ireland.

Question 21

25. Why was the European Council created? What was it’s role in relation to the other EC institutions?

Answer 21

While the European Council has no legislative power, it is a strategic (and crisis-solving) body that provides the union with general political directions and priorities, and acts as a collective presidency. The European Commission remains the sole initiator of legislation, but the European Council is able to provide an impetus to guide legislative policy

The European Council (informally EUCO) is a collegiate body that defines the overall political directions and priorities of the European Union. It is composed of the heads of state or government of the EU member states, along with the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission

• 1975 – European Council = “European summits”

• regular meetings of top state officials Heads of State and government
• provide strategic leadership
• in intergovernmental format
• not a legislative decision-making body!

Question 22

23. What is the ‘Luxembourg Compromise’? When was it agreed? What was agreed?

Answer 22

The Luxembourg Compromise (or “Luxembourg Accord”) was an agreement reached in January 1966 to resolve the “Empty Chair Crisis” which had caused a stalemate within European Economic Community (ECC).

a de facto veto power was given to every state on topics that were deemed to be ‘very important national interest(s)’

The Common Agricultural Policy was born of the Treaty of Rome. CAP was partially reformed in 1966 as a result of the empty chair crisis and the Luxembourg Compromise

he Compromise had a restraining effect on the Commission. In stressing the vitality of a balance of powers between member state preferences and supranational ideals within the Community, it tethered the Commission to the Council. As a result, the process of integration slowed, and the minimal amount of legislation proposed by the Council limited the Commission’s power to implement policy. Overall, the administrative and initiative authorities that the Commission previously enjoyed on its own now needed the Council’s approval. In a joint meeting of the European Parliament, the Council and the Executives on 28 and 29 January 1966, it was agreed that the Commission must seek the Council’s approval on several policy measures. The compromise’s allowance for a veto also weakened the Commission’s ability to push for legislation. In knowing that any member state could terminate the effort with a no vote, the Commission was discouraged from proposing controversial and deeper integration policies.

Question 23

22. Describe the ‘Empty Chair Crisis’: when did it take place, what happened and why?

Answer 23

In July 1965, intergovernmentalist Charles de Gaulle boycotted European institutions due to issues he had regarding new political proposals by the European Commission.

De Gaulle believed that national governments should move towards integration and did not agree with the Commission’s attempt to create a shift towards supranationalism, extending powers beyond national borders.

After the failure of the Fouchet Plan and de Gaulle’s veto of the United Kingdom’s application for EC membership, the Commission attempted to move towards integration by proposing an idea that would combine the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the European Parliament, and Commission. De Gaulle supported the creation of the CAP and favoured its enactment. However, he disagreed with the Parliament’s new role, the Commission’s strength, the shift towards supranationalism, and the budget proposals for financing the CAP. De Gaulle made it a condition that majority voting with a right to veto must exist if France was to participate in the European Community. When de Gaulle was not granted a more intergovernmental Commission or voting and veto rights, the French representative left the Council of Ministers

Question 24

21. Why did the Brits change their mind and applied to join the Communities in 1961? How did it go?

Answer 24

• 180º policy turn in 1961 (under PM Harold Macmillan), Britain applied to join the EC → Easy access to the West European markets • Commonwealth/EFTA were not enough • United States (Kennedy): - thought British non-membership was awkward - Grand Design: idea of a transatlantic community of two equals (both federal) -> (no place for an UK intermediary)

• > Europe – not subservient to Washington in NATO
• De Gaulle was suspicious of British ‘special relationship’ with USA
• French fear of losing the leading role in the Community
• CAP negotiations could have been destroyed if Britain took part in the bargaining – results might not have been so favourable to France

Question 25

20. How did Charles de Gaulle approach European integration? How could we characterize his European politics?

Answer 25

• ‘Just a’ free trade area would ruin the fragile new communities • De Gaulle announced that he would honour the Rome Treaty and its timetable. Phew! →In the French interest: EC could pull the French economy into the modern 20th century! →Within EC, the French don’t need to compete for power with the UK + they got a special regime for agriculture = win-win French vision of Europe epitomized by the Fouchet plan 1961-62 • France: competing version of European integration along intergovernmental lines • Europe of the states rather than a federal Europe!!!!!!! • In context of French gradual withdrawal from NATO PLAN: Direct high-level cooperation on political, economic, cultural and defense matters (!) -> Europe – not subservient to Washington in NATO • Opposed by the small members (wanted UK as a candidate involved in the talks) • Germany: preserve Franco-German partnership, but not alienate USA • The USA were concerned • The talks eventually collapsed in 1962

