Theme 2. Supranational system of the eu: structure and principles of functioning

Summary

The theme is devoted to studying the essence of concept of the supranational system of the EU. The features of fundamental agreements of the EU are considered. Functions and directions of activity of basic main and additional bodies of the EU are reflected. Essence and principles of construction of EU legal system are emphasized.

Educational tasks:

• to consider essence of the supranational system of the EU;

• to learn a concept and determination of the supranational system of the EU;

• to describe a structure and principles of EU functioning;

• to analyse the principal contracts of the EU.

Control forms:

1. Case studies discussion.

2. Testing.

3. Verbal questioning.

Tasks for self preparation:

1. Elaborate the questions:

- Main bodies of the EU. Sources: [3, N. 81-89], [10, N. 68-76].

- Maastricht Treaty, Amsterdam Treaty, Nice Treaty. Sources: [16, N. 25-30], [19, N. 45-50 ], [20, N. 7-11].

2. Make a review of periodic literature on one of the theme:

- Legal acts of the EU.

- Fundamental agreements of the EU.

3. Make the tests:

1. The Council of the European Union functions

A. legislation and justice

B. approval of the EU budget

C. economic, foreign and defence policies

D. all variants are correct

2. The European Commission roles

A. to propose legislation to Parliament and the Council

B. to manage and implement EU policies and the budget

C. to represent the European Union on the international stage

D. all variants are correct

3. The European Parliament

A. controls the EU budget

B. supervises over all of the EU's activities

C. appoints the European Ombudsman

D. all variants are correct

4. The European Court of Justice

A. adjudicates Claims by the European Commission that a member state has not implemented a European Union Directive or other legal requirement

B. adjudicates Claims by member states that the European Commission has exceeded its authority

C. adjudicates References from national courts in the EU member states asking the ECJ questions about the meaning or validity of a particular piece of EU law

D. all variants are correct

5. The European Court of Auditors

A. gives an opinion before the EU's financial regulations are adopted

B. can comment at any time on specific issues, or it can give an opinion at the request of one of the EU institutions

C. must remain independent of the other institutions but at the same time stay in constant touch with them

D. all variants are correct

6. The European Economic and Social Committee roles

A. to advise the Council, Commission and European Parliament, either at their request or on the Committee’s own initiative

B. to encourage civil society to become more involved in EU policymaking

C. to bolster the role of civil society in non-EU countries and to help set up advisory structures

D. all variants are correct

7. The European Ombudsman

A. represents employers, trade unions, farmers, consumers and the other interest groups

B. is an intermediary between the citizen and the EU authorities +

C. represents of Europe’s regional and local authorities

D. no correct answer

8. The European Central Bank

A. manages the EU’s single currency

B. is responsible for framing and implementing the EU’s economic and monetary policy

C. maintains price stability in the euro area

D. all variants are correct

9. The European Investment Bank

A. lends money to the public and private sectors for projects of European interest

B. supports sustainable development in the candidate and potential candidate countries

C. is a policy driven bank

D. all variants are correct

10. The Committee of the EU Regions

A. is entitled to receive and investigate complaints from EU citizens, businesses and organisations

B. has to be consulted before EU decisions are taken on matters which concern local and regional government

C. presents different interest groups views and defends their interests in policy discussions with the Commission, the Council and the European Parliament

D. all variants are correct