Handbook on EU Affairs CHIRIMBU Sebastian (ECO-EWC)

8/7/2019 Handbook on EU Affairs CHIRIMBU Sebastian (ECO-EWC)

1/27

A Booklet for

On

European and International Matters

Formator drd. Sebastian CHIRIMBU

2007

______________________________________________


2/27

1

FOREWORD

The European Union means many things to many people. For some it has been at the core of

efforts to help maintain peace over the past 50 years in a continent which in the past has been

riven by the rivalry and suspicion. For others, the EU is primarily about the single market and the

opportunities and benefits this presents to businesses, students, pensioners and holidaymakers.

For others, the EU is more than just a sum of its parts.

But what does it mean or what will it mean for us, the Romanians? It might mean the end of

transition, the beginning of a new stage in hour history, the recognition of our efforts to leave

behind the past and to become a European country, more than geographically. And especially our

hope that the EU will offer opportunities and not restrictions

The present handbook is an auxiliary to the eight training dossiers we have prepared within the

project Strengthening the Administrative Capacity of the Romanian Parliament ending two

months before Romania`s accession to the EU. The book aims not only to assist the work of

practicioners dealing with the EU in their daily work, but also to offer a background in the field

both to future public servants working for the Romanian Parliament and to students or applicants

who attempt to pass the open competitions in order to become a full-fledge official of the

European Union. We wanted to compile a guide that could meet the expactations of all those

interested in European integration; we wanted to provide a comprehensive view of the European

Union, to help our trainees understand the present but also the future direction of the European

Union.

I would like to thank my collegues from the Romanian Parliament I have worked with during the

interractive seminars, my collegues from the College of Europe, Mr. Seren Bork and Ms.

Andreea Coma for offering me the opportunity to work in an international team - European

Consultants Organisation and East West Consulting.

Sebastian Chirimbu

January 2007


3/27

2

Table of contents

Chapter Page

Chapter 1 History of Europrean Integration

1.1 Introduction

1.2 The European Integration Process in a Historical Perspective

1.3 The Foundations

1.4 The Main Institutions and actors in the EU`s policy and decision- making process

4

Chapter 2 Theories of European Integration

2.1 Introduction

2.2 European integration

2.3 The Intellectual Background

2.4 International Relations Theories of European Integration

9

Chapter 3 Key Points on EU`s Institutions

3.1 Introduction

3.2 The Treaties

3.3 The Decision-Making Institutions

3.4 The Pillars

3.5 The Commission

3.6 The European Parliament

3.7 The Council

3.8 The European Court of Justice

3.9 The European Court of Auditors

12

Chapter 4 European Union`s Policies

4.1 Introduction

4.2 The Budget of the European Union

4.3 The Common Market

4.4 Common Agricultural Policy

4.5 Regional Policy

4.6 Environmental Policy

4.7 Economic and Monetary Policy

4.8 Social and Employment

4.9 Justice and Home Affairs

4.10 Common Foreign and Security Policy

4.11 External Trade and Development Policy

18

Chapter 5 The European Union at a Crossroads 28


4/27

3

5.1 Introduction

5.2 The European Union- a growing family

5.3 The New Member States (2004- 2007)

5.4 Elections in the European Parliament

5.5 The New Commission

5.6 Progress on the Lisbon Strategy

5.7 Ratifying the Constitutional Treaty

Chapter 6 Economy of the European Union

6.1 Introduction

6.2 The Economics of the European Union Market

6.3 The Economics of EU Competition Policy

6.4 Trade Policies of the European Union

6.5 Regional Policy in the European Union

34

Chapter 7 European Union Law

7.1 Introduction

7.2 The Creation of a Union Legal Order

7.3 The Community Legal Order

7.4 The Charter of Fundamental Rights

48

Chapter 8 International Communication

8.1 Introduction

8.2 Approaches to theorizing International Communication

8.3 Internation Communication Theory in Transition- Parameters of a New Global

Public Sphere

8.4 Eurobarometer nowadays

8.5 Political Public Relations

8.6 Mass Media and Communication

Chapter 9 The European Union at the Beginning of the 21st century 69

Appendix

1

Appendix

2

EU Chronology in a Nutschel

Multiple Choice Items

Answers

Recommended Bibliography and websites

74

76

88

91


5/27

4

CONCLUSION

THE EUROPEAN UNION

AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 21st CENTURY

_______________________________________________________________________

The globalising world economy, the re-drafting of the global economic map, the appearance of

new competitors, changes in international political relations and other global challenges have not

only modified the external conditions of the EUs development but they have also impacted on the

relations of Member State interests. At the beginning of the 21st century, we are witnessing the

rearrangement of power centres in the global economy. One of the main influencing factors in this

