4 - European Union bridging ties

New political system suggests equality in common interests for countries

It is often said that the European Union (EU) has an institutional system unlike any other. It is not a new state replacing the old ones. Its member states have delegated a part of their sovereignty to common institutions representing the interests of the Union, of the States, and of individual citizens at the same time. This is achieved through the so-called 'institutional triangle': the Commission protecting common interests, the Council representing national governments, and the Parliament elected by universal suffrage.
Another peculiarity of the European Union is its lack of a Head of State, a figure found in every country of the world. Its presidency goes in six-month turns to every Member State (the second semester of 2003 will see Italy in this position, but we'll touch upon this later on). This formula was chosen in order to guarantee that each member would eventually represent the Union, both within and without its borders.
There are many differences with other state entities, but this is not the place fit for an essay on compared constitutional law. We shall therefore delve only on the Union's most important institutions, briefly illustrated for reasons of clarity.
We would like to underscore a final element: European integration has secured 50 years of peace and economic welfare to the Old World. This is the result of the efforts made by the Europeans, who managed to set aside their millenary nationalism in order to create a common structure. This is actually the real novelty of the past two centuries.
The history of the European Union will be dealt with in a future instalment. Let's just say, for the moment, that the idea of a unified Europe was born after World War II, on May 9, 1950, when France officially proposed "to lay the first concrete foundations for a European federation."
Six countries approved the idea (Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands). In 1973 Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom joined in. In 1981 came Greece. In 1986, Spain and Portugal. In 1995, Austria, Finland, and Sweden. New entries are later foreseen: on May 1, 2004 (Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Slovenia) and in 2007 (Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey). It is estimated that membership will eventually reach 28. The main objectives of the Union are fourfold: creating a European citizenship, with everything it entails (free circulation and recognition of civil and political rights); guaranteeing liberty, security, and justice; promoting economic and social progress (the common market, the Euro, job creation, regional development, environmental protection); and making Europe's voice heard (common foreign and security policies).
The main institutions of the Union include the European Parliament (elected by the citizens of the Member States); the Council of the European Union (appointed by the governments of the Member States); the European Commission (executive board); the Court of Justice (enforcing laws); the Court of Auditors (ensuring correct management of the Union budget); and the European Central Bank.
EU's currency is the Euro.
Its flag displays 12 gold stars on a blue background.
Its anthem is the Ode to Joy, which was adapted from the final movement of Beethoven's 9th Symphony.

The European Parliament
Elected every five years by direct universal suffrage, the European Parliament is the expression of the democratic will of the Union's 374 million citizens (next year this figure will rise to nearly 450 million). Its origins date back to the 50s, but its first direct election only took place in 1979.
Parliament has three essential functions: it exercises political supervision over all the institutions; it shares power with the Council to legislate, i.e. to adopt European laws (directives, regulations, decisions); and it shares budgetary authority with the Council, which can influence EU spending.
The main seat of the European Parliament is in Strasbourg (France), but it also holds sessions in Brussels (Belgium) and Luxembourg. It is currently formed by 626 MEPs: 25 from Belgium, 16 from Denmark, 99 from Germany, 25 from Greece, 64 from Spain. 87 from France, 15 from Ireland, 87 from Italy, 6 from Luxembourg, 31 from the Netherlands, 21 from Austria, 25 from Portugal, 16 from Finland, 22 from Sweden, and 87 from the United Kingdom. Also, eight major political groups are represented: PPE-DE (European People's Party-Christian Democrats and European Democrats); PSE (Party of European Socialists); ELDR (European Liberal, Democrat and Reform Party); GUE/NGL (Confederal Group of the European United Left/Nordic Green Left), Verts/ALE (Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance); UEN (Union for Europe of the Nations Group); EDD (Group for a Europe of Democracies and Diversities); and NI (the Non-attached).

The Council of the European Union
The Council represents the Member States at European Union level and constitutes the main decision-making body. The government representatives in the Council are politically responsible to their national parliament and to the citizens they represent.
The Council has a number of key responsibilities. With the European Parliament, it is the Union's legislative body and it coordinates the broad economic policies of the Member States. The Council concludes, on behalf of the EU, international agreements; it shares budgetary authority with Parliament; it takes the decisions necessary for framing and implementing the common foreign and security policy; it coordinates the activities of Member States and adopts measures in the field of police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters.
In short, it is the top institution of the European Union, making the most delicate decisions in political as well as technical matters.
The Council's seat is in Brussels, where the ministerial meetings take place, except in April, June and October, when they are held in Luxembourg.
The Presidency of the Council is held for six months by each of the Member States in turn. As we said, the Italian semester begins on July 1 and ends on December 31, 2003. The first semester of this year had Greece hold the presidency. In 2004 the turns of Ireland (first semester) and the Netherlands (second semester) will occur.
The current Secretary General of the Council of the European Union is Javier Solana Madariaga from Spain, and he will hold this post until next year. Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini recently illustrated Italy's objectives for its presidency to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament. Their objectives include promulgating the European Constitution prepared by the Convention chaired by Valery Giscard d'Estaing and strengthening the Union's institutions by 'conferring coherence, authority and credibility to the European foreign and security policy and to the common defence policy'. They further look at 'fully achieving the Union's vocation as a protagonist on the world scene', therefore pursuing 'an authentic partnership with the United States and Russia'. Plans also include implementing a strategy of attention towards East European and Balkan countries, including Albania and soliciting the co-operation of the Mediterranean countries.
Minister Frattini concluded, "Our Presidency intends to be characterized for its strong and determined commitment on the great ethical and political issues that nowadays intersect in a dramatic way the international community. This in itself must inspire the action of the United Nations and other multilateral organizations towards: the fight against poverty, the prevention of conflict, and the dialogue of civilizations in the name of mutual tolerance. We want the Union to play an increasingly active role on these issues."

