Distinctive set of historical circumstances and impulses. Integration

motivated by political, economic and security considerations.

1. A wish to avoid a repeat of governmental failures culminated in two

World Wars in the 20th century and expansionist nationalism (Nazi

Germany).

2. Economic devastation caused by wartime destruction.

3. Emergence of two superpowers, the USA and the Soviet Union with

competing economic and political ideologies.

4. Division of Europe (East and West) and the need for security from

Soviet threat and expansionism.

5. Need for rapid development in standards of living and economic

performance to establish long-lasting peace and security. Poor

economic performance was perceived as providing a climate of

political instability conducive to the growth of Fascism and

Communism as the extreme ideologies.

6. Franco-German reconciliation as the bedrock of stability within

Western Europe.

2

3

A little bit of history

A little bit of history

*

*

1952: The basis of the EU began with the signing of the

1952: The basis of the EU began with the signing of the

Treaty of Paris

Treaty of Paris

, establishing the European Coal and

, establishing the European Coal and

Steel

Steel

Community (ECSC), to regulate European industry

Community (ECSC), to regulate European industry

&

&

improve commerce, post WWII.

improve commerce, post WWII.

* The six founding states were Belgium, France,

* The six founding states were Belgium, France,

Germany,

Germany,

Italy, Luxembourg, and The Netherlands.

Italy, Luxembourg, and The Netherlands.

*1957: the

*1957: the

Treaties of Rome

Treaties of Rome

were signed by the six

were signed by the six

member

member

states, forming:

states, forming:

-The European Economic Community (EEC)

-The European Economic Community (EEC)

-The European Atomic Energy Community

-The European Atomic Energy Community

(Euroatom)

(Euroatom)



1965 institutional merger of the
communities



1987 Single European Act



1992 Treaty Establishing Europan Union

5

FIRST PILLAR

EC, EURATOM & ECSC

SECOND PILLAR

Common Foreign and

Security Policy

THIRD PILLAR

Justice and Home Affairs

EUROPEAN UNION

Pillar construction of the
European Union (Maastricht
Treaty)

6

7



European Parliament

◦

elected by the peoples of the Member States



Council of the Union

◦

composed of the governments of the Member States



European Commission

◦

driving force and executive body



Court of Justice

◦

compliance with the law

8



Unwritten



Written

◦

Primary law

◦

Secondary law



Regulation



Directive



Decision



Recommendations and opinions

Normative act, valid in the whole nad applied

directly in each member state. It brings
direct effect to the entities to which it is
addressed. Regulation cames into force
after the publication in the Official Journal of
the European Union

Normative act which is binding upon the

member states to which it is addressed with
respect to the effect and deadlines for their
achievement. It leaves the selection of the
internal form and method of their
enforcement to the dicretion of the internal
authorities

Normative act fully binding upon its addresse.

They are individual and specific, which
differs them from the regulations.

Legal acts that are not binding. Their actual

force is significant due to the political
grounds.