What does the EU do for its citizens?

What does the EU do for its citizens?

The EU plays an important role in diplomacy and works to foster stability, security and prosperity, democracy, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law at international level.

What are the EU’s main policy institutions?

European Parliament

• European Parliament. Directly elected by EU citizens, the Parliament acts as a co-legislator, sharing with the Council of the EU the power to adopt and amend legislative proposals and to decide on the EU budget.
• European Parliament Committees.
• European Parliament Archives.
• Legislative Observatory.

Why is the EU important?

The EU has delivered more than half a century of peace, stability and prosperity, helped raise living standards and launched a single European currency: the euro. More than 340 million EU citizens in 19 countries now use it as their currency and enjoy its benefits. The EU’s main economic engine is the single market.

What does the EU represent?

European Union (EU), international organization comprising 27 European countries and governing common economic, social, and security policies. Originally confined to western Europe, the EU undertook a robust expansion into central and eastern Europe in the early 21st century.

How does the EU affect everyday life?

You can travel, study, work and live in any EU country. Anyone can decide where they want to live or look for work. Free movement of people is possible thanks to the EU´s single market. The EU has removed barriers to free trade between its members.

What are four benefits of joining the EU?

General Advantages

• Membership in a community of stability, democracy, security and prosperity;
• Stimulus to GDP growth, more jobs, higher wages and pensions;
• Growing internal market and domestic demand;
• Free movement of labour, goods, services and capital;
• Free access to 450 million consumers.

How does the EU make decisions?

This is how decisions are made in the EU: Heads of state and government make decisions on general policies in the European Council. The Parliament reviews the proposals and passes decisions together with the Council of Ministers. The Council of Ministers and Parliament approve the laws together.

Does the EU pass laws?

The European Parliament is the only directly elected EU body, with representatives apportioned by each member state’s population. Unlike traditional legislatures, it can’t propose legislation, but laws can’t pass without its approval. It also negotiates and approves the EU budget and oversees the commission.

What are decisions in EU law?

In European Union law, a decision is a legal instrument which is binding upon those individuals to which it is addressed. Decisions may be addressed to member states or individuals. The Council of the European Union can delegate power to make decisions to the European Commission.

Are EU decision binding?

A legal instrument of the European Union (EU) as defined in Article 288 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). A decision is binding only on those to whom it is addressed without the need for national implementing measures. They can be of general or individual application.

Are EU decisions directly applicable?

Similarly, Article 288 states that EU decisions are also directly applicable, but only on those to whom they are addressed. The Court of Justice of the EU has held that EU treaties are directly applicable.

What is the difference between EU regulations and directives?

Regulations have binding legal force throughout every Member State and enter into force on a set date in all the Member States. Directives lay down certain results that must be achieved but each Member State is free to decide how to transpose directives into national laws.

How do EU regulations work?

Regulations are legal acts that apply automatically and uniformly to all EU countries as soon as they enter into force, without needing to be transposed into national law. They are binding in their entirety on all EU countries.

What is indirect effect in EU law?

What is indirect effect of EU law? The doctrine of indirect effect, or consistent interpretation, is a duty that national courts have, as part of the Member State responsible for fulfilment of EU obligations, to interpret national law in light of EU law, especially with Directives.

What is the difference between direct and indirect effect EU law?

The principle of indirect effect contrasts with the principle of direct effect, which, under certain conditions, allows individuals to invoke the EU law itself before national courts.