The European Commission
The European Commission embodies the general interests of the European Union. It proposes directions to take and implements the measures decided on by the Council and Parliament. Politically, it must answer to the European Parliament, which has the power to dismiss it by adopting a motion of censure.
The Commission, which is reappointed every five years, is the driving force in the Union's institutional system. It has the right to initiate draft legislation and therefore presents legislative proposals to Parliament and the Council; it is responsible for implementing the European legislation; it acts as guardian of the Treaties and, together with the Court of Justice, ensures that Community law is properly applied; it negotiates international agreements, chiefly in the field of trade and cooperation. The seat of the Commission is in Brussels. It employs over 20,000 officials and is led by a President (at present, Italy's Romano Prodi) and a college of 19 members (Commissioners) appointed by the member States and approved by the Parliament.
France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Spain have two commissioners each, while every other country has one.
Currently, the European Commission includes, in addition to President Romano Prodi: Loyola De Palacio (Vice-President, Relations with the European Parliament, Transport & Energy); Neil Kinnok (Vice-President, Administrative Reform); Erkki Liikanen (Enterprise & Information Society); Paul Nielson (Development & Humanitarian Aid); David Byrne (Health & Consumer Protection); Margot Wallstrom (Environment); Michaele Schreyer (Budget); Pascal Lamy (Trade); Pedro Solbes Mira (Economic & Monetary Affairs); Franz Fischler (Agriculture, Rural Development, & Fisheries); Mario Monti (Competition); Frits Bolkestein (Internal Market, Taxation, & Fiscal Union); Chris Patten (External Relations); Viviane Reding (Education & Culture); Anna Diamatopoulu (Employment & Social Affairs); Antonio Vitorino (Justice & Home Affairs); Michael Barnier (Regional Policy); Gunter Verheugen (Enlargement); Philippe Buskin (Research).

The Court of Justice
The Court of Justice ensures that the law is observed in the interpretation and application of the Treaties. As the judicial institution of the Union, it ensures that Community law is interpreted and applied in the same way in each Member State, in other words that it is always identical for all parties and in all circumstances.
A Court of First Instance was created in 1989. This Court is responsible for ruling on certain categories of case in the first instance, particularly those relating to competition rules and actions brought by private individuals.
The seat of the Court of Justice is in Luxembourg. The Court comprises one judge per Member State, so that the various national legal systems are represented. The Court is aided by eight advocates-general. The judges and the advocates-general are appointed for a term of six years. The Court of Auditors
The Court of Auditors was established in 1977. In 1999 its auditing and investigation powers were extended so that it could combat fraud against the Community budget more effectively.
The seat of the Court of Auditors is in Luxembourg. It comprises 15 members appointed by the Council for a renewable term of six years.
The members of the Court of Auditors are chosen from the ranks of those who, in their respective Member State, have worked for an auditing institution or are specifically qualified for that work. Each member must meet certain criteria with regard to his or her competence and independence and must work full-time for the Court. Together the members elect a president from their number for a term of three years.
The main role of the Court of Auditors is to monitor the correct implementation of the EU budget, i.e. the legality and regularity of Community income and expenditure. It also ensures sound financial management and contributes to the effectiveness and transparency of the Community system.

The European Central Bank
The arrival of Monetary Union in Europe has brought with it a new currency, the euro, and a new central bank, the European Central Bank (ECB).
The ECB and the central banks of the countries that have adopted the euro make up a new entity known as the "Eurosystem". Certain Member States of the European Union have not yet adopted the euro, for example the United Kingdom that still uses the Pound Sterling.
The ECB enjoys total independence in its work. The President of the ECB and the other five members of the Executive Board are appointed by the Member States for a non-renewable term of eight years.
The seat of the European Central Bank is in Frankfurt in Main (Germany). Its primary objective is price stability, in defence of the Euro's purchasing power. Its main missions include: defining and implementing the monetary policy of the Euro zone; conducting foreign exchange operations, holding and managing the official exchange reserves of the countries of the euro zone; issuing notes; and promoting the smooth operation of payment systems.

Publication Date: 2004-08-22
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=4321