CAST Flashcards

Question 1

Q

Who coined the term Iron Curtain?

Answer

A

Churchill

Question 2

Q

Who coined the term ‘United Nations’ in 1942?

Answer

A

F. D. Roosevelt

Question 3

Q

Which are the participating states of the Civil Protection Mechanism?

Answer

A

All EUMS + Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, and Türkiye

Question 4

Q

What are exclusive competencies of the EU?

Answer

A

customs union
competition rules for the single market
monetary policy for the eurozone countries
trade and international agreements (under certain circumstances)
marine plants and animals regulated by the common fisheries policy

Question 5

Q

What is true about UN Security Council non-permanent members?

Answer

A

Elected by the General Assembly, for a 2-year non-renewable term, presidency rotates in alphabetic order

Question 6

Q

Orange card procedure

Answer

A

subsidiarity control mechanism; applies in areas where the EU does not have exclusive competence
The effect of the reasoned opinions on the legislative procedure depends on how many national Parliaments react and how many votes they represent. Each of the 27 national Parliaments is allocated two votes. If there are two chambers, each has one vote.
When reasoned opinions represent at least one third of all the votes allocated to the national Parliaments, the Commission must review its proposal. This threshold is lower for draft legislative acts related to justice, freedom and security – one quarter. In both cases, the Commission can decide whether to maintain, change or withdraw its proposal. The Commission must give reasons for its decision. This is known as the ‘yellow card’ procedure.
When reasoned opinions represent a majority of the votes and the draft act falls under the ordinary legislative procedure, the Commission must review its proposal and decide whether to maintain, change or withdraw it. If the Commission decides to maintain its proposal, it must justify its decision to the European Parliament and Council as to why the proposal complies with the principle of subsidiarity. This is known as the ‘orange card’ procedure.

Question 7

Q

What is the objective of the Union?

Answer

A

Art 2(1) TEU: “The Union’s aim is to promote peace, its values and the well-being of its peoples.”

Question 8

Q

Who was NOT a president of the EP?

Answer

A

Jacques Delors

Question 9

Q

What was the budgetary split of the Common Agrar Policy 2018?

Answer

A

€41m to income support; €14m to rural development; €2.37m to market measure (enough to remember the relative proportions of the chapters)

Question 10

Q

Which countries are members of MERCOSUR?

Answer

A

Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay

Question 11

Q

Which was not an element of the Juncker plan?

Answer

A

Quantitative easing programme (QE)

Question 12

Q

How many countries participated in the 2002 Euro banknotes and coins changeover?

Question 13

Q

What happens if EP doesn’t consent to an international agreement?

Answer

A

It cannot be adopted

Question 14

Q

According to Article 5 TEU, what are the key guiding principles of Union competences?

Answer

A

Subsidiarity, conferral, proportionality

Question 15

Q

What is the EU Blue Card?

Answer

A

gives highly qualified workers from outside the EU the right to live and work in an EU country, provided they have higher professional qualifications, such as a university degree, and an employment contract or a binding job offer with a high salary compared to the average in the EU country where the job is

Question 16

Q

What is the New Development Bank?

Answer

A

Multilateral development bank of the BRICS countries

Question 17

Q

What does JCPoA stand for?

Answer

A

Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action aka the Iran Nuclear Deal

Question 18

Q

What is the maximum number of MEPs per country according to the Treaties?

Question 19

Q

What is the Bretton Woods system?

Answer

A

“A multilateral agreement on international cooperation on monetary policy”

Question 20

Q

What does the Common Commercial Policy cover according to Article 2017 TFEU?

Answer

A

trade in goods and services, and the commercial aspects of intellectual property, foreign direct investment

Question 21

Q

Who adopts the country-specific recommendations of the European Semester

Answer

A

The Council

Question 22

Q

What is ITER?

Answer

A

Project on nuclear fusion

Question 23

Q

What was one of the core elements of the Barcelona Process/Declaration?

Answer

A

Provide childcare to 90% children from 3 yo until end of mandatory school

Question 24

Q

What majority of MEPs is needed to approve a motion of Censure?

Answer

A

2/3 of voting members, must be majority of total MEPs

Question 25

Q

Who can propose amendments to treaties?

Answer

A

Member States, EC or EP

Question 26

Q

How many African countries are part of Cotonou agreement?

Question 27

Q

What was the Monroe Doctrine asserting?

Answer

A

Anti-imperialism

Question 28

Q

Which of the following is correct about NATO?

Answer

A

Correct answer was about the founding members which were 12 in total. Among the wrong answers was that all EU MS but two were now part of NATO (they are instead 22)

Question 29

Q

What is the Esquipulas Agreement about?

Answer

A

Peace in Central America

Question 30

Q

What are the Tlatelolco, Rarotonga, Bangkok, Pelindaba treaties about?

Answer

A

They establish nuclear-free zones

Question 31

Q

What does the Paris Agreement state?

Answer

A

Well below 2 degrees, aiming for 1.5 degrees reduction compared to pre-industrial emission levels

Question 32

Q

What are the EU’s climate objectives?

Answer

A

55% GHG reduction compared to 1990 by 2030, net zero by 2050

Question 33

Q

What is the population of the EU?

Answer

A

447 Million

Question 34

Q

What is the Stability Pact saying?

Answer

A

MS need to keep deficit at 3%, debt at 60% of GDP

Question 35

Q

In how many countries was the € introduced in 2002?

Question 36

Q

2018 Eurobarometer, in which area did citizens demand further harmonization?

Question 37

Q

G5 Sahel country members?

Answer

A

Chad, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Mauritania

Question 38

Q

What is true about UN Security Council non-permanent members?

Answer

A

Elected by the General Assembly, for a 2-year non-renewable term, presidency rotates in alphabetic order

Question 39

Q

Article 2 TFEU, what is not

Answer

A

Exclusive competency of national states to implement EU law

Question 40

Q

The European Council decides by …. if it is not otherwise established in the treaties.

Answer

A

Consensus

Question 41

Q

Which EU agency responsible for border management received more funding after 2015?

Question 42

Q

Which state does not belong to BRICS?