process is the changing role and competitive status of the European Union in the global economy,

with particular regard to the new Member States. In the global system of the 21st century the

conditions of EU development have been substantially modified. In the last period of the 20th

century, the unity of global capitalism was re-established and the capitalist world market became a

global system again. However, the global system which evolved by the beginning of the 21st

century differs in several areas and to a significant extent from the capitalism whose unity was first

broken by the October Revolution in Russia, then by the social changes and changes in the power

structure that ensued after the Second World War. The global capitalism of the 21st century as a

system is substantially more diverse then it was at the beginning of the previous century. The

social and economic changes in the 19th and 20th century resulted in the American-type of

regulated free market economy. In Western Europe the social market economy emerged while the

co-operative corporative market economy became dominant in Asia. Various hybrids have

developed in the developing world and in former socialist countries. In the different genres and

reincarnations of capitalism, historical and social specificities, development gaps and other

economic features play a significant role. These models influence the character and factors of

global competition considerably. In the course of the transformation nearly two billion producersand consumers formerly active outside the capitalist world market were integrated into the market

system. This also facilitated the evolution of a new era of global economic development by the

21st century. This is indicated by the transformation of its regional structure. One of the main signs

of these changes is the rapid growth in the weighting of Asia in global production and international

trade, as well as in capital flows. The region is characterised by ever-increasing global competition

and new forms of co-operation. How the EU will prevail in the coming decade among the


6/27

5

heavyweight competitors of the global economy will depend on the cumulative effect of various

factors. The growth rate of the GNP is only one of these factors. Due to the accession of new

Member States, the EU has diversified further as well, ethnically and economically.

European integration had started before integration theory gained popularity. One has to bear in

mind, however, that the idea of European integration was launched with modest objectives in the

1950s. Except for some visionary statesmen, like Jean Monnet and some others, both the subject

matters to be covered by integration and the geographical scope was limited. Six countries aimed

at establishing a free trade zone and not much else was on their "plate" when they signed the

Rome Treaty on 25 March 1957.

Since then it has been a success story of Europe in many senses of the word.

- It has deepened economic interdependence among the member states, their trade relations

and investments are directed to each other to a much larger extent than before;

- It is another aspect of the same matter that the difference between the level of economic

development of the member countries has diminished through a central redistribution

mechanism;

- Its scope of activity has extended to related areas which facilitate further economic integration.

The free movement of persons, services, the introduction of common currency and the future

reduction of agricultural subsidies, though the interpretation of those steps may vary, serve for

the global competitiveness of the EU and its members;

- It has also expanded to areas which only indirectly affect the core of the integration process,

like cooperation in home (primarily police) affairs, and the concept of common foreign and

security policy;

- The number of member states has increased from 6 to 15 in 38 years and plans exist to

continue the process;

- It is of similar importance that no state of Europe can escape to define its relations with the EU

any longer. The Union has become one of the centres of gravity of the evolution of Europe.

The achievements of the EC/EU in the last four decades are remarkable and reflected in the fact

that the EU can no longer be described with the categories which are traditionally used for

international organisations. The supranational nature of the EU helps understand the institutional

relations between the Union and its members. No doubt, in certain areas supranationality is

resented by certain members. Again in other areas one can conclude that the EU starts

resembling of a confederation. The introduction of the common currency and later the plan to

harmonise some tax levels show into that direction. Even though the tendency can formally still be

denied as the major decisions of the process are taken by the Council where heads of states and

governments assemble at the meetings. Consequently, member states decide on the strategic

issues. The activity of the European Central Bank shows in the opposite direction, however. On


7/27

6

the basis of the process one can deny the supranational character of the European Union but at

least as far as its first pillar is concerned supranationality is undeniable as far as the substance is

concerned.

The European Economic Community/Union has evolved unevenly throughout the last decades.

Ideas appeared and remained to be put into practice for years, sometimes decades. Many of

those ideas which are to be put into practice nowadays have been floating around since the 1950s

or the 1970s. The idea of common defence belongs to the former, common currency to the latter.

It is important to see clearly, however, that prosperous activities have concentrated in those areas

which are more closely linked to the original economic objectives of the EC.

There is no reason to doubt that emphasis will continue to be put on those areas which are

closely related to the economic development of the Union or at least belong to the periphery of

economic activity. This results in a situation familiar in history that the "strong leg" of the European

Union gets even stronger whereas the weak ones do not grow muscle.

