IX. Give Russian equivalents for the following words and phrases used in the text:

to make policy proposals; to manage funds and programs; summit meeting; top leaders; to gain new influence; to veto a proposal; a strictly advisory role; to set legal precedents; to become part of the legal framework.

X. Render the text “The European Union” using the plan

Plan for rendering the text

1. The headline of the text.

2. The contents of the text:

• the beginning of the text

• the bulk of the text

• the end of the text

3.Central idea (State it briefly and in your own words).

4. Summary. (Be sure to make your summary not more than a third or a half as long as the original).

XI. Work as one group. Point out the main periods in the development of the eu

XII. Study the article in several groups and try to find arguments to support the following points of view:

1. the membership of the EU is constantly growing;

2. the purpose of the EU is to increase economic integration and to strengthen cooperation between the member-states.

Unit 1.2. The European Commission Text The European Commission and Its Authorities

The European Commission serves as the executive branch of the EU. It makes policy proposals and presents them to the Council of Ministers. The European Commission also represents the EU in economic relations with other countries or international organizations. The administrative role of the commission is to manage EC funds and programs and to deliver aid to other countries. Members of the commission are appointed by agreement between the member governments.

The European Commission staff have an authority to go on strike to protest at plans to end job security when union repre­sentatives and Commission officials reach an agree­ment at a "conciliation" meeting.

Six of the 10 unions representing Commission employees can protest at plans for the work­force. The reforms of the European Commission are part of a wider effort by the representatives of different countries in charge of budget, personnel and administration to modernise bureaucracy.

EU institutions are facing increasing pressure, mainly from the Nordic member states, to improve efficiency and adopt greater transparency and accountability.

The tension increased earlier this month when the unions called for a strike shortly after the distribution of an internal document advocating reform. The document, entitled “Tomorrow’s Commission", questioned existing practices and warned of inevitable pressures for efficiency gains. Many economists think that the Commission has a heavy mana­gerial hierarchy, recruitment that sometimes depends too much on political considerations and less than perfect management of finance and staff.

Predicting an end to steadily increasing Union budgets, the secretary general called for clearer priorities and more ef­fective management. He suggested efficiency could be improved by the introduction of both renewable, fixed-term contracts for senior employees and a system of rewards and penalties. The unions feel the proposals threaten job security for European civil servants, who are all practically guaranteed employment for life and substantial benefits. Officials estimate that the 10 un­ions represent between 8,000 and 10,000 of the commission's 17,000 employees. The documents, which invite comments from employees, are part of the preparations for a debate on modernising the Commission.