Answer

A

Indonesia

Question 43

Q

What of the following is one of Barcelona principles?

Answer

A

to provide at least 90% of children between 3 years old and mandatory school age with care

Question 44

Q

What is true about the infringement procedure?

Answer

A

COMISSION on investigations, input from others

Question 45

Q

First time the EU adopted a common position on the issue of Palestine?

Answer

A

Venice Declaration 1980

Question 46

Q

MFF (long term Eu budget) how many years?

Question 47

Q

EU treaties, each with a sentence and YEAR of SIGNATURE

Answer

A

only for Nice was correct 2001.. others had both wrong signature year and details

Question 48

Q

stability of institutions, guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities; A functioning market economy and the ability to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the EU; Ability to take on the obligations of membership, including the capacity to effectively implement the rules, standards and policies that make up the body of EU law (the ‘acquis’), and adherence to the aims of political, economic and monetary union are part of what?

Answer

A

Copenhagen criteria

Question 49

Q

What is not needed for EC President election?

Answer

A

unanimity in European council

Question 50

Q

Minamata convention on what?

Answer

A

only mercury

Question 51

Q

Who was the first EP President?

Answer

A

Simone Veil.

Question 52

Q

EU Citizen’s Initiative: how many signatures from how many EU MS

Answer

A

1 M; Quarter EU countries

Question 53

Q

Stabilisation and Growth Pact

Answer

A

The Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) is a set of rules designed to ensure that countries in the European Union pursue sound public finances and coordinate their fiscal policies.

Question 54

Q

Independence of South Sudan

Question 55

Q

Who is involved in the EU budget

Answer

A

The annual EU budget is agreed by the Council and the European Parliament. The draft budget is proposed by the European Commission. First, the Council adopts its position on the draft annual EU budget. The European Parliament can then adopt amendments to the Council’s position. If their views diverge, a conciliation committee is convened to find a compromise within three weeks. After an agreement is reached, the Council and the European Parliament have 14 days to formally approve it. If the Council and the European Parliament do not reach an agreement, the Commission has to present a new draft annual budget. If the annual budget is still not adopted at the beginning of the year to which it refers, the system of provisional twelfths applies. This means that not more than one twelfth of the budget appropriations for the previous year or of the draft budget proposed by the Commission – whichever is smaller – may be spent each month for any chapter of the budget.

Question 56

Q

ESPAS

Answer

A

European Strategy and Policy Analysis System

Question 57

Q

SAARC

Answer

A

Southern Asian Association for Regional Cooperation

Question 58

Q

EU Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP)

Answer

A

The GSP Regulation is a unilateral trade tool that removes or reduces import duties from products coming into the EU from vulnerable low-income countries, supporting poverty eradication, sustainable development, and their participation in the global economy.

Question 59

Q

What is the Annual Growth Survey and for what is it used (AGS)?

Answer

A

The Annual Growth Survey is the Commission’s main tool for setting out the general economic and social priorities for the EU for the following year.

Question 60

Q

EU Charter Fundamental Rights

Answer

A

Solemnly proclaimed on 7 December 2000 by the European Parliament, the Council of Ministers and the European Commission. However, its then legal status was uncertain and it did not have full legal effect until the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon on 1 December 2009.

Question 61

Q

As of January 2019, how many countries form the Eurozone?

Question 62

Q

In how many countries was the € introduced in 2002?

Question 63

Q

What is the G20?

Answer

A

A forum of industrialised countries

Question 64

Q

How many judges sit in the Court of Justice?

Answer

A

At least one from each of the Member States

Answer 55

A

8 Members

Answer 56

A

22 million farmers in the EU, in 10,5 million agribusiness that have (on average) an income 40% lower that non-agriculture sector jobs

Answer 57

A

Hazardous chemicals

Answer 58

A

European Commission, European Parliament, Council

Answer 59

A

European Network and Information Security Agency

Answer 60

A

To boost SME’s competitiveness

Answer 61

A

“A European Union instrument for institutional cooperation between Public Administrations of EU Member States and of beneficiary or partner countries”

Answer 62

A

The Council takes its decisions by simple majority, qualified majority or unanimity; I was not sure about another option that read: “The Council can vote on a legislative act 12 weeks after the draft has been sent to national parliaments”, but in fact it’s 8 weeks. The other two options were easy to rule out.

Answer 63

A

(a) customs union; (b) the establishing of the competition rules necessary for the functioning of the internal market; (c) monetary policy for the Member States whose currency is the euro; (d) the conservation of marine biological resources under the common fisheries policy; (e) common commercial policy.

Answer 64

A

trade in goods and services, commercial aspects of intellectual property, foreign direct investments

Answer 65

A

1942 by Franklin D. Roosevelt; careful, it was NOT coined at the San Francisco Conference.

Answer 66

A

European Strategy and Policy Analysis System

Answer 67

A

It was signed in 1982 in Montego Bay (Jamaica).

Answer 68

A

It aimed to prevent European powers from extending their influence in the Western hemisphere.

Answer 69

A

Should be adopted unanimously by the Council after receiving the Parliament’s consent as expressed by absolute majority

Answer 70

A

Indonesia (MS are Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa)

Answer 71

A

SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation)

Answer 72

A

It covers 79 countries with 48 being in Sub-Saharan Africa

Note that centralized governance is NOT one of its key priorities!

Answer 73

A

Agriculture is directly dealt with by the EU unlike transport and education

Answer 74

A

environment
(exclusive competences are: customs union, competition rules for the single market, monetary policy for the eurozone countries, trade and international agreements (under certain circumstances), marine plants and animals regulated by the common fisheries policy)

Answer 75

A

Should be approved by 2/3 majority of the MEP

Answer 76

A

Directive – binding only in terms of the result to be achieved

Answer 77

A

Every person holding the nationality of a Member State shall be a citizen of the Union. Citizenship of the Union shall be additional to and not replace national citizenship.

Answer 78

A

Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay

Answer 79

A

President, Vice-President and 4 members

Answer 80

A

unanimity in EUCO (European council)

Answer 81

A

Written opinion

Answer 82

A

If your flight arrives in the EU from outside the EU and is operated by a non-EU airline.