Considerations for the Future

The European Union has practically expanded the four freedoms on which it has been based to all

its member countries by the late 1990s. The free movement of goods, persons, capital and

services are guaranteed among the fifteen, the transition periods have expired. Consequently, the

Union can look ahead and focus its attention on its most important agenda points. They are only

indirectly related to the external political role of the Union, though certain aspects of EU foreign

policy are high on the agenda. Bearing in mind the heavy workload the issues on the priority list

represent it is likely that there will be issues, among them some of the controversial ones which

will be put to the back-burner. One can take it for granted that the deepening of cooperation in the

area of common foreign and security policy will be among them.

On the priority list the following topics will certainly appear:

- The continuation of institutional reform and the reduction of the so-called democratic deficit;

- The introduction of the common currency, completing the development agreed upon in the

Maastricht Treaty;

- The reform of the budget of the EU including the new financial perspective, the reform of the

agricultural policy, and (co-)financing the development of the future members of the Union;

- The definition of the role of the EU in the world at large, including enlargement, pre-accession

strategy, the transatlantic dialogue, the relationship with countries neighbouring the Union, and

the exchange initiated not long ago with Asia.

In the traditional sense of the word those matters have not much to do with security. One can, of

course, start out from a broad, nearly all-embracing definition of security like the OSCE does and

then nearly all the above matters gain relevance in international security. It is necessary to remind

of the uneven evolution of European integration. There are periods when European integration


8/27

7

moves forward very quickly and there are years when the achievements are stabilised, or some

identified as blind alleys.

Since the Maastricht Treaty it seems not much happened in treaty-making. The norms adopted in

the Amsterdam Treaty reflected much more that the "parties agreed to differ" on some major

issues than anything else.

The evolution of the Union in the last seven years or so took place primarily in the implementation

of the economic and monetary union, in the consolidation of the movement of foreigners in the

territory of the EU and its contribution to the stabilisation of the area adjacent to the member

states.

At the beginning of the 21st century the European Union faces twin challenges: the institutional

challenge, linked to the processes of greater integration and expansion, and the structural

challenge, which will in the medium-run determine the place of the EU in the world.

The European Union has the best performance in areas which are related to the economic

integration of its member states and Europe as a whole. Its scope of activity has broadened

gradually and now extends also to areas which contribute to the general economic performance,

like the free movement of persons, cooperation in home affairs, etc. It has also established the

technical conditions for the functioning of the Union as a highly integrated economic area, ranging

from standardisation to the mutual recognition of diplomas and other degrees.

With the introduction of the Euro a major step has been taken in the direction of a multi-speed

Europe. As the institutional and decision-making system is conceived currently those countries

which will not join the Euro-zone forthwith will be highly motivated to get from the periphery to the

centre of the Union.

It has successfully integrated one and a half times more countries than the original number of

member states. Some countries which have not joined regard some regulations of the Union as

examples and adopt "mirror legislation". With its more than 370 million population, combined GDP

and an increasing number of European countries willing to join it has become the centre of gravity

of European economy and politics. Its contribution to European security is dependent upon the

definition of the term "security". It has certainly contributed to stability in Europe, for the first thirty

years of its existence in Western Europe and it has started to project it to the eastern half of the

continent in the last decade. Bearing in mind the number of countries which aspire for

membership, their historically weak democratic traditions and, more importantly, their relative

economic backwardness and low per capita GDP this process will be of decisive importance for

the evolution of the EU in the coming decades.


9/27

8

Enlargement and the introduction of the common currency will be the two decisive projects of the

EU in the coming decade or so. This will soon be followed by the harmonisation of direct tax

levels.

The European Communities/Union has always evolved unevenly. This will not be different in the

future either. Bearing in mind the complexity and the demanding character of the projects above

the EU will remain in a phase of consolidation and not launch major new projects. It is likely that

the contradictions between different member states on major issues like enlargement, the

financing of the Union, including the size of central redistribution through the EU budget, will get

sharper. This is a side-effect of the slowing pace of growth as well as of the fact that the third

phase of the EMU, the introduction of the common currency and the power of the ECB, weaken

the economic sovereignty of those member states which join the Euro-zone. Thus they will have to

find some "compensation" by reducing the central redistribution through the EU budget. It is

particularly unlikely that the EU would move ahead in areas which are not related to the major

projects, like the introduction of a high profile common security policy or common defence. Its

contribution to European security will continue to focus on the stability of the continent in the broad

sense of the word. Bearing in mind the character of some recent domestic conflicts and crises in

Europe it is clear that not only ethnic tension may undermine stability. There is no long-term

stability without some prosperity and peoples can react violently if they are deprived of the

prospect of prosperity. The Union and its member countries through spreading the methods of

effective governance and macro-economic management may make a subtle though essential

contribution to the stability of Europe.

