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European Union Law Based on a presentation by DU Prof. Don Smith. Introduction History Key Attributes Key Institutions TransAtlantic Relationship Questions Web Resources. European Union Law. Introduction 25 member states 10 new members May 2004 Potential members Bulgaria Croatia
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European Union LawBased on a presentation by DU Prof. Don Smith • Introduction • History • Key Attributes • Key Institutions • TransAtlantic Relationship • Questions • Web Resources
European Union Law • Introduction • 25 member states • 10 new members May 2004 • Potential members • Bulgaria • Croatia • Romania • Turkey
European Union Law • History • World Wars I and II • Aftermath of World War II • 1957: European Economic Community • 6 founding members • Key objective: common market • 1992: Treaty on European Union • Establishes monetary union • Establishes the “European Union” • 2003: Constitutional Convention • EU Constitution adopted – signed by all 25 members October 29, 2004
European Union Law • Key Attributes • Established by series of treaties • Generally decisions made by consensus • Supranational in character: i.e., some sovereignty given up • E.g., market issues, competition, environmental policy • Establishment of Euro • EU institutions have ability to make laws and enforce them • EU law is “supreme” to member state law
European Union Law • Key Institutions • European Commission • 30 members • Is EU’s “executive” • Proposes legislation • Enforcement • Council of Ministers (Council of the EU) • Organized by subject matter • Represents the interests of member states • European Parliament • 732 members • European Court of Justice • 25 members • European Council • 25 heads of state and government
European Union Law • TransAtlantic Relationship • Growing tensions since the end of cold war • Multilateral vs. Unilateral • Iraq • Middle East policy • Environmental policy • WTO steel imports ruling • European defense policy
European Union Law • Web Resources • The Financial Times • http://www.ft.com/world/europe • Europa • http://europa.eu.int/ • ABC of Community Law • http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/about/abc_en.pdf • EU Audio Video Library • http://europa.eu.int/comm/mediatheque/video/index_en.html • DU College of Law • http://www.law.du.edu/donsmith/eul/index.htm