Answer 83

A

DG Environment

Answer 84

A

A legally-binding non-legislative act

Answer 85

A

All of the above (European Defence Fund, European Development Fund, European Disability Forum)

Answer 86

A

Jozsef Szajer

Answer 87

A

They must have a large economic or social status within more than one MS

Answer 88

A

European securities markets

Answer 89

A

La Valletta, Malta

Answer 90

A

Luxembourgish

Answer 91

A

2,5 years (with the possibility of renewal once).

Answer 92

A

Is organized by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)

Answer 93

A

To bring a claim against EU law, individuals should go before their national court.

Answer 94

A

1 January 2011

Answer 95

A

Frankfurt

Answer 96

A

The turnout in European elections has consistently fallen since 1979.

Answer 97

A

A configuration cannot adopt an act that falls under another configuration.

Answer 98

A

Schumann declaration 1950 Coal and Steel community between BENELUX, France Germany Italy; Treaty of Rome of 1957 European Economic Community; Treaty on European Union, commonly known as the Maastricht Treaty, is the foundation treaty of the European Union (EU). Concluded in 1992 between the then-twelve member states, into effect 1 November 1993 (6 founders plus Ireland, UK, Denmark, Greece, Spain, Portugal)

Answer 99

A

Commissioner for Human Rights.

Answer 100

A

A second period of secondment is not possible

Answer 101

A

Provide that the functioning of a legislative act will be examined at a set date

Answer 102

A

24 working days

Answer 103

A

Protection of private life.

Answer 104

A

Agriculture

Answer 105

A

Appointing Authority

Answer 106

A

It is also called codification
Recasting refers to a legislative technique where a legislative proposal/act is a mix of substantial amendment and codification. This technique uses the opportunity provided by a substantial amendment to the basic legislative act to codify the original act and all its subsequent amendments. Unlike codification, recasting changes the substance of the law. Recasting is one form of simplification and a recasting proposal follows a normal legislative procedure according to its legal base.

Answer 107

A

1 billion EUR

Answer 108

A

The Board is acting under the Council’s direct authority.

Answer 109

A

7; German is an official language in Germany, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg. In Poland, Italy, and Denmark German is recognized on a sub-national level.

Answer 110

A

15; The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a regional group of 15 countries, founded in 1975. Its mission is to promote economic integration all fields of economic activity, particularly industry, transport, telecommunications, energy, agriculture, natural resources, commerce, monetary and financial matters, social and cultural issues

Answer 111

A

Wim Kok former prime minister of the Netherlands, delivered in November 2003 as chairman of the employment task force of the Commission, the report “Jobs, jobs, jobs”. It recognized the inherent social value in policies that create jobs.

Answer 112

A

It accounts for a little less than 1% of the wealth produced each year by EU MS

Answer 113

A

5; The College of Quaestors is the European Parliament body responsible for administrative and financial matters directly concerning Members and their working conditions.

Answer 114

A

31 March 2015

Answer 115

A

Issue a call for tender applications based on detailed specifications

Answer 116

A

Members may belong to more than one political group.

Answer 117

A

Green papers; A formal Impact Assessment is required for items on the Commission’s Work Programme (WP). All regulatory proposals, White Papers, expenditure programmes and negotiating guidelines for international agreements (with an economic, social or environmental impact) put on the WP are concerned. In addition, the Commission may, on a case-by-case basis, decide to carry out an impact assessment of a proposal which does not appear on the WP. Green Papers and proposals for consultation with Social Partners are exempted.

Answer 118

A

Committee of Professional Agricultural Organizations (COPA).

Answer 119

A

80% (Qualified majority is the most widely used voting method in the Council. It is used when the Council takes decisions during the OLP. About 80% of all EU legislation is adopted with this procedure.)

Answer 120

A

EURES is a cooperation network within the EU comprised of national public employment services.

Answer 121

A

Migues Angel Martinez Martinez

Answer 122

A

30 percent

Answer 123

A

4 (Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and the Vatican all adopted the Euro as an official currency and have special issuing rights granted by treaties with the EU.)

Answer 124

A

It is also called codification.

Answer 125

A

The new rules entered into force in 2008. (The new rules concerning the status of the Members of the European Parliament was agreed by the Member States in 2009.)

Answer 126

A

1984, 1998

Answer 127

A

Once every 3 months

Answer 128

A

Directive

Answer 129

A

Once a week

Answer 130

A

Letter of formal notice by the Commission

Answer 131

A

CARE (Community Road Accident Database)

Answer 132

A

Establishing the European Committee of the Regions.

Answer 133

A

Conference on the Future of Europe

Answer 134

A

Direct taxes

Answer 135

A

Denmark, France and the Netherlands

Answer 136

A

Edinburgh 1992

Answer 137

A

It both focuses on sectoral issues and puts big issues on the EU policy agenda

Answer 138

A

Director General for Personnel and Administration

Answer 139

A

Directive

Answer 140

A

It is also called codification; Recasting refers to a legislative technique where a legislative proposal/act is a mix of substantial amendment and codification. This technique uses the opportunity provided by a substantial amendment to the basic legislative act to codify the original act and all its subsequent amendments. Unlike codification, recasting changes the substance of the law. Recasting is one form of simplification and a recasting proposal follows a normal legislative procedure according to its legal base. 

Answer 141

A

Israel and palestine decided not to join the partnership because they could not agree on the terms of the agreement

Answer 142

A

Appointing Authority

Answer 143

A

POSEI Programme of Options Specifically Relating to Remoteness and Insularity Programmes.

Answer 144

A

Norway, Iceland ad Liechtenstein are members of the Joint Undertaking.

Answer 145

A

Europe Agreements

Answer 146

A

A referendum usually asks a question or questions to which all eligible electors must vote either ‘yes’ or ‘no’. For electors, referendums are very similar to elections. On polling day, electors go to a polling place and cast their vote on a ballot paper.