During the period of consolidation of the achievements of the Union there will be voices in the EU

which give priority to the approach of subsidiarity that would reduce the power of the Union and

increase that of the member states. This will reduce the prospect of a major development of

common security and defence policy. The member states continue to remain sensitive about

relinquishing their influence in the perceived core of sovereignty, foreign policy and defence.

**

In addition to preparing and executing the new enlargement (or the Eastern enlargement) and

elaborating institutional reforms leading to a Constitutional Treaty, the evolution of the EU in the

early 21st century has been principally characterised by efforts aimed primarily at building an

economic and political union. Whithout these efforts, the enlarged Union and iots Member States

would be unable to maintain or strengthen their political and economic competitiveness in the

world. At the beginning of the 21st century, as the European Union is accomplishing its biggest

ever enlargement while facing its most critical ever political, economic and social challenges due

to the globalisation, harmonising the objectives of deepening and widening is more important than

ever before. The 50 years of European integration, however, prove that the process of deepening

and widening reinforce each other.


10/27

9

APPENDIX 1EU CHRONOLOGY IN A NUTSHELL

______________________________________________________________________________

1950May Schuman Plan for coal and steel announced (Schuman Declaration)November Council of Europe adopts European Convention on Human Rights1951April Treaty of Paris signed, establishing the European Coal and Steel Community1952May European Defence Community (EDC) Treaty signed in ParisJuly ECSC begins operation1953September European Convention on Human Rights comes into force1954October Treaty creating Western European Union

1955October Monnet sets up Action Committee for the United States of Europe1957April Treaties of Rome establishing the EEC and Euratom signed1958January EEC and Euratom begin operationsJuly CAP system of common prices agreed at Stresa conference1959January customs duties within the EEC cut by 10%1961August Britain, Ireland and Denmark apply for membership of the ECDecember Commission convenes first conference on European regional policy1962April Norway applies to join the EEC1967July Sweden applies for EEC membership1968July Customs Union completed and common external tariff established1969December Hague summit: the relaunching of Europe1970June membership negotiations begin with Britain, Ireland, Denmark and Norway1972January completion of membership negotiations with Britain, Ireland, Denmark and Norway;Accession Treaties signed

March European Parliament accepts Commission proposals for creation of EC regional policy1973January first enlargement of EC from six to nine member states1975March first European Council meeting in DublinJune Greek application for membership of EC1976July Opening of Greek accession negotiations1977March Portuguese application for membership of the ECJuly Spanish application for membership of the EC


11/27

10

1978October Opening of accession negotiations with Portugal1979May Greek accession treaty signedJune first direct elections to the European Parliament1981January Greece becomes a member of the EC

1983January Stuttgart European Council signs Solemn Declaration on European Union1984February European Parliament approves draft treaty on European UnionJune Elections to European Parliament1985February Brussels European Council mandates Commission to produce a plan on the singleEuropean marketJune Portuguese and Spanish Accession Treaties signed1986January Portugal and Spain join the ECFebruary Single European Act signed by foreign ministers in Luxemburg (nine states) andsubsequently the Hague (the remaining three states)

1987April Turkey applies for EC membershipJuly Single European Act comes into effect1989June elections to the European Parliament1990July stage one of Economic and Monetary Union begins; Cyprus and Malta apply for ECmembership1991July Sweden applies for EC membershipDecember Maastricht European Council agrees principles of Treaty on the European Union1992February Maastricht Treaty on European Union Signed

March Finland applies for EC membershipMay Switzerland applies for EC membershipNovember Norway applies for EC membership1994January stage 2 of Economic and Monetary Union begins; start of European Economic andMonetary area (EEA)April Hungary and Poland apply for EU membershipJune elections to European Parliament1995January Austria, Finland and Sweden Become members of the EU; Jacques Santer becomesPresident of the European Commission; World Trade Organization (WTO) begins to operateMarch a Stability Pact signed by 52 states from western and eastern Europe in an attempt tostabilize the political and security situation in eastern Europe

June Romania and Slovakia apply for EU membershipOctober Latvia applies for EU membershipNovember Estonia applies for EU membershipDecember Lithuania and Bulgaria apply for EU membership; Madrid European Council decideson Euro as the name for the single currency1996January Czech Republic applies for EU membershipJune Slovenia applies for EU membership1997October Treaty of Amsterdam signed


12/27

11

1998March opening of accession negotiations with Cyprus, Czech Republic Estonia, Hungary Polandand SloveniaMay special European Council meeting in Brussels to launch the single currency1999January the Euro comes into operation, although national notes and coins remain in circulation

until 2002

May Treaty of Amsterdam enters into force; Prodi becomes President of the CommissionJune elections to European Parliament2000March special European Council held in Lisbon agrees to a new EU strategy on employment,economic reform and social cohesion and makes a commitment to turn the EU into the mostcompetitive knowledge-based economy in the world by 2010December Nice European Council agrees the Treaty of Nice and formally proclaims the Charter ofFundamental Rights of the European Union2002January citizens start using Euro notes and coins in the twelve participating member states2003February Treaty of Nice enters into forceDecember proposals of the Constitutional Convention presented to the European Council