Question 26

19. Describe briefly the European Free Trade Area, how was it different from the European Economic Community?

Answer 26

The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is an intergovernmental organisation, established in 1960 by the EFTA Convention for the promotion of free trade and economic integration between its Member States (today Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland), within Europe and globally. EFTA does not envisage political integration. It does not issue legislation, nor does it establish a customs union. EFTA’s first objective was to liberalise trade between its Member States. The main difference between the early EEC and EFTA was the absence of a common external customs tariff, and consequently each member of the EFTA was able to establish individual customs duties against, or individual free trade agreements with non-EFTA countries. * Mid 1950s: British (and OEEC) reaction to European integration * Parallel initiative to launch a free trade area but without the supranational ties * To pressure the EC countries into reopening negotiations on free trade (1957) * US disliked EFTA because it was less economically advanced

Question 27

18. Describe briefly the European Economic Community (when was it established, by which treaty and what was its purpose)!

Answer 27

The European Economic Community (EEC) was a regional organization that aimed to bring about economic integration among its member states. It was created by the Treaty of Rome of 1957.[note 1] Upon the formation of the European Union in 1993, the EEC was incorporated into the EU and renamed the European Community (EC). In 2009, the EC formally ceased to exist and its institutions were directly absorbed by the EU The Community's initial aim was to bring about economic integration, including a common market and customs union. It was an customs union. It was an economic union.

Question 28

17. What is the difference between a free trade area, a customs union and a common market?

Answer 28

Free Trade area - an elimination of tariffs between the members of this area. Customs union - establishing a single external tariffs among participating members states (EAEC) Common market - elimination on all restrictions of goods, services, people and capital

Question 29

14. Which countries were the founding members of the European Coal and Steel Community?

Answer 29

Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and West Germany.

Question 30

13. Describe briefly the European Coal and Steel Community (when was it established, by which treaty and what was its purpouse)!

Answer 30

The European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) was a European organisation created after World War II to regulate the coal and steel industries. It was formally established in 1951 by the Treaty of Paris, signed by Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and West Germany. The ECSC was an international organisation based on the principle of supranationalism,[2] and started a process of integration which ultimately led to the creation of the European Union. The ECSC was first proposed by French foreign minister Robert Schuman on 9 May 1950 as a way to prevent further war between France and Germany. He declared his aim was to "make war not only unthinkable but materially impossible"[3] which was to be achieved by regional integration, of which the ECSC was the first step. The Treaty would create a common market for coal and steel among its member states with freely set market prices, free movement of products, and without customs duties or taxes, subsidies, or restrictive practices.

Question 31

11. When and in reminder of what do we celebrate ‘Europe day’?

Answer 31

Europe Day is a day celebrating "peace and unity in Europe"[1][2] celebrated on 5 May by the Council of Europe and on 9 May by the European Union. The first recognition of Europe Day was by the Council of Europe, introduced in 1964.[3] The European Union later started to celebrate its own European Day[4] in commemoration of the 1950 Schuman Declaration, leading it to be referred to by some as "Schuman Day" or "Day of the united Europe"

Question 32

9. What is the Schuman declaration? When was it presented? What did it propose?

Answer 32

The Schuman Declaration was presented by French foreign minister Robert Schuman on 9 May 1950. It proposed the creation of a European Coal and Steel Community His declared aim was to make future wars among the European nations unthinkable due to higher levels of regional integration, with the ECSC as the first step towards that integration

Question 33

8. Who was Jean Monnet? What makes him an EU ‘founding father’?

Answer 33

• Jean Monnet (FR) - Civil servant, a bureaucrat – not a politician - No party affiliation (= not discredited after the war) - National (economic) planning commission: task - modernization Monnet Plan - Franco-German economic integration based on exploiting Germany’s situation Although not all of the goals were met, the Plan has been credited with providing direction, vision, and hope to the nation, and it set France on the road to an economic miracle in the 1950s The Monnet Plan created the impetus for French foreign minister Robert Schuman’s proposal to pool the French and German markets for coal and steel.[39] The Schuman Plan led to the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community, which laid the foundation for the 1958 establishment of the European Economic Community, the forerunner of the European Union.[40]

Question 34

7. What vision of Europe did Winston Churchill present in 1946?

Answer 34

In Zurich, Churchill spoke about the future of the maltreated and destroyed continent of Europe. To never let such a tragedy happen again, Churchill pleaded for «building a kind of United States of Europe» with the reconciliation of Germany and France as its core.

