Список використаних джерел

1. Рейни Раад (Rani Raad) возглавит все направления коммерческой деятельности CNN International [Електронний ресурс] – Режим доступу: http://www.mediaguide.ru/?p=news&id=51271a0c&page=&screen=

2. Орлова В.В. Глобальные телесети новостей на информационном рынке . Глава 2 [Електронний ресурс] /В.В. Орлова. Режим доступу: http://evartist.narod.ru/text5/71.htm#з_01.

3. CNN International - лучший новостной канал года [Електронний ресурс] – Режим доступу: http://www.mediaguide.ru/?p=news&id=51371352.

4. Anchor Reporters [Електронний ресурс]— Режим доступу:http://edition.cnn.com/CNN/anchors_reporters/.

5. CNN and Technology: 9 Landmark Moments [Електронний ресурс].—2009.—Режим доступу: http://www.mediabistro.com/10000words/cnn-and-technology-9-landmark-moments_b348.

Khirvonina K.¹

THE EP AND THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Nowadays we may see that EU political systemneeds some improvements. The changes that we faced over the last decades have really improved the system in general, but there are still some problems which are a result of various agreements or lack of agreements. Some people say that it happened because there was no clear "master plan" [1]. Personally I think that the system is so complex, that it’s not difficult to make a mistake.

For example, there are some problems within the division of legislative and executive power. One of the reasons is that the power in the EU is dispersed over the range of actors and institutions [2]. That’s why some ambiguity may occur as for the cooperation and accountability of those bodies.

The European Parliament is commonly considered to be the legislative body of the EU. However, it shares this function with the Council of the European Union (the Council) and the European Commission. At the same time The European Commission (EC) is the executive body of the European Union responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and day-to-day running of the EU [3].

While researching I came across the idea that The European Parliament is not a legislative body. However, I cannot agree with this statement, because, under the ordinary legislative procedure, EP is responsible with the Council for about 80-90 percent of legislation [4]. It is consulted on issues and can influence changes to suggested policies but it cannot introduce them – this is only done by the Commission and it is the Commission that initiates the whole process. In this sense, what power does the European Parliament have?

The European Parliament has two theoretical powers but in reality it is unlikely to ever use both. The Parliament can reject the annual budget of the European Union. And it also has the theoretical right to dismiss the European Commission if two-thirds of MEP’s vote for this. This would cause huge chaos and is not likely to happen. As the driving force behind policy initiative is the Commission, such an act would deprive the European Union, in many senses, of its modus operandi [5].

For the purpose of democratic supervision Parliament exercises influence over other European institutions in several ways. When a new Commission is appointed, its 28 members – one from each EU country – cannot take up office until Parliament has approved them. If the Members of the European Parliament disapprove of a nominee, they can reject the entire slate [6]. Parliament can also call on the Commission to resign during its period in office. This is called a 'motion of censure'. Parliament keeps check on the Commission by examining reports it produces and by questioning Commissioners. Its committees play an important part here. Besides, MEPs look at petitions from citizens and set up committees of inquiry [4].

The foregoing facts show us that in general the Commission is accountable to the Parliament. And as it was already mentioned the Commission differs from the other institutions in that it alone has legislative initiative in the EU. Only the Commission can make formal proposals for legislation: they cannot originate in the legislative branches. Under the Treaty of Lisbon, no legislative act is allowed in the field of the Common Foreign and Security Policy. In the other fields Council and Parliament are able to request legislation. In most cases the Commission initiates the basis of these proposals. This monopoly is designed to ensure coordinated and coherent drafting of EU law. It has been challenged by some who claim the Parliament should also have the right, with most national parliaments holding the right in some respects. However, the Council and Parliament may request the Commission to draft legislation, though the Commission does have the power to refuse to do so as it did in 2008 over transnational collective conventions.

In order to facilitate and organize their cooperation the European Parliament and the European Commission have signed a Framework Agreement [6]. This agreement defines the procedures for their political collaboration. It comprises several provisions relating to the organisation of work between the two institutions.

In particular, these provisions concern:

• the political responsibility of the Commission;

• the establishment of regular and effective political dialogue;

• the implementation of legislative procedures.

The Framework Agreement aims to establish effective cooperation between the Commission and the Parliament. It therefore provides for the organisation of regularmeetings between representatives of the two institutions. These meetings may, for example, bring together the college of commissioners and the chairs of the parliamentary committees.

Through this Framework Agreement, the Parliament and the Commission have also undertaken to examine carefully any request made by either institution. In addition, the Commission commits to guaranteeing the Parliament access to its meetings and documents relating to legislative and budgetary procedures.

In addition, the Framework Agreement lays down specific provisions for concluding international agreements to which the EU is party. The Framework Agreement thus ensures that the Parliament is consulted during the negotiation and conclusion of agreements [5].

Lastly, the Framework Agreement provides for cooperation between the Commission and the Parliament in certain specific areas:

• the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality;

• cooperation with national parliaments;

• calling upon national experts to work with the Commission.

Interinstitutional agreements are concluded between the European institutions on the basis of Article 295 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU. The objective of these agreements is to organise and facilitate cooperation between the institutions, particularly between the Commission, the Parliament and the Council [8].Furthermore, interinstitutional agreements are binding only on those institutions which have signed them. They cannot contradict or amend the provisions of the founding Treaties of the EU.

However, conclusion of an agreement does not eliminate all contradictions and problems. It helps to clarify only some fields of activity leaving others for improvisation.

Literature, references

1. "Glossary: Right of initiative". Europa (web portal). http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/glossary/initiative_right_en.htm

2. "The Commission's right of initiative". Europa (web portal).Archived from the original on 25 October 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20071025203706/http://register.consilium.europa.eu/pdf/en/02/cv00/00230en2.pdf

3. Peterson, John and Michael Shackelton (2006) "Institutions of European Union" p152.

4. Anne-Cécile Robert (March 2009) "Et la crise sociale a rattrapé le Parlement européen", Le Monde diplomatique. p. 6–7

5. Wallis, Diana; Picard, Severine. "The Citizens' Right of Initiative in the European Constitution: A Second Chance for Democracy". Archived from the original on 6 March 2006.

6. Cooperation between the European Parliament and the European Commission. Europa (web portal). http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/institutional_affairs/decisionmaking_process/ai0041_en.htm

Подолянюк В. ¹