2004May ten new member states join the EUJune elections to European parliament marked by record low turn-out; European Councilnominates Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Manuel Durao Baroso as the next President of theCommissionDecember heads of the Commission agree to open negotiations with Turkey2005February Spanish people vote to approve the Constitutional TreatyApril Bulgaria and Romania sign Accession TreatiesMay French people vote to reject the Constitutional TreatyJune Dutch people vote to reject the Constitutional Treaty

2007

January : Romania and Bulgaria have joined the European Union


13/27

12

APPENDIX 2 MULTIPLE CHOICE ITEMS

____ 1. What is Europe?

a. Geographically a continent, a territoryb. A conceptc. A system of values

____ 2. What is the modern meaning of democracy?

a. Representationb. A system of governmentc. Free elections

____ 3. Does Europe politically mean the same as the EU?

a. The EU represents part of Europeb. Europe includes the EUc. Europe covers more than the EU

____ 4. What are Europes basic economic objectives?

a. Economic developmentb. Prosperityc. Economic travelling

____ 5. Why did 6 European countries intend to rebuild Europe according to a new order?

a. To put an end to conflictsb. To have Germany under controlc. To consolidate co-operation

____ 6. What are the 3 treaties which consolidated the European Community?

a. The Maastricht Treaty; The Treaty of Luxembourg; The Treaty of Niceb. The ECSC, The EEC and Euratom

____ 7. What was the purpose of the single economic market?

a. Free movementb. Competitionc. No internal barriers to trade and investment

____ 8. What was the basic aim of creating a united Europe?

a. To promote co-operation among its membersb. To integrate other countriesc. To create a single economic market


14/27

13

____ 9. What countries were the founders of the ECSC?

a. Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, West Germany, Italyb. Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Great Britainc. Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Spain____ 10. When was the ECSC Treaty signed?

a. In 1951b. In 1957c. In 1958

____ 11. What was the aim of the ECSC Treaty?

a. Through the Treaty a matter exclusively for the nation-state passed into the handsof a supranational organization

b. The intention was a political unionc. To produce steel under control

____ 12. Why is the Maastricht Treaty known as The Treaty on European Union?

a. Because the European Communitys name was changed into that of theEuropean Union

b. Because the major decisions regarding the new organisation were madeThere

c. Because of the single currency

____ 13. What did the Maastricht Treaty establish?

a. The timetable of a single currencyb. Common foreign and security policec. Common economic and monetary policies, criminal justice

____ 14. What countries adopted the euro?

a. Italy, France, Germany, the U.K., Belgium, Denmarkb. Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal Germany, Francec. Italy, Greece, Sweden, Finland, Portugal, Germany

____ 15. What countries rejected using the euro?

a. The Netherlands, Denmark, Austriab. Denmark, the U.K., Swedenc. Sweden, Austria, Greece

____ 16. When did the euro enter into everybody life use?

a. January 2002b. July 2002c. December 2002

____ 17. Why was the euro first used in banking operations?

a. To settle a fixed rate of exchange in a particular stateb. To facilitate banking operations across Member Statesc. To level banking operations


15/27

14

____ 18. What principles operate in the Union?

a. Democracy, rule of law, self-determinationb. Free elections, prosperity, autonomyc. Human rights, non-discrimination, tolerance____ 19. What areas does the 1stpillar refer to?a. Customs union

b. Single marketc. Citizenship

a. a,b. b,cc. a,b,c

____ 20. What does the first pillar embody?

a. The community jurisdictionb. The 4 freedomsc. The single market

____ 21. What is the core of the single market?

a. Precedence over national lawb. The 4 freedomsc. Free circulation of people

____ 22. What kind of policy do asylum and immigration refer to?

a. Social policyb. Financial policyc. Structural policy

____ 23. How have the 4 free movements, i.e. of goods, workers, services and capital urged

competition?

a. Enlarging the marketb. Winners will win a competition because they offer better conditionsc. Supply meets demand

____ 24. Why is competition vital within the Union?

a. Competition means progressb. Competition means the necessity to continually developc. Competition forces less-developed countries to make efforts to develop

____ 25. What did the 2ndpillar refer to?

a. Common foreign and security policyb. Unanimously-made decisionsc. Immigration

____ 26. Why did the 2ndpillar stipulate the aid to non-Member State?

a. To help candidate states align with Member State economicallyb. To alleviate economic disparitiesc. To avoid conflicts between rich and poor countries


