Q. No. 3. Discuss the basic norms of regional politico-economic integration and organizational structure of the European Union.2017-II

1.European Commission

The European Commission, often regarded as the executive arm of the European Union (EU), is a central institution responsible for proposing legislation, implementing EU policies, managing the EU budget, and representing the interests of the EU as a whole. Established in 1958 by the Treaty of Rome, the Commission plays a crucial role in shaping the direction and functioning of the EU.

The Commission operates as a collegiate body composed of one commissioner from each EU member state, although the number of commissioners is capped to ensure efficiency and representativeness. Each commissioner is appointed for a five-year term, with the President of the Commission nominated by the European Council and approved by the European Parliament. The President then assigns specific portfolios to each commissioner, reflecting their areas of expertise and policy priorities.

One of the primary functions of the European Commission is to propose legislation to address the challenges facing the EU and advance its policy objectives. This involves conducting research, drafting legislative proposals, and consulting with stakeholders to ensure that EU laws reflect the interests and needs of European citizens. The Commission’s proposals are then submitted to the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union for review and approval through the co-decision procedure.

In addition to legislative initiatives, the Commission is responsible for implementing and enforcing EU policies across various domains, including competition, trade, environment, and consumer protection. It oversees the proper implementation of EU laws by member states, monitors compliance with EU regulations, and takes enforcement actions against violations of EU rules. The Commission also manages the EU budget, allocating funds to support programs and projects that promote economic growth, cohesion, and innovation within the EU.

Furthermore, the European Commission represents the EU in international negotiations and external relations, negotiating trade agreements, partnerships, and cooperation agreements with other countries and international organizations. It plays a vital role in promoting the EU’s interests and values on the global stage and advancing international cooperation in areas such as climate change, security, and development.

Overall, the European Commission serves as a central institution of the EU, driving the legislative process, implementing EU policies, managing the EU budget, and representing the EU’s interests at home and abroad. Through its actions, the Commission plays a critical role in advancing the integration, prosperity, and stability of the European Union.

2.European Parliament

The European Parliament is one of the key institutions of the European Union (EU) and serves as its legislative body. It represents the citizens of the EU member states and plays a crucial role in shaping EU policies, laws, and budgets. Established in 1952 as the Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community, the European Parliament has evolved over the years to become a directly elected body with significant powers within the EU institutional framework.

Composition: The European Parliament is composed of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), who are elected by the citizens of the EU member states every five years. The number of MEPs from each country is proportional to its population, with larger countries having more representatives than smaller ones. Currently, there are 705 MEPs representing over 450 million EU citizens.

Functions:

1. Legislative Role: The European Parliament shares legislative power with the Council of the European Union (representing member state governments) in a process known as the ordinary legislative procedure (or co-decision). This means that the Parliament has the authority to amend, approve, or reject legislative proposals put forward by the European Commission, ensuring democratic representation and accountability in the EU legislative process.
2. Budgetary Role: The European Parliament also plays a crucial role in the EU budgetary process. It has the power to approve or amend the EU budget proposed by the European Commission, ensuring that EU funds are allocated in line with the priorities and objectives of the Parliament and the EU as a whole.
3. Oversight and Scrutiny: The Parliament exercises oversight over the EU institutions, including the European Commission and the Council of the European Union. It holds hearings, conducts inquiries, and has the power to summon EU officials to account for their actions. Through its committees and plenary sessions, the Parliament scrutinizes EU policies, initiatives, and activities to ensure transparency, accountability, and compliance with EU law.
4. Representation: The European Parliament represents the interests and concerns of EU citizens, serving as a forum for debate, dialogue, and representation on a wide range of issues affecting Europe. MEPs engage with citizens, civil society organizations, and stakeholders to gather input, address grievances, and advocate for policies that reflect the needs and aspirations of European citizens.

Overall, the European Parliament plays a central role in the EU’s democratic governance structure, representing the interests of EU citizens, legislating on their behalf, and ensuring accountability and transparency in EU decision-making processes.

3.Council of the European Union

The Council of the European Union, often referred to simply as the Council or the Council of Ministers, is one of the principal institutions of the European Union (EU), alongside the European Parliament and the European Commission. It represents the governments of the EU member states and plays a pivotal role in the EU’s decision-making process, particularly in legislative and policy matters. The Council operates as a forum for intergovernmental cooperation and negotiation, where member states discuss and coordinate their positions on various issues affecting the EU.

Composition: The Council of the European Union is composed of government ministers from the member states, with the composition of the Council varying depending on the policy area under discussion. Each member state is represented by the minister responsible for the relevant policy domain. For example, in discussions related to agriculture, the Council is composed of the agriculture ministers from each member state, while in matters concerning finance, it comprises the finance ministers.

Rotating Presidency: The presidency of the Council rotates among the member states every six months, with each country holding the presidency in turn. During its presidency, a member state chairs and facilitates the Council’s meetings, sets the agenda, and represents the Council in external affairs. The rotating presidency ensures equal participation and representation of all member states in the decision-making process and promotes cooperation and consensus-building among EU countries.