Question 35

6. Shortly characterize the Marshall plan and the Truman doctrine!

Answer 35

The Truman Doctrine is an American foreign policy that originated with the primary goal of containing Soviet geopolitical expansion during the Cold War. ... More generally, the Truman Doctrine implied American support for other nations thought to be threatened by Soviet communism. led, in 1949, to the formation of NATO, a military alliance that is still in effect. The Marshall Plan, also known as the European Recovery Program, was a U.S. program providing aid to Western Europe following the devastation of World War II. It was enacted in 1948 and provided more than $15 billion to help finance rebuilding efforts on the continent. The Marshall Plan generated a resurgence of European industrialization and brought extensive investment into the region. It was also a stimulant to the U.S. economy by establishing markets for American goods.

Question 36

5. What was the United States’ role in early European integration?

Answer 36

- The Foreign Assistance Act of 1948 (The Marshall Plan) - wanted integration and creation of a common market in Europe, rather than just free trade – single market as an essential prerequisite for peace and prosperity in Europe and for Europe’s full participation in the global economic system Strong Europe = strong ally against Soviets

Question 37

3. What kind of vision of Europe did Richard Coudenhove-Kalergi put forth in 1923?

Answer 37

* Recovered ideas of ‘imperial blocs’ * Pan-European Union/Movement formed in Vienna in 1923 -> Peaceful European civilization based on Christian and liberal democratic values * One centre of power among others – the Pan-Americans, the Britons, the Russians and the East-Asians – who have their own spheres of influence (global balance of power sys.) * Fanclub: Konrad Adenauer, Aristide Briand, Sigmund Freud, Albert Einstein, Otto von Habsburg, Bruno Kreisky, Georges Pompidou or Winston Churchill

Question 38

24. Explain what we mean by ‘The Spirit of the Hague’ 1969, why do we call it a milestone in the European integration process?

Answer 38

* A wave of optimism swept Europe after de Gaulle’s departure * Public support for integration again * Commission and European Parliament were eager to seize the momentum - > “completion” (EC’s own resources (CAP)) - > “deepening” (steps towards EMU) - > “enlargement” (no fixed date, yet) ‘Completion’ • Task: completion of the common market - harmonization of product standards • EC BUDGET: financing the community from a system of “own resources” - tariffs on industrial imports - levies on agricultural imports - approx. 1% of national VATs Luxembourg Treaty 1970: • Budget composition agreed • gave EP and Council decision-making power over the budget Deepening • EMU but also foreign policy, regional policy coordination • Economic and Monetary Union (EMU): French  vehicle to constrain German monetary independence Germans  to assuage French concerns about Ostpolitik Werner Report 1970: to create EMU in 3 stages (1. fixed exchange rates 2. common monetary policy 3. single monetary authority) …was never realized • Collapse of the Bretton-Woods system 1971(-3) - the EC states failed to act together -> divergence - some MS floated their currencies, others didn’t Global Smithsonian Agreement: national currencies fixed to the dollar within +/- 2,25% fluctuation margins • Pompidou pressed for tighter intra-EC band of 1.5% I--> origins of the EC ‘snake in the tunnel’ – convergence of currencies * 1971 – end of the Bretton Woods currency exchange system * 1973 – oil shocks [Arab-Israeli “Yom Kippur” war] * EMU plans failed with the fall of the Bretton-Woods System and the Oil crisis I + II

Question 39

11. When and in reminder of what do we celebrate ‘Europe day’?

Answer 39

Europe Day is a day celebrating "peace and unity in Europe"[1][2] celebrated on 5 May by the Council of Europe and on 9 May by the European Union. The first recognition of Europe Day was by the Council of Europe, introduced in 1964.[3] The European Union later started to celebrate its own European Day[4] in commemoration of the 1950 Schuman Declaration, leading it to be referred to by some as "Schuman Day" or "Day of the united Europe"

