The European Union History, Institutions and Policy Making Process Prepared by Muhamad SHABAREK ( 1 ) A.D. in European Studies SKILLS Raqqa, 28/11/2011What is the European Union The European Union is a unique economic and political partnership between 27 European countries. It has delivered half a century of peace, stability, and prosperity, helped raise living standards, launched a single European currency, and is progressively building a single Europe-wide market in which people, goods, services, and capital move among Member States as freely as within one country.500 Million People in 27 CountriesEU Symbols The European flag: The 12 stars in a circle symbolise the ideals of unity, solidarity and harmony among the peoples of Europe. The European anthem: The melody used to symbolise the EU comes from the Ninth Symphony composed in 1823 by Ludwig Van Beethoven. Europe Day: The ideas behind the European Union were first put forward on 9 May 1950 by French foreign minister Robert Schuman. This is why 9 May is celebrated as a key date for the EU. The EU motto: "United in diversity"Why the European Union * The EU’s mission in the 21st century is to: maintain and build on the peace established between its member states; bring European countries together in practical cooperation; ensure that European citizens can live in security; promote economic and social solidarity; preserve European identity and diversity in a globalised world; promulgate the values that Europeans share.The Origins of the EU Making war unthinkable among Europeans Together managing main materials used in war: coal and steel» 9 May 1950: Schuman calls for a European Coal and Steel Community 6 founding States decide to share and co-manage coal and steel.Founders New ideas for lasting peace and prosperity...Ten Historic Steps 1951: The European Coal and Steel Community is set up by the six founding members. 1957: The same six countries sign the Treaties of Rome, setting up the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom). 1973: The Communities expand to nine member states and introduce more common policies. 1979: The first direct elections to the European Parliament. 1981: The first Mediterranean enlargement. 1992: The European single market becomes a reality, 1993: The Treaty of Maastricht establishes the European Union (EU). 2002: The euro comes into circulation. 2007: The EU has 27 member states. 2009: The Lisbon Treaty comes into force, changing the way the EU ( ) J works.The treaties — basis for democratic cooperation built on law3 Pillars (levels of competences)Enlargement: from six to 27 countries 4952 an 1973 1981 1995 2004 ‘ Candidates: Gipati, leland, Former ugostaw Republic of Macedonia Montenegra,Membership Conditions (a) Legal requirements. (b) The ‘Copenhagen criteria’ In 1993, following requests from the former communist countries to join the Union, the European Council laid down three criteria they should fulfill so as to become members. By the time they join, new members must have: 1. stable institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities; 2. a functioning market economy and the capacity to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the Union; 3. the ability to take on the obligations of membership, including support for the aims of the Union. They must have a public administration capable of applying and managing EU laws in practice. coNeighbourhood policy Enlargements in 2004 and 2007 pushed the European Union's borders further east and south, raising the question of how the EU should handle relations with its new neighbours, Stability and security are an issue in the regions beyond its borders, and the European Union wished to avoid the emergence of new dividing lines between itseif and these neighbouring regions. For example, action was needed to tackle emerging threats to security such as illegal immigration, the disruption of energy supplies, environmental degradation, organised cross-border crime and terrorism. So the EU developed a new European neighbourhood policy (ENP), governing relations with its neighbours to the east (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine), and to the south (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, the occupied Palestinian territory, Syria and Tunisi Almost all these countries have bilateral ‘partnership and cooperation’ agreements or association agreements with the EU, under which they are committed to common values (such as democracy, human rights and the rule of law) and to making progress towards a market economy, sustainable development and reducing