Answer 147

A

Subsidiarity control mechanism – orange card. You need to know how it works and the numbers 1/3 or ¼

Answer 148

A

Need to know Members and number. Right answer is 8 with US, Canada, Russia, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and Iceland. Not 10, nor China is a member

Answer 149

A

EU MS to pursue sound public finances and coordinate fiscal policies.
Other answers were tricky because they referred to the SAA, Stabilization and Accession Agreement, mentioning candidate countries and enlargement

Answer 150

A

⋍ 41€ to income support, 14€ to rural development and 2.37€ to market measures.
The fours answers had different combinations of the above but only one had income support as the largest area.

Answer 151

A

The Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) in the area of security and defence policy was established by a Council decision on 11 December 2017, with 25 EU Member States. It offers a legal framework to jointly plan, develop and invest in shared capability projects, and enhance the operational readiness and contribution of armed forces.

Answer 152

A

17 million

Answer 153

A

CATCH system of certificates – correct one

Answer 154

A

The Treaty of Nice amending the EU Treaty, the Treaties establishing the European Communities and certain related acts was signed in the presence of the European Parliament President, Nicole Fontaine. The aim of the Treaty of Nice was to reform the institutional structure of the European Union to with stand the challenges of the new enlargement. With the Treaty of Nice, Parliament’s legislative and supervisory powers are increased and qualified-majority voting is extended to more areas within the Council.
Signed in: Nice (France) 26 February 2001
Entry into force: 1 February 2003
Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union
The Charter of fundamental rights was signed by the Presidents of the European Parliament, the Commission and the Council at the Nice European Council.
Signed in: Nice (France) 7 December 2000 and slightly modified on 12 December 2007 in Strasbourg (France)
Entry into force: As part of the Treaty of Lisbon (and previously, part of the unsuccessful Draft Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe), the Charter will become legally binding once the Treaty of Lisbon enters into force

Answer 155

A

The Minamata Convention on Mercury is the most recent global agreement on environment and health, adopted in 2013. It is named after the bay in Japan where, in the mid-20th century, mercury-tainted industrial wastewater poisoned thousands of people, leading to severe health damage that became known as the “Minamata disease.”
entered into force on 16 August 2017

Answer 156

A

A motion of censure in respect of the Commission may be submitted to the President by one tenth of the component Members of Parliament.
In accordance with Article 234 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the motion of censure shall be adopted if it secures a two-thirds majority of the votes cast, representing a majority of the component Members of Parliament. The President of the Council and the President of the Commission shall be notified of the result of the vote.

Answer 157

A

International Court of Justice

Answer 158

A

The Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) represents a major step in the integration of EU economies. Launched in 1992, EMU involves the coordination of economic and fiscal policies, a common monetary policy, and a common currency, the euro

Answer 159

A

The Werner Plan (or Werner Report) was drawn up by a working group chaired by Pierre Werner, Luxembourg’s Prime Minister and Minister for Finances, and presented in October 1970. It was conducted after the European Summit in The Hague in 1969, where the Heads of State and Government of the European Community agreed to prepare a plan for economic and monetary union.

The three stage plan proposed gradual, institutional reform leading to the irrevocable fixing of exchange rates and the adoption of a single currency within a decade, but it did not recommend the establishment of a central bank. The plan was never implemented because of pressure of the United States (France retired its support after a France-US meeting in the Azores at the end of 1971).

Answer 160

A

1988 to Nelson Mandela and Anatoli Marchenko

Answer 161

A

New binding renewable energy target for the EU for 2030 of at least 32%, with a clause for a possible upwards revision by 2023. This target is a continuation of the 20% target for 2020.

Answer 162

A

in addition to direct and indirect management – explicitly extended to Member States’ authorities and any person implementing EU funds under shared management.

Answer 163

A

Parliament’s consent is required for the adoption of international fisheries agreements. In addition, it must be immediately and fully informed of any decision concerning the provisional application or the suspension of agreements.

Answer 164

A

llegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing is widely recognised as a significant environmental, economic and social problem. It represents a major threat to marine ecosystems, a disruption for the seafood market, and an unfair disadvantage for responsible fishermen. Combatting IUU fishing has become a key means for achieving sustainable management of global fisheries. While the root cause of IUU fishing is states’ failure to discipline vessels operating under their flag, tackling this phenomenon requires a many-sided approach and involves a whole range of international instruments. These instruments define a system of mutually reinforcing measures, tailored for each of the different responsibilities that countries have over their fishing vessels (as flag states), their waters (as coastal states), access to their ports (as port states), and access to their market (as market states).

Answer 165

A

Deepen defence cooperation between EU Member States
Only 25 MS

Answer 166

A

The main objective of ITER is to demonstrate the scientific and technological feasibility of fusion energy for peaceful purposes

Answer 167

A

chief co-ordinator and representative of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP)

Answer 168

A

Ease access to finance for SMEs by providing loan guarantees and risk capital (access to finance)
Help companies access new markets, within and outside the EU (access to markets)
Create a business-friendly environment by reducing the administrative burden on SMEs (improving conditions for businesses)
Encourage an entrepreneurial culture (encouraging entrepreneurship)

Answer 169

A

Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

Answer 170

A

The 12 founding members of the Alliance were: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Answer 171

A

The Commission holds the ‘right of initiative’, i.e. the prerogative to propose legislation at Union level (Article 17 TEU). It should be noted, however, that in specific cases provided for in the Treaties a proposal for a legislative act may also be submitted to the ordinary legislative procedure on the initiative of a group of Member States, on a recommendation by the European Central Bank, or at the request of the Court of Justice (Article 294(15) TFEU). For example: a quarter of the Member States can initiate a legislative procedure in the field of police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters (Article 76 TFEU)

Answer 172

A

510 (correct answer, UK left officially 31 January 2020)

Answer 173

A

all MS need to establish an organization (or similar) that checks for discriminations, conducts surveys and independent reports

Note: it’s six main titles are dignity, freedom, equality, solidarity, justice, citizens rights. NOT education

Answer 174

A

Treaty of Maastricht

Answer 175

A

Unanimous decision by the Council + majority of votes by the EP

Answer 176

A

At least 32% renewable energy consumption until 2030

Answer 177

A

To stand as a candidate for national elections in another MS.

Answer 178

A

Adopted 1967, no property claims.