Question 40

54. Explain what is an ‘opt-out’, why was it introduced?

Answer 40

occasionally member states negotiate certain opt-outs from legislation or treaties of the European Union, meaning they do not have to participate in certain policy areas. → no member state would be forced to adopt common currency (Stage III) - A policy of “opt-outs” (differentiated integration) - so that Britain and Denmark would not “sabotage” the whole enterprise

Question 41

55. Explain the principle of subsidiarity (in EU integration of course)!

Answer 41

the principle whereby the EU does not take action (except in the areas that fall within its exclusive competence), unless it is more effective than action taken at national, regional or local level. When applied in the context of the EU, the principle of subsidiarity serves to regulate the exercise of the Union's non-exclusive powers. It rules out Union intervention when an issue can be dealt with effectively by Member States themselves at central, regional or local level.

Question 42

56. Describe the ‘Northern/Scandinavian Enlargement’! Which countries joined and why, which ones didn’t, and when did the enlargement take place?

Answer 42

After the 1970s, Europe experienced an economic downturn which led to leaders launching of the Single European Act which set to create a single market by 1992. The effect of this was that EFTA states found it harder to export to the EEC and businesses (including large EFTA corporations such as Volvo) wished to relocate within the new single market making the downturn worse for EFTA. EFTA states began to discuss closer links with the EEC despite its domestic unpopularity * NOR, SWE, CH – economic interest * AT, FIN – also strategic interest of “dropping the anchor” in Europe for good On 1 January 1995 Austria, Finland, and Sweden acceded to the EU marking its fourth enlargement. The Norwegian government lost a second national referendum on membership.

Question 43

57. What are the Copenhagen criteria? Name the criteria and their purpose!

Answer 43

The Copenhagen criteria are the rules that define whether a country is eligible to join the European Union. The criteria require that a state has the institutions to preserve democratic governance and human rights, has a functioning market economy, and accepts the obligations and intent of the EU.[2] - political criteria: stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities; - economic criteria: a functioning market economy and the capacity to cope with competition and market forces; Administrative 3. ability to take on the obligations of membership, including the capacity to effectively implement the rules, standards and policies that make up the body of EU law (the 'acquis'), and adherence to the aims of political, economic and monetary union

Question 44

58. Which countries entered the European Union from Central and Eastern Europe in 2004? Name at least 6!

Answer 44

Czechia, Slovakia, Cyprus, Malta, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia

Question 45

61. How did the Amsterdam treaty reform the EU? What did it fail to do?

Answer 45

1997/1999 member states agreed to transfer certain powers from national governments to the European Parliament across diverse areas was the third major amendment to the arrangements made under the Treaty of Rome (1957). It was largely an exercise in tying up the loose ends left over from the Maastricht Treaty (1992). However, in the ways in which it changed the operation of the Council of the European Union, absorbed the Schengen Convention and increased the role of the EU in home affairs, it pushed forward the model of a supranational European Union at the expense of intergovernmental co-operation. it changed the way that decisions were made in the EU by expanding the number of decisions covered by Qualified Majority Voting (QMV), including on some foreign policy issues. It also created the idea of enhanced co-operation to allow some members to co-operate more closely on areas outside the remit of the EU treaties without unanimous agreement constructive abstention – whereby a member state could opt out of security or foreign affairs without preventing other countries from going ahead. • Schengen Agreement (1985) was incorporated into EU acquis! • Asylum and immigration brought into the first pillar • Creation of the Area of Freedom Security and Justice Transfer of some powers from III. to I. pillar The Treaty of Amsterdam was unable to resolve the three crucial questions for the future of the enlarged Community:3 the composition of the Institutions and especially the size of the Commission, the weighting of votes in the Council and the extension of qualified-majority voting related to the co-decision procedure (despite significant progress made in the last area) The treaty also did not prepare the Union for the upcoming potential enlargement, and the institutions were poorly adapted to deal with this based upon this treaties revisions

Question 46

62. What does ‘differentiated integration’ mean in EU integration terminology?

Answer 46

Whereas in uniform integration, all member states (and only member states) equally participate in all integrated policies, in differentiated integration, member and non-member states participate in EU policies selectively. - Multiple speeds: all eventually reach the same destination, or some end up in a different place or with a different status. States can gain opt-outs and exemptions or exceptions from EU legal provisions: primary or secondary laws, permanent or temporary provisions.