poverty. The EU, for its part, offers financial, technical and eee nomic assistance, easier access to visas and a range of measures to help these countries jevelop. Since 1995, the southern Mediterranean countries have been linked to the European Union through I, economic and diplomatic ties known as the ‘Barcelona process, later re-named the Euro- Mediterranean Partnership. At a sumimit meeting in Paris in July 2008, this partnership was relaunched as the Union for the Mediterranean, bringing together the 27 member states of the European Union and 16 partner countries across the southern Mediterranean and the Middle East. The EU's fi nancial assistance to both groups of countries is managed by the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPH), ls ever budget for 2007-13 s approximately € lion.How does the EU spend its money? 2011 EU budget: €141.9 billion = 1.13% of gross national incomeSolidarity in practice: the EU cohesion policy + Regional fund » Social fund . Cohesion fundThe euro — a single currency for Europeans x fe ees =< + EU countries using the euro I EU. countries not using the euThe single market: freedom of choice The single market has led to: > significant reductions in the price of many products and services, including internet access and airfares. > 40% drop in price of phone calls from tee 2000-2006 > 2.8 million new jobs Four freedoms of movement: » goods > services people capitalSchengen Area vie y “Schengen”: » No police or customs checks at borders between most EU countries > Controls strengthened at EU external borders > More cooperation between police from different EU countries > You can buy and bring back any goods for personal use when you travel between EU countries i ty )Schengen Areaas of 1/5 2011 Bi tUsehengen suites BB Hon scnengn Eustates LU: Lumembourg Che Smitzeriond LE La CF: Cyprus Wer Na 2 Coecis Regie Ni: Netherlands DE Germany NO: Norway DK: Dermat PL: Poland EE Estonia PI: Portugal EL Greece AO Romania ES Spain SE Seder FE Fintan Si Sewers FR Fraewe SK Sevekia HU: Hungary UK: United LE ielane Kingdom SolanGlobal Trade Player | Share of world trade Share of world trade in goods (2007) in services (2007)The EU is the biggest provider of development aid in the world The EU provides 60% of all development aid EU Japan United States Official development assistance per citizen, 2007Three key players The European Parliament - voice of the people Jerzy Buzek, President of of the European Parliament The council of Ministers - voice of the Member States Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council The European Commission = promoting the common interest José Manuel Barroso, President of the European CommissionThe EU institutions European Council (summit) * European Counel of tasters a Parliament (Councit of the Eu) eae. cae sae Economie and Social Committee Committe of the Regions cSHow decisions are made? Commission: makes formal proposal National of local authorities: implement Commission and Court of justice: monitor ImplementationThe European Parliament - voice of the people > Decides EU laws and budget together with Council of Ministers > Democratic supervision of all the EU's work Number of members elected in each country (January 2010) Fintona © romania = Belgium 22 72 Uthuaale 2 EE a4 Sermory os EET 6 Slovenia 7 eprie 6 22 Mata 5 Hungory aa AREER 25 Sweden Cemok 3, BEERINNT 22 ron 6 teW > EEE 2 HaeThe European political parties Number of seats in the European Parliament per political group (January 2010) Allanies of Libarats ne Europaan Peopla’s Pany Domacrats for Europe 4 [Christian Democrats) Groens/Europaan Free Allance 265 55 Progrossiv Allunes of Sociales ans Democrats 18 European Conservatives, and Refarmists st Europe of Freedom aed Democracy Ewrope United Bs Left Need Green tek a ——— Non-attached ‘members 27Council of Ministers — voice of the member states + One minister from each EU country > Presidency: rotates every six months » Decides EU laws and budget together with Parliament + Manages the common foreign and security policyCouncil of Ministers - number of votes per country Germany, France, Italy and the United Kingdom 29 ‘Spain and Poland a7 Romania 14 Netherlands. 