Answer 179

A

The Commission of the European Union (EU) takes part in the work of the OECD, in accordance with the Supplementary Protocol to the Convention on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. This participation goes well beyond that of a mere observer.
23 EU

Answer 180

A

Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain
19

Answer 181

A

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a multilateral development bank that aims to improve economic and social outcomes in Asia. The bank currently has 105 members, including 14 prospective members from around the world.
HQ: Bejing

Answer 182

A

The subsidiarity control mechanism applies in areas where the EU does not have exclusive competence
In cases where national Parliaments consider that draft legislative acts do not comply with subsidiarity, they can send a reasoned opinion to the Commission within eight weeks.

Answer 183

A

Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes & their Disposal

Answer 184

A

Any national government, EP or EC

Answer 185

A

The Durand Line is the 2,640-kilometer (1,640-mile) border between Afghanistan and Pakistan

Answer 186

A

510 (correct answer since UK left officially 31 January 2020)

Answer 187

A

A points = No discussion / B-points = discussion

Council negotiates, adopts, adapts EU legislation and coordinates policies. In most cases, Council decides together with EP through OLP/codecision (= policy areas with exclusive/shared competence (~85)). Most EU legal acts in this procedure are adopted at 1st reading (max. 3 readings.

At each reading the proposal passes through 3 levels at the Council:
Working party: “preparatory bodies”
COREPER
Council configuration

If COREPER can finalise discussions on a proposal, the proposal becomes an ‘A’ item on the Council agenda, meaning that the agreement is accepted without debate (2/3 of the items on the agenda). On the other hand, ‘B’ section of the Council agenda includes points:
Left over from previous Council meetings
No agreement reached in Coreper/ at working party level
Too politically sensitive to be settled at a lower level

Answer 188

A

All MS need to establish an organization (or similar) that checks for discriminations, conducts surveys and independent reports.

Answer 189

A

93% climate change is a serious problem; 94% environmental protection is important; 83% EU legislation is necessary to protect the environment.

Answer 190

A

Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay. Venezuela, which officially joined 2012, was suspended from membership in 2017. Associate countries (not members per se): Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru and Suriname. New Zealand and Mexico are observers.

Answer 191

A

Quantitative easing (QE) is an advanced monetary policy of central banks to stimulate growth in a stagnant economy by large scale buying of government bonds and other assets.

Answer 192

A

The Early Warning System (EWS) is an internal information tool that helps the European Commission and its executive agencies to identify third parties that pose financial and/or other risks. Part of this tool, a Central Exclusion Database is accessible by all public authorities that implement EU funds. The database includes all entities — companies, organisations or natural persons — which have been excluded from EU funding because they are insolvent, have been convicted of serious professional misconduct or criminal offence against the EU’s financial interests. Such a blacklist allows authorities to identify risky entities and take the appropriate precautionary measures, such as not entering into a contract with a particular service provider. This helps to ensure the sound financial management of European Union funds and to prevent fraud.

Answer 193

A

Rebates.
The EU budget obeys the nine general rules of unity, budgetary accuracy, annuality, equilibrium, unit of account (the euro), universality, specification (each appropriation is allocated to a particular kind of expenditure), sound financial management and transparency, pursuant to Articles 6 to 38 of the Regulation on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the EU.

Answer 194

A

“A multilateral agreement on international cooperation on monetary policy”
The Bretton Woods system of monetary management established the rules for commercial and financial relations among the United States, Canada, Western European countries, Australia, and Japan after the 1944 Bretton Woods Agreement. The Bretton Woods system was the first example of a fully negotiated monetary order intended to govern monetary relations among independent states. The Bretton Woods system required countries to guarantee convertibility of their currencies into U.S. dollars to within 1% of fixed parity rates, with the dollar convertible to gold bullion for foreign governments and central banks at US$35 per troy ounce of fine gold (or 0.88867 gram fine gold per dollar). It also envisioned greater cooperation among countries in order to prevent future competitive devaluations, and thus established the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to monitor exchange rates and lend reserve currencies to nations with balance of payments deficits.

Answer 195

A

The Monroe Doctrine was a United States foreign policy position that opposed European colonialism in the Western Hemisphere. It held that any intervention in the political affairs of the Americas by foreign powers was a potentially hostile act against the U.S. The doctrine was central to U.S. foreign policy for much of the 19th and early 20th centuries.
It aimed to prevent European powers from extending their influence in the Western hemisphere.

Answer 196

A

It is submitted to the Commission who should review it within 3 months.

Answer 197

A

SAARC South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation
SADC South African Development Community

Answer 198

A

The Cotonou Agreement is a close partnership based on a series of principles: The partners to the agreement are equal. The ACP countries determine their own development policies. Cooperation is not only among governments: parliaments, local authorities, civil society, the private sector, economic and social partners play a role as well. The Cotonou Agreement is the most comprehensive Partnership Agreement between developing countries and the EU.

Answer 199

A

A forum of industrialised countries.
The G20 or Group of Twenty is an intergovernmental forum comprising 19 countries and the European Union (EU). It works to address major issues related to the global economy, such as international financial stability,climate change mitigation, an sustainable development.
The G20 is composed of most of the world’s largest economies, including both industrialized and developing nations, and accounts for around 90% of gross world product (GWP), 75–80% of international trade, two-thirds of the global population, and roughly half the world’s land area.

Answer 200

A

The Rotterdam Convention is a multilateral treaty to promote shared responsibilities in relation to importation of hazardous chemical. (signature 1998, into force 2004)

Answer 201

A

Treaty of Lisbon

Answer 202

A

European Network and Information Security Agency

Answer 203

A

COSME- Europe’s programme for small and medium-sized enterprises. Aims to boost SME’s competitiveness.

Answer 204

A

Elected by the General Assembly, for a 2-year non-renewable term, presidency rotates in alphabetic order; also tricky, in the other options one of these elements was in turn modified (e.g. “elected by UNSC permanent members following proposal by the GA”, or “for a 2-year term with possibility of immediate re-election”).

Answer 205

A

The Council takes its decisions by simple majority, qualified majority or unanimity; I was not sure about another option that read: “The Council can vote on a legislative act 12 weeks after the draft has been sent to national parliaments”, but in fact it’s 8 weeks. The other two options were easy to rule out.