Decision-making: The Council of the European Union shares legislative and decision-making powers with the European Parliament in most policy areas, a process known as the ordinary legislative procedure (or co-decision). Under this procedure, the Council and the Parliament must reach agreement on legislative proposals put forward by the European Commission before they can become law. In some areas, such as foreign policy and security, the Council has the authority to make decisions independently, often requiring unanimity among member states.

Types of Council Meetings: The Council of the European Union holds various types of meetings depending on the nature and importance of the issues under discussion. These include:

1. Ministerial Meetings: These meetings bring together government ministers from member states to discuss specific policy areas, such as agriculture, environment, or justice and home affairs.
2. European Council Meetings: The European Council comprises 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. European Council meetings focus on setting the overall direction and priorities of the EU and addressing major political issues and challenges.
3. Summit Meetings: Summit meetings gather heads of state or government from the EU member states to discuss strategic priorities, coordinate responses to crises, and engage with external partners on global issues.

Overall, the Council of the European Union serves as a crucial forum for intergovernmental cooperation and decision-making in the EU, where member states negotiate and reach agreements on policies, legislation, and strategic objectives to promote the common interests and values of the European Union.

4.Court of Justice of the European Union

The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) is the judicial institution responsible for ensuring the uniform interpretation and application of European Union (EU) law across all member states. It is one of the main institutions of the EU’s legal framework, alongside the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union, and the European Commission. Established in 1952, the CJEU plays a crucial role in upholding the rule of law within the EU and safeguarding the rights of individuals, businesses, and member states.

The CJEU is composed of two main courts: the Court of Justice and the General Court. Additionally, there are specialized courts within the CJEU, such as the Civil Service Tribunal and the European Union Civil Service Tribunal, which handle specific types of cases.

1. Court of Justice (CoJ): The Court of Justice is the highest judicial authority within the EU and is responsible for interpreting EU law and ensuring its uniform application across all member states. It hears cases referred to it by national courts and tribunals on matters relating to the interpretation and validity of EU law, including the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), EU regulations, directives, and decisions. The Court of Justice also has jurisdiction to hear actions brought by EU institutions, member states, and individuals against EU institutions for alleged violations of EU law. The judgments of the Court of Justice are binding on all member states and national authorities.
2. General Court: The General Court acts as the lower court within the CJEU and is responsible for hearing cases brought by individuals, businesses, and member states against EU institutions, agencies, and bodies. It also handles appeals against decisions of the European Union Civil Service Tribunal. The General Court primarily deals with cases related to competition law, state aid, trade, intellectual property, and other areas of EU law. Its judgments can be appealed to the Court of Justice on points of law only.
3. Specialized Courts: The CJEU also includes specialized courts such as the Civil Service Tribunal and the European Union Civil Service Tribunal, which handle disputes between the EU institutions and their staff regarding employment, recruitment, and other personnel matters.

Overall, the Court of Justice of the European Union plays a critical role in ensuring the effective functioning of the EU legal system by providing authoritative interpretations of EU law, upholding the rule of law, and protecting the rights of individuals and member states within the EU. Its decisions contribute to the development and coherence of EU law and contribute to the integration and stability of the European Union.

5.Court of Justice of the European Union

The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) is the highest judicial authority within the European Union (EU), tasked with ensuring the uniform interpretation and application of EU law across all member states. Established in 1952, the CJEU is located in Luxembourg and consists of two main courts: the Court of Justice and the General Court.

1. Court of Justice (CoJ): The Court of Justice is the primary judicial body of the CJEU and is responsible for interpreting EU law and ensuring its consistent application throughout the EU. It hears cases referred to it by national courts and tribunals concerning the interpretation and validity of EU laws, treaties, and regulations. The Court of Justice also has jurisdiction over preliminary rulings, where national courts seek guidance on the interpretation of EU law in specific cases. The rulings of the Court of Justice are binding on all member states and national authorities, providing legal certainty and coherence to the EU legal framework.
2. General Court: The General Court acts as the lower court within the CJEU and is responsible for hearing cases brought by individuals, businesses, and member states against EU institutions, agencies, and bodies. It also handles appeals against decisions of specialized EU courts, such as the Civil Service Tribunal. The General Court primarily deals with cases related to competition law, state aid, trade, intellectual property, and other areas of EU law. Its judgments can be appealed to the Court of Justice on points of law only.

In addition to these main courts, the CJEU includes specialized courts and tribun

als, such as the Civil Service Tribunal and the European Union Civil Service Tribunal, which handle disputes related to employment, recruitment, and other personnel matters within the EU institutions.

The CJEU plays a crucial role in upholding the rule of law within the EU and safeguarding the rights of individuals, businesses, and member states. Its decisions contribute to the development and coherence of EU law, ensuring its effectiveness and uniform application across the EU. By providing authoritative interpretations of EU law and resolving disputes between member states and EU institutions, the CJEU contributes to the stability, integration, and legal certainty of the European Union.