16/27

15

____ 27. Why has the 2ndpillar been referred to as Common Foreign and Security Policy?

a. Because it stipulates peacekeepingb. Because it stipulates democracy and human rightsc. Because it provides for disarmament____ 28. Why did the 2ndpillar mention financial aspects of defence and Europes security

framework?

a. Because it refers to security policy (disarmament, defence, security)b. Because it refers to foreign policy, i.e. peacekeeping and human rightsc. Because it expands the concept of security to the whole continent

____ 29. What Member States are not members of NATO?

a. Austriab. Swedenc. Portugal

____ 30. What are the European economic shared standards?a. Sharing of prosperity

b. Growth in living standardsc. Diminish the Unemployment Rate

a. a,bb. b,cc. a,b,c

____ 31. What are the key statistical variables used to assess a countrys development?

a. Economic developmentb. GDP, Unemployment Rate, Inflation Ratec. GDP per capita

____ 32. What categories are known as vulnerable people?

a. The elderly, the poor, the orphansb. Womenc. The disabled, orphans

____ 33. What difference can be made between the definition of the State and the definition ofa political regime?

a. State = ensemble of institutions, political regime = type of rulingb. State = ensemble of institutions, political regime = form of government

or administration

____ 34. What conditions should a State meet to be considered autonomous?

a. Free to decide its goalsb. Free to decide and pursue its goalsc. Have the capacity to achieve its goals

____ 35. What gives power to the State?

a. The capacity to achieve its goals


17/27

16

b. Its institutionsc. Observance of the laws

____ 36. What countries received Marshall Aid from the US after World War II?

a. Germany, Italy, Russiab. Western countriesc. The U.K.

____ 37. Where was the timetable for the introduction of the single currency first discussed?

a. In the Maastricht Treatyb. In the Luxembourg Treatyc. In the Nice Treaty

____ 38. What did the 3rdpillar stipulate?a. Citizens freedomb. Security

c. Justice

a. a,bb. b,cc. a,c

____ 39. What were the means by which citizens are afforded freedom, security and justice?

a. Through the cooperation between the police and citizensb. Through the Member States cooperation in justicec. Through the Member States cooperation in home affairs

____ 40. How can terrorism, trafficking in human beings, illicit drugs and arms trafficking,

corruption and fraud, racism and xenophobia be named?

a. Crimeb. Money-laundering

____ 41. When was the decision to enlarge the Union with the first ex-Communist countriestaken?

a. In the Treaty of Luxembourgb. In the Maastricht Treatyc. In the Nice Treaty

____ 42. Why did the European Council take the decision to welcome eastern and central

European countries after the introduction of the single currency?

a. To ensure financial and monetary stability firstb. To level the monetary system firstc. To avoid 2 harsh operations simultaneously

____ 43. What are the criteria a candidate state must meet to join the Union?

a. To meet the economic criteria


18/27

17

b. To meet the political criteriac. To apply the laws adopted in practice

____ 44. What does the acquis communautaire mean?

a. To adhere to the aims of political, economic and monetary union?b. To be able to adopt to entire body of the EU lawc. To have stable institutions guaranteeing democracy, rule of law, human

rights and protection of minorities

____ 45. What is the key economic criterion an applicant country must meet?

a. To have a market economyb. To have a functional market economyc. To be able to cope with competition

____ 46. What must an applicant country do in terms of law before accession?

a. To pass its own laws incorporating the acquis communautaireb. To adopt its own laws

____ 47. What has enlargement meant for the citizens?

a. Enlargement first attempted to create a new type of citizenship on acontinental scale

b. It meant strengthening of cohesionc. It meant enlarging the cooperation at the continental scale

____ 48. What do structural policies refer to?

a. Economyb. Aid backward regionsc. Help for poor people

____ 49. What has the regional action consisted of?

a. Payments to disadvantaged regionsb. Non-repayable aidc. Aid for restructuring

____ 50. Restructuring envisages regions where:

a. The GDP is less than 75% of the EU average

b. Rural areas are decliningc. The GNP is half of the EU average

____ 51. Is the cohesion fund used to:

a. Transport infrastructureb. Environmental projectsc. Training

____ 52. Is the regional aid used to help:


19/27

18

a. Young peopleb. Long-term unemployedc. Farmers

a. a,bb. b,c

c. a,cd. a,b,c

____ 53. What was the PHARE Programme aimed at:

a. Helping administration to implement the Unions acquisb. Setting up regulatory bodiesc. Setting up an institutional control