Answer 206

A

(a) customs union
(b) the establishing of the competition rules necessary for the functioning of the internal market
(c) monetary policy for the Member States whose currency is the euro
(d) the conservation of marine biological resources under the common fisheries policy (e) common commercial policy.
+ trade policy

Answer 207

A

In 1942, by Franklin D. Roosevelt. Careful, it was NOT coined at the San Francisco Conference.

Answer 208

A

Under pressure from the European Parliament, the Copenhagen Summit of April 1978 set the date of the first European direct elections for 7-10 June 1979.

Answer 209

A

The agreements set up Nuclear-weapon-free zone in respectively Latin America (1967), South Pacific (1985), South Asia (1995) and Africa (1996)

Answer 210

A

In case of a breach of subsidiarity, the Committee of the Regions or the MS may refer an act directly to CJEU.
Three preconditions for intervention by EU institutions in accordance with subsidiarity principle:
area concerned no exclusive EU competence (non-exclusivity)
objectives cannot be sufficiently achieved by MS (necessity)
action can be implemented more successfully by the Union (added value).

Answer 211

A

Proposition by the EC. Reading by EP to approve or amend. Reading by Council to approve EP position or amend the EC proposition.

Answer 212

A

Unanimity for European Council as it votes with Qualified Majority. The European Council proposes a candidate (taking into consideration the results of the EP election). Once proposed, the parliament votes on the candidate by a majority of its members. (Article 17(7) TEU)

Answer 213

A

Article 312 TFEU:
Proposal for regulation laying down MFF submitted by EC & Council.
EP must approve via absolute majority (majority of MEPs) – consent from the EP
Council adopts it unanimously

Answer 214

A

A European Union instrument for institutional cooperation between Public Administrations of EU Member States and of beneficiary or partner countries.

Answer 215

A

The right answer should be the one related to definition/regulation of labor rights.

Answer 216

A

EU Court of Auditors

Answer 217

A

Islands located in the South Chinese Sea

Answer 218

A

The alert mechanism report (AMR) is the starting point of the annual cycle of the macroeconomic imbalance procedure (MIP). On this basis, the AMR identifies countries that need an in-depth review (IDR) by the Commission to assess how macroeconomic risks are evolving, and to determine the presence of imbalances or excessive imbalances. The AMR is presented during the European Semester

Answer 219

A

The Luxembourg Compromise (or “Luxembourg Accord”) was an agreement reached in January 1966 to resolve the “Empty Chair Crisis”. The Luxembourg Compromise is viewed as a turning of the tide in the history of European integration. It safeguarded the intergovernmental nature of the EC, therefore preserving state sovereignty. It also prevented the EC from further consolidating power and therefore becoming more supranational, or taking power out of the hands of the states.

Answer 220

A

political criteria: stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities;
economic criteria: a functioning market economy and the capacity to cope with competition and market forces;
administrative and institutional capacity to effectively implement and ability to take on the obligations of membership.
For EU accession negotiations to be launched, a country must satisfy the first criterion.

Answer 221

A

The leading Intergovernmental organization promoting cooperation, coordination etc. among 8 Arctic countries: (USA, Russia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden.

Answer 222

A

12 countries: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States

Answer 223

A

The Esquipulas Nicaraguan Peace Agreement, also known as the Central American Peace Accords, was a peace initiative in the mid-1980s to settle the military conflicts that had plagued Central America for many years. The agreement was named for Esquipulas, Guatemala, where the initial meetings took place. Signature on 15 February 1987.

Answer 224

A

The EP cannot dismiss the Ombudsman. The EP can only suggest it.

Answer 225

A

The International Criminal Court

Answer 226

A

10 October 2013 – The Minamata Convention on Mercury is an international treaty designed to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds

Answer 227

A

The Marshall Plan (officially the European Recovery Program, ERP) was an American initiative enacted in 1948 to provide foreign aid to Western Europe. The United States transferred over $13 billion (equivalent of about $115 billion in 2021) in economic recovery programs to Western European economies after the end of World War II.

Answer 228

A

A member of the Council can act on the behalf of one other absent member as long as the majority of the Council’s members are present.
The Council can vote on a legislative act 8 weeks after the draft act has been sent to national parliaments for their examination.

Answer 229

A

EC shall forward its draft legislative acts and amended drafts to national Parliaments at the same time as to the Union legislators. National parliaments enforce subsidiarity in face of EC legislative proposal. They have the opportunity to send a reasoned opinion in 8 weeks.

Yellow card procedure: If 1/3 of national parliaments (1/4 for freedom, security and justice) submit a reasoned opinion stating it violates subsidiarity, EC must decide whether to maintain, change or withdraw it and give reason. Used 3 times so far.

Orange card procedure: If reasoned opinion represents majority of votes, EC must review and decide whether to maintain, change or withdraw the proposal. The EC will have to demonstrate in front of EP and Council why it complies with the principle of subsidiarity. Never used so far.

Answer 230

A

The Commission identifies possible infringements of EU law on the basis of its own investigations or following complaints from citizens, businesses or other stakeholders.
That action may also be brought by another MS, although rare.
If MS concerned fails to communicate measures that fully transpose the provisions of directives or does not rectify the suspected violation to the EU law, the EC may launch a formal infringement procedure. The infringement procedure should be approved by 2/3 majority of the MEP. The length of the infringement procedure is on average 35, maximum 48.

Answer 231

A

EC prepares and adopts delegated acts after consulting expert groups (representatives from each MS)

Answer 232

A

The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances that are responsible for ozone depletion.

Answer 233

A

Coordination of fiscal policies to ensure sound fiscal policies/public finances and correct excessive budgets or debt

Answer 234

A

It has 399 members representing local and regional entities of EU MS. It meets 5/6 times a year.

Answer 235

A

Citizenship of the Union is hereby established. Every person holding the nationality of a Member State shall be a citizen of the Union. Citizenship of the Union shall be additional to and not replace national citizenship.