Question 47

63. What was the decisive contribution of the Nice treaty? When did the treaty enter into force?

Answer 47

Tackle the ‘Amsterdam leftovers’ - institutional reform in light of the next enlargement • Introduced no less than a triple (!!!) qualified majority 1. QMV of votes: 74+% 2. Absolute majority of member states 3. Demographic majority: 62+% of EU population (upon request) Number of commissioners = one per MS Effective from 1 February 2003

Question 48

64. Why was there a ‘Convention on Europe’ launched in early 2000s, after a decade of treaty-making? What was its purpose?

Answer 48

Out of dissatisfaction with drafting of previous treaties: • Re-consider EU’s reform and structure after 2004 Enlargement - democracy, transparency, efficiency - role of the national parliaments in EU - simplification of the treaties - clear delimitation of competences between EU and MS Finished in 2003 with a Draft Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe aka the European Constitution for the IGC to negotiate in 2003-2004

Question 49

65. What did the Constitutional treaty suggest: name at least 3 proposals?

Answer 49

• President of the European Council (for 5 years) • Simplify QMV: 2 criteria instead of 3 (as in Nice treaty) -> simple majority 50% of states and 60% of population Minister of Foreign Affairs • SYMBOLS: an official EU flag, anthem, and currency • Incorporation of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (2000) Ending the “pillar structure” through a new delineation of EU/MS competences

Question 50

66. What was the Constitutional Treaty’s fate? How did the ratification go?

Answer 50

It was killed - French and Dutch (founding members) voted no it their respective national referenda other planned referenda were cancelled EU called for ‘a period of reflection’

Question 51

67. Which countries joined the European Union in 2007/2013?

Answer 51

Bulgaria and Romania in 2007 and Croatia in 2013

Question 52

68. What is the relationship between the Constitutional Treaty and the Lisbon treaty? Name at least 4 similarities and 2 differences!

Answer 52

significant difference between the nature of the Lisbon Treaty and the Constitutional Treaty, which is that the constitutional ambition has been abandoned. Unlike the Constitutional Treaty, the Treaty of Lisbon contains no article formally enshrining the supremacy of Union law over national legislation, but a declaration was attached to the Treaty to this effect (Declaration No 17), referring to an opinion of the Council’s Legal Service which reiterates consistent case-law of the Court all mention of the symbols of the EU have been suppressed, including the flag and anthem * A European Council President * Pillar structure gone: no confusion anymore between ‘communities’ and ‘the Union’, only Union remains * Explicit EU/MS competences: exclusive, shared, supporting * Principles of conferred powers, subsidiarity and proportionality * Legal personality for the whole European Union * Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU legally binding