____ 54. What does the Structural Instrumental for Pre-Accession (ISPA) support?a. Investment in transportb. Environmental infrastructurec. Training

a. a,b,cb. a,bc. a,cd. b,c

____ 55. What has the SAPARD programme facilitated?

a. Adaptation of agricultural structuresb. Development of rural areasc. Improving the competitiveness of the agrifood sector

____ 56. Why was it necessary that the Union should tighten the purse strings?

a. To avoid excessive deficitsb. To maintain budgetary disciplinec. To provide funds for candidate countries

____ 57. What did the Internet facilities in the US?a. Businessb. Transfer of knowledgec. Communication

a. Cb. a,bc. a,c

d. b,c

____ 58. What was the purpose of creating a European research area?

a. To link universities and research institutes togetherb. To link science libraries and schools togetherc. To link research to education

____ 59. Who have programmes such as SOCRATES and LEONARDO helped?


20/27

19

a. Students and teachersb. Researchersc. Young people

____ 60. Is there any country in Europe which has no written constitution?

a. Noneb. Somec. One

____ 61. Have the Member States ceded some of their sovereign powers to the powers of theUnion?

a. Yes, as the Union has a common foreign and security policyb. Yes, as the Union operates in a single marketc. No, every Member State preserve its sovereignty

____ 62. What is the nature of the Unions tasks?

a. Technicalb. Economicc. Political

____ 63. What are the EU institutions having tasks related to law?

a. Council, Commissionb. Parliamentc. a+b

____ 64. Which among the EU institutions establishes policy guidelines?

a. Council

b. Parliamentc. Commission

____ 65. Which of the EU institution is the EUs main decision-taker?

a. Parliamentb. EU Councilc. Commission

____ 66. For how long does each Member State preside over the Council?

a. 5 yearsb. 6 months

c. as long as necessary

____ 67. How many representatives does each Members State have in every Councilmeeting?

a. Oneb. How many are considered necessaryc. Proportional to the number of the inhabitants of that state

____ 68. Who does the Council share legislative power with?


21/27


22/27

21

____ 78. Does the Commission adopt regulations?

a. Yes, it doesb. No, it ensures that the regulations adopted by the Council are implemented

____ 79. Who is responsible for common policies?

a. The Councilb. The commission

____ 80. What happens to the Commission if Parliament passes motion of censure?

a. The Commission has to resignb. Nothing

____ 81. Who manages the budget?

a. The Councilb. The Commission

____ 82. Who first supported the ideas of making a European federation?

a. W. Churchillb. J. Monnet

____ 83. What changes did the Berlin wall fall bring about?

a. The fall of Communismb. The separation of Yugoslaviac. The Soviet Union lost part of its influence in Europe

____ 84. Who initiated the setting up of the Organisation for European Economic Cooperation?

a. Western countriesb. The US

____ 85. What do the EUs institutions aim at?

a. At bringing real and lasting peace to a large area of the planetb. At fighting against terrorism and organised crime

____ 86. What did the 1980s recession bring?a. Equal access to justiceb. Equal protection by law

a. A

b. Bc. a,b

____ 87. What did the 1980s recession bring?

a. A wave of euro-pessimismb. The increased need for enlargement

____ 88. Is union similar to federation?


23/27

22

a. No, union means merging up to the complete dissolution of diversityb. Yes, almost the same, i.e. putting entities together

____ 89. Who can become a judge or an Advocate General in the European Court of Justice?

a. Only lawyersb. Only those electedc. Only persons whose independence is beyond doubt and who pass

qualifications required the highest judicial officers

____ 90. What are the tasks of the European Court of Justice?

a. To interpret the Unions lawb. To further shape the Unions law

____ 91. What tasks does the Court of Auditors have?

a. To monitor collection of revenue

b. To monitor spendingc. To examine financial management

____ 92. What is a safeguard clause ?

a. A rapid action measure when new Member States fail to fulfil their obligationsb. A way new Member States can ensure that they receive all EU funds they are

entitled to

____ 93. What is the name of the integration theory according to which government tasks aregradually and continuously transferred from the national to the supra-national lecel ?

a. Institutionalism

b. Functionalityc. Subsidiarityd. Integrationalism

____ 94. Which of the following elements was not included in Agenda 2000?.

a. Transatlantic relations after enlargementb. Reinforcement of the pre-accession strategyc. The challenge of enlargementd. The impact of the enlargement on the EU as a whole.