Citizens of the Union shall enjoy the rights and be subject to the duties provided for in the Treaties. They shall have, inter alia:
(a) the right to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States;
(b) the right to vote and to stand as candidates in elections to the European Parliament and in municipal elections in their Member State of residence, under the same conditions as nationals of that State;
(c) the right to enjoy, in the territory of a third country in which the Member State of which they are nationals is not represented, the protection of the diplomatic and consular authorities of any Member State on the same conditions as the nationals of that State;
(d) the right to petition the European Parliament, to apply to the European Ombudsman, and to address the institutions and advisory bodies of the Union in any of the Treaty languages and to obtain a reply in the same language.

These rights shall be exercised in accordance with the conditions and limits defined by the Treaties and by the measures adopted thereunder.

Answer 236

A

Provide independent scientific advice to the institutions and support to the EU policy.

Answer 237

A

In Beijing

Answer 238

A

Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey, the Republic of North Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo

Answer 239

A

Chair of the GAC (the other options are head of EEAS, VP and chair of FAC)

Answer 240

A

The secretariat was established in 1992 when countries adopted the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. (the other options were the Paris Agreement, Kyoto Protocol and one of the Treaties)

Answer 241

A

12 countries: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States

Answer 242

A

The European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Commission, the Court of Justice of the European Union, the European Central Bank, the Court of Auditors

Answer 243

A

Twice a year (biannual)

Answer 244

A

(The Bosman case (Union Royale Belge v Bosman, Case C-415/93) resulted in a landmark ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) applying the right of free movement to professional footballers – and by implication other sportsmen – by allowing them to transfer without undue hindrance to another club at the end of their existing contract)
Free movement of workers

Answer 245

A

A new international monetary system was forged by delegates from forty-four nations in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, in July 1944. Those at Bretton Woods envisioned an international monetary system that would ensure exchange rate stability, prevent competitive devaluations, and promote economic growth. Delegates to the conference agreed to establish the International Monetary Fund and International Bank for Reconstruction and Development – the latter now known as the World Bank Group. The system of currency convertibility that emerged from Bretton Woods lasted until 1971. The United States could no longer fulfill its obligation to redeem dollars for gold at the official price. In 1971, President Richard Nixon ended the dollar’s convertibility to gold

Answer 246

A

Military conflict in Central America

Answer 247

A

Health Equity

Answer 248

A

It is one of the pillars of the Investment Plan for Europe, known as the Juncker Plan.

Managed by the European investment bank

Budget is €33.5 billion

Answer 249

A

Albania is not a beneficiary

Key objective of SIGMA: strengen public governance and socio-economic development as well as horizontal governance

Created 1992, partly financed by the EU, aims also at strengthening the implementation of EU legislation

Answer 250

A

70% of basic salary

Answer 251

A

Brussels and Luxembourg

Answer 252

A

VAT legislation

Answer 253

A

Agricultural policy

Answer 254

A

It was both an attempt at monetary cooperation and a response to the currency turmoil in the late 1960s- early 1970s and the destabilization of European markets

Answer 255

A

Consultation procedure

Answer 256

A

2014-2020: 408 billion

2021-2027:

The EU’s multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2021-27, adopted on 17 December 2020, amounts to €1.21 trillion (in current prices) with an additional €808 billion from the next generation EU recovery instrument. The total allocation for the common agricultural policy (CAP) amounts to €386.6 billion

Answer 257

A

An unidentified political object

Answer 258

A

2015 under the Juncker Commission

Answer 259

A

AST 1to 4

Answer 260

A

Director General for Personnel and Administration

Answer 261

A

The first Community Regulation determining official languages was passed in 1958. It specified Dutch, French, German and Italian as the first official languages of the EU, these being the languages of the MSs at the time.

Answer 262

A

Commissioners may not engage in any other professional activity, whether paid or unpaid. Giving courses free of charge in the interests of the EU integration is explicitly permitted in the Code of Conduct for the Commissioners.

Answer 263

A

Strasbourg and Brussels-> MEPs must meet for a plenary session in Strasbourg every month. Every year there are a maximum of 6 plenaries which are hosted in Brussels.

Answer 264

A

Is optional for lobby organisations

Answer 265

A

16%, while the present term’s ratio is about 37%.

Answer 266

A

Didier Reynolds

Answer 267

A

Eight years non-renewable.

Answer 268

A

The European Police College (CEPOL), is an agency of the EU dedicated to developing, implementing and coordinating training for law enforcement officials.

Answer 269

A

Catherin Ashton-> she was appointed as the HR/VP on 1 December 2009.

Answer 270

A

Has no executive powers: the objective of Europol is to improve police cooperation between MSs in order to combat terrorism, unlawful drug trafficking and other serious forms of international organised crime. It is established in The Hague, NL.

(Other incorrect answers: has a comparable remit to the FBI, its objective is to improve judicial cooperation, it is established in Warsaw)

Answer 271

A

Is organised by the European Economic and Social Committee, in close cooperation with the European Commission and the MS holding the Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Answer 272

A

EUR 408.31 billion-> 38% of the overall EU budget.

For the new budget: 387 billion, 30.9%.

Answer 273

A

2016-> The solvency Directive became fully applicable to the European insurers and reinsurers on 1/1/2016. Solvency II is a harmonised, sound and robust prudential framework for insurance firms to the EU.

Answer 274

A

Common Agriculture and Fisheries Policies-> however, it does contain provisions on trade in agricultural and fish products.

Answer 275

A

NOT Turkey, which is part of the customs union.

Norway, Lichtenstein, Iceland, Switzerland ARE.

Answer 276

A

Bilaterally

Answer 277

A

No.

Council authorises the EC to negotiate a new trade agreement on behalf of the EU (“negotiating mandate”). Council provides negotiating directives incl. objectives, scope & possible time limits of negotiations. EC then negotiates with the partner country, in close cooperation with Council & EP After agreement on the text with partners: EC submits proposals for adoption to Council. Following discussions, the Council adopts a decision for the signature of the agreement on behalf of the EU. It then transmits the signed agreement to the EP for consent. Then, the Council adopts the decision to conclude the agreement.

Answer 278

A

The EC, mandated by the Council.

Answer 279

A

Standard GSP for low & lower-middle income countries: partial/full removal of customs duties on 2/3 of tariff lines.