13 Belgium, Czech Republic, Greeee, Hungary and Portugal 22 Austria, Bulgaria aiid Sweddon 10 Denmark, Ireland, Lithuania, Slovakia and Finland 7 Estonia; Cyprus, Latvia, Luxembourg and Slovenia 4 atta 3 Total: 345 “Qualified majority” needed for many decisions: 255 votes and a majority of member states ( 30 ) From 2014: 55% of the Member States with 65% of the populationSummit at the European CouncilNext presidencies HunganPanuarnydune2oH Poland July-December 2011 Denmark January-June 2012 Cyprus July-December 2012 Ireland January-June 2013 Lithuania July-December 2013 Greece January-June 2014 Italy July-December 2014 Latvia January-June 2015 Luxembourg July-December 2015Catherine Ashton Double hat: chairs the Foreign Affairs Council meetings + Vice-president of the European Commission Manages the common foreign and security policy Head of European External Action erviceThe European Commission - promoting the common interestThe Court of Justice - upholding the lawThe European Central Bank: managing the euro >» Ensures price stability > Controls money supply and decides interest rates > Works independently from governments Mario Draghi President of the Central BankThe European Economic and Social Committee: voice of civil societyThe Committee of the Regions: voice of local governmentDrafting EU law * Before the Commission proposes new initiatives it assesses the potential economic, social and environmental consequences that they may have. It does this by preparing ‘Impact assessments’ which set out the advantages and disadvantages of possible policy options. The Commission also consults interested parties such as non- governmental organisations, local authorities and representatives of industry and civil society. Groups of experts give advice on technical issues. In this way, the Commission ensures that legislative proposals correspond to the needs of those most concerned and avoids unnecessary red tape. Citizens, businesses and organisations can participate in the ( i j consultation procedure via the website Public consultations.Co-Decision Procedure Amsterdam treaty ACT ADOPTED ACT ADOPTED By ACT NOT ADOPTED Council exsording to ‘common position (ab#) ACT ADOPTED seed ever oanr Ants Absolute majority of members in European Pasiiamert it Gualtieg isjcety Vote in European Councit cs)Civil servants working for the EU Commission employs about 23 000 permanent civil servants and 11 000 temporary or contract workers Other EU institutions: about 10 000 employed > Permanent civil servants } Selected by open competitions » Come from all EU countries > Salaries decided by law > EU administration costs €15 per EU citizen per year haar iEU-Syria Cooperation » Syria is a signatory of the 1995 Barcelona Declaration and a member of the Union for the Mediterranean launched in 2008. Syria is also a member of the European Neighbourhood Policy , but does not yet benefit from all its instruments and incentives, pending entry into force of the EU-Syria Association Agreement . The EU is Si 's main trade partner. Total trade represented more than €7 billion in 2008. The EU-Syrian trade balance remains positive for Syria. However, the non-oil products trade balance is in favour of the EU. In 2008, Syrian exports to the EU were dominated by crude oil and petroleum products (86%) followed by minerals (5%). Imports from the EU consisted mainly of machinery and transport equipment (35%) followed by petroleum products (20%), chemicals (13%) and manufactured goods (12%). » Until an EU- i i femain governed by a Coa; ovation reem aa signed in 1977.EU-Syria Cooperation is guided by the aim to consolidate Syria's reform efforts. Supporting a mix of political, social and economic reforms, the EU works on the basis of Syria’s own reform agenda “the Five Year Plan”. The EU's cooperation strategy with Syria is based on two programming documents that define shared objectives and identify joint cooperation projects. 1. The Country Strategy Paper (CSP) for Syria sets out the strategic framework for EU-Syria cooperation for the period 2007-2013. It identifies three priority areas for action: 1. Support for political and administrative reform , including modernisation of administration, decentralisation, rule of law and respect for fundamental human rights; 2. Support for economic reform , including implementation of the Five-Year Plan, preparation for the currently initialled Association Agreement and preparation for accession to the World Trade Organisation; 3. Support for social reform , including human resources development and measures to accompany the economic transition process. The EU has allocated a total of € 129 million for the period 2011-2013. 2. The National Indicative Programme (NIP) 2011-2013 outlines priority actions in these fields, as well as their budget and sequencing. The NIP is the product of an intensive consultation process with Syrian authorities, Member States, other donors and non-state actors, as well as of lessons learned fram past cooperation.