____ 95. What is the CFCU?

a. Central Financing and Contracting Unitb. Co-Financing of Community and Union projectsc. Closed Framework of Customs Unitsd. Counter Fraud and Cheating Unit

____ 96. In relation to enlargement, what is the so-called twinning?

a. Special co-operation between citiesb. Bilateral trade agreementsc.Secondment programme for experts


24/27

23

d. Cross-border co-operation programs

ANSWERS (multiple choice items)

1. ANS: B

2. ANS: B

3. ANS: A

4. ANS: B

5. ANS: C

6. ANS: B

7. ANS: A

8. ANS: A

9. ANS: A

10. ANS: A

11. ANS: A

12. ANS: A

13. ANS: A

14. ANS: B

15. ANS: B

16. ANS: A

17. ANS: B

18. ANS: A

19. ANS: C

20. ANS: A

21. ANS: B

22. ANS: A

23. ANS: B

24. ANS: C

25. ANS: A

26. ANS: B

27. ANS: A

28. ANS: C

29. ANS: B

30. ANS: A

31. ANS: B

32. ANS: A

33. ANS: B

34. ANS: A

35. ANS: A

36. ANS: B

37. ANS: A

38. ANS: B

39. ANS: B

40. ANS: A

41. ANS: A

42. ANS: A

43. ANS: A


25/27

24

44. ANS: B

45. ANS: B

46. ANS: A

47. ANS: A

48. ANS: B

49. ANS: C

50. ANS: A

51. ANS: A

52. ANS: A

53. ANS: A

54. ANS: B

55. ANS: A

56. ANS: B

57. ANS: B

58. ANS: C

59. ANS: C

60. ANS: C

61. ANS: A

62. ANS: C

63. ANS: C

64. ANS: A

65. ANS: A

66. ANS: B

67. ANS: A

68. ANS: A

69. ANS: B

70. ANS: A

71. ANS: B

72. ANS: A

73. ANS: A

74. ANS: A

75. ANS: A

76. ANS: A

77. ANS: A

78. ANS: B

79. ANS: A

80. ANS: A

81. ANS: B

82. ANS: A

83. ANS: A

84. ANS: B

85. ANS: A

86. ANS: C

87. ANS: A

88. ANS: A

89. ANS: C

90. ANS: A

91. ANS: A

92. ANS: A

93. ANS: B

94. ANS: A


26/27

25

95. ANS: A

96. ANS: C

Recommended Bibliography and Websites_______________________________________________________________________

1. Bache Ian, George Stephen, Politics in the European Union, 2006, Oxford University Press,

Oxford

2. Baneth Andras, Cserey Gyula, The Ultimate EU Test Book, 2006, John Harper Publishing,

London

3. Brbulescu Iordan Gheorghe, UE de la naional la federal, 2005, Editura Tritonic, Bucureti

4. Iordan Gheorghe Brbulescu, UE de la economic la politic, 2005, Editura Tritonic, Bucureti

5. Bidilean Vidu, Uniunea European (Instituii, Politici, Activiti), 2000, Editura Agroprint,

Timioara

6. Chirimbu Despina, Chirimbu Sebastian, Institutional Discourse (The European Union), 2006,

Editura Fundaiei Romnia de Mine, Bucureti

7. Chirimbu Sebastian, Comportament european de afaceri, 2005, Unitatea de extensie-

UAMV, Timioara

8. The European Union What`s in it for me?, 1996, DG ICCAP, European Commission,

Brussels

9. Fontaine Pascal, Europe in 12 Lessons, 2001, www.europa.eu.int

10. Haas Ernst, The Uniting of Europe: Political, Social and Economic Forces 1950-57, 1958,

Library of World Affairs, London

11. Hamf Dominique, Thomas Anja, Chirimbu Sebastian, European Institutions (training course

for the Romanian Parliament), 2006, EWC-ECO, Bucureti

12. Handbook on EU Affairs, 2005, Project RO-2002/000-586.03.01.04.02 (Initial Training in

European Affairs for Civil Servants), Bucharest

13. Hine Robert, Chirimbu Sebastian, Economics of the EU (training course for the Romanian

Parliament), 2006, EWC-ECO, Bucureti

14. Jinga Ion, Popescu Andrei, Dicionar de termeni comunitari, 2000, Editura Lumina Lex,

Bucureti

15. Jinga Ion, Uniunea European- Realiti i perspective, 1999, Editura Lumina Lex, Bucureti

16. Manualul Consiliului Europei, 1999, Centrul de Informare i Documentare al Consiliului

Europei, Bucureti

17. Moravcsik Andrew, The Choice for Europe: social Purpose and State Power from Messina to

Maastricht, 1998, UCL Press, London

18. Websites:


27/27

- http://europa.eu.int ; http://europarl.eu.int ; http://ue.eu.int ; http://eca.eu.int

http://europa.eu.int/constitution ; http://www.euabc.com ; http://euobserver.com

Handbook on EU Affairs CHIRIMBU Sebastian (ECO-EWC)

Documents

Transcript of Handbook on EU Affairs CHIRIMBU Sebastian (ECO-EWC)