Question 53

69. When did the Lisbon treaty enter into force? How did its ratification go?

Answer 53

``` RATIFICATION Expectation (end of 2008): … as all EU MS have to ratify the treaty before it enters into force • Ireland: obligatory referendum -> ‘NO’ 54% in June 2008 (lack of knowledge - “when in doubt - vote no”) - concessions about the size of the Commission (1 MS each) - onset of the economic crisis helped turn the Irish opinion into a 67% ‘YES’ in 2009 • Poland: waiting with its signature after 2nd Irish referendum • Germany: on hold after Ireland, wait for the Constitutional court ruling, finding: no EU federation yet + it’s still in line with Germany’s Basic law (constitution) • Czech Republic: ratified in both chambers in early 2009 president Klaus’ objection to the Charter of FR (Beneš decrees) - complaint lodged with the Constitutional court - last person to sign in November 2009 -> Treaty entered into force in December 2009 ```

Question 54

70. What is the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union?

Answer 54

The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (CFR) enshrines certain political, social, and economic rights for European Union (EU) citizens and residents into EU law. It was drafted by the European Convention and solemnly proclaimed on 7 December 2000 by the European Parliament, the Council of Ministers and the European Commission. However, its then legal status was uncertain and it did not have full legal effect[1] until the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon on 1 December 2009.

Question 55

71. What is your opinion on ‘Eurospeak’? Is it useful or confusing?

Answer 55

An English language register used by European Union civil servants and politicians, often considered confusing or unnecessarily complex. I feel like it makes European citizens more alienated from European institutions and politicians. It paints the EU as out of touch from ordinary issues and problems.

Question 56

72. What is a ‘democratic deficit’ in relation to the EU governance?

Answer 56

'Democratic deficit', in relation to the European Union, refers to a perceived lack of accessibility to the ordinary citizen, or lack of representation of the ordinary citizen, and lack of accountability of European Union institutions.

Question 57

74. What is the Stability and Growth Pact? Was it useful in preventing the 2009+ economic crisis?

Answer 57

The Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) is a set of rules designed to ensure that countries in the European Union pursue sound public finances and coordinate their fiscal policies. * Disregard for Stability and Growth Pact rules * Some members (GER, FR) broke the rules of the Stability and Growth Pact (Maastricht criteria) even before the crisis (because they themselves voted against their own punishment on ECOFIN Council!)

Question 58

75. How did the Eurozone react to the financial crisis? Name at least 3 measures which were taken in response!

Answer 58

– “bail outs” ECB lowered interest rates Quantitative easing’ – ECB started purchasing PIIGS junk government bonds Austerity measures

Question 59

76. What is the Fiscal Compact?

Answer 59

is an intergovernmental treaty introduced as a new stricter version of the Stability and Growth Pact, signed on 2 March 2012 by all member states of the European Union (EU), except the Czech Republic and the United Kingdom. Despite being an international treaty outside the EU legal framework, all treaty provisions function as an extension to existing EU regulations, utilising the same reporting instruments and organisational structures already created within EU in the three areas: Budget discipline enforced by Stability and Growth Pact (extended by Title III), Coordination of economic policies (extended by Title IV), and Governance within the EMU (extended by Title V).[9] The treaty states that the signatories shall attempt to incorporate the Fiscal Compact into the EU's legal framework, on the basis of an assessment of the experience with its implementation, by 1 January 2018 at the latest.

Question 60

77. What is Brexit? What issues did the British have with the European Union / integration in general? Name at least 2 and explain!

Answer 60

was the withdrawal of the United Kingdom (UK) from the European Union (EU) British people felt that the European union has become too autocratic and dictatorial with its rules and regulations, thus taking Britain sovereignity away. By voting to leave, voters troguht they would "get back control." Immigration was another contecious issue leading up to Brexit referendum. British people felt, that workers from eastern Europe "Polish plummer," were taking their jobes and pushing wages downwards in the United Kingdom. A cherry on top was the fearmongering about possible Turkish accession into the EU (and therefore even greater number of immigrants in the UK)

Question 61

78. Theresa May said: ‘Brexit means Brexit,’ but what does it mean? What were the options for organizing EU-UK relationship after British withdrawal from the EU?

Answer 61

There will be no attempts to remain inside the EU, no attempts to re-join it by the back door, and no second referendum. 1. The “Norwegian model” – remain in the single market (and customs union) …kind of European Economic Area agreement 2. Leave EU but remain in its customs union (like Turkey) 3. Free trade area (like Canada) 4. No deal – uncontrolled “crashing out” of EU (recourse to WTO trade rules) (5. in later stages, revoke the launched Article 50)

Question 62

80. What is the difference between the Council of Europe, European Council and the Council of the European Union?

Answer 62

The Council of Europe (CoE; French: Conseil de l'Europe, CdE) is an international organization founded in the wake of World War II to uphold human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Europe.[3] Founded in 1949, it has 47 member states. The Council of Europe is an entirely separate body[60] from the European Union. It is not controlled by it. Cooperation between the European Union and the Council of Europe has recently been reinforced, notably on culture and education as well as on the international enforcement of justice and Human Rights.[61] In the Council of the EU, informally also known as the Council, government ministers from each EU country meet to discuss, amend and adopt laws, and coordinate policies. ... Together with the European Parliament, the Council is the main decision-making body of the EU. The European Council (informally EUCO) is a collegiate body that defines the overall political directions and priorities of the European Union. It is composed of the heads of state or government of the EU member states, along with the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy also takes part in its meetings.

Question 63

81. Explain shortly what/who is the European Commission and what is its role!

Answer 63

The European Commission (EC) is the executive branch of the European Union, responsible for proposing legislation, enforcing EU laws and directing the union's administrative operations This EU institution operates as a cabinet government, with 27 members of the Commission (informally known as "commissioners")