GSP+: special incentive arrangement for sustainability & good governance

Everything but arms (EBA) in relation to the GSP (general scheme of oreference)

Initiative under which all imports to EU from LDCs are (automatically, even if the LDCs have another trade arrangement in place) duty- & quota-free, excl. weapons. into force 2001. part of EU GSP.

Answer 280

A

only Norway & Switzerland remain from the founding ones

The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is a regional trade organization & free trade area consisting of 4 European states: IS LI, NO & CH. All 4 MS participate in the European Single Market & are part of the Schengen Area. They are not party to the EU Customs Union.

Answer 281

A

1. Support for Improvement in Governance & Management. Joint EC & OECD initiative, principally financed by EU. Focus: strengthen public management in areas like administrative reform, public procurement, anti-corruption, financial control.

Partner countries:

ALB, B&H, KOS, MNT, N. Macedonia, SRB, TR as EU (potential) candidate countries

ALG, ARM, AZER, EGY, GEO, JDN, LEB, MOLD, MORO, TUN, UKR as EU Neighborhood countries.

Answer 282

A

The Kellogg-Briand Pact is international agreement in which signatory states promised not to use war to resolve “disputes or conflicts of whatever nature or of whatever origin they may be, which may arise among them”.

Answer 283

A

ALB, B&H, Kosovo, N. Macedonia, MNTG & SRB.

Answer 284

A

103 members (57 founding)

Mission to improve social & economic outcomes in Asia

Beijing

2015/2016

Answer 285

A

membership: all EU MS + EU itself as non-member observer (2006), 57 participating states

Answer 286

A

· 37 members, 22 EU MS

· EU no member (no voting / budget contribution but EC participates in work & has a permanent delegation to OECD)

Answer 287

A

EUCO appoints HR (with agreement by EC president) by QMV for 5 years & can end it with QM.

Answer 288

A

EUCO elects its own president by QM for a 2.5 year term, renewable once.

Answer 289

A

· General Affairs;

· Foreign Affairs;

· Economic and Financial Affairs;

· Justice and Home Affairs;

· Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs;

· Competitiveness (Internal Market, Industry, Research and Space);

· Transport, Telecommunications and Energy;

· Agriculture and Fisheries;

· Environment;

· Education, Youth, Culture and Sport.

Answer 290

A

Consent: EP can accept/ reject a legislative proposal by absolute majority, but cannot amend it (used for withdrawal/ acceptance of a new MS, negotiation of new international agreements, serious breach of fundamental rights, new law on anti-discrimination);

Consultation: EP may approve, reject or propose amendments to a legislative proposal (e.g. for internal market exemptions, financial matters & competition law, international agreements concerning CFSP). Council must consult EP (& in some cases also CoR, EESC, ECB), but is not bound by EP’ position.

Answer 291

A

MS holding the presidency work together closely in groups of three. Introduced by the Lisbon Treaty. The trio sets long-term goals & prepares a common agenda determining the topics & major issues that will be addressed by the Council over an 18-month period. Based on this programme, each Presidency prepares its own 6-month programme.

Answer 292

A

Unanimous decision by the Council + majority of votes in the EP.

Answer 293

A

23 MEP representing at least one-quarter (7) of the MS.

Members may not belong to >1 political group.

Answer 294

A

*conclude & negotiate international agreements in accordance with its external commitments.

*become a member of IOs.

*join international conventions, such as the ECHR.

Answer 295

A

Once an EU law is passed, it can be necessary to

(1) update it to reflect the developments in a particular sector -> delegated acts

(2) ensure it is implemented properly -> implementing acts

EP & Council can authorise the EC to adopt such acts

Delegated act (Art. 290 TFEU):

· non-legislative, binding acts that supplement/ amend non-essential elements of a legislative act.

· widely used in many areas: internal market, agriculture, environment, consumer protection, transport, & area of freedom, security & justice.

· legislative act must define objectives, scope, content & duration of the delegation of power

· EP (simple majority) & Council (QM) can object/remove the delegation

EC prepares & adopts delegated acts after consulting expert groups (representatives from each MS)

Citizens & other stakeholders can provide feedback on the draft text act during a 4-week period. Exceptions, e.g. in case of emergency or when citizens and stakeholders have already contributed.

Once EC has adopted the act, EP & Council have 2 months to formulate any objections. If they do not, the delegated act enters into force.

Ø Implementing acts

Applies in taxation, agriculture, internal market, health safety regulation

Process: EC consults a committee representing MS (procedure referred as Comitology)

Citizens & stakeholders can provide feedback on the draft text for 4 weeks before the committee votes. Exceptions e.g. emergency or when citizens & stakeholders have already contributed.

Green paper =1st step, alongside consultation, in pre-proposal phase of legislation. Invites participation in consultation & debate. May give rise to legisl. developments outlined in White Papers.

White Papers = proposals for EU action in a specific area. Sometimes follow on from a Green Paper. Purpose: launch a debate with the public, stakeholders, EP & Council to reach a political consensus.

Answer 296

A

55% of MS (15), min. 65% of EU population = double majority rule

When the Council votes on a proposal not coming from EC or HR, reinforced QM needed

· at least 72% of Council members vote in favour (19)

· at least 65% of the EU population

Abstention under QMV = vote against. Not the same as not participating in the vote.

Vote only if majority of members present. C. member may only act on behalf of 1 other member.

Blocking minority: at least 4 MS (15%) representing > 35% of the EU population.

Answer 297

A

allows the Council to change its voting procedure from unanimity to QMV on specific policy areas (excl. military). Introduced with Lisbon.

Answer 298

A

elect head of the EC, approve/reject international agreements, co-decide on the full budget (equal say with Council), new legislative powers (> 40 new fields, same level as Council), citizens’ initiative

Answer 299

A

Established in 2010 as an annual cycle of economic & fiscal policy coordination. Core component of EMU. Aggregates processes of control & coordination of budgetary, fiscal, economic & social policies.

Runs November- June, preceded by national semesters July- October in which recommendations introduced by EC & approved by Council are to be construed into national legislation.

(monitoring, prevention, correction)

Goals:

· ensure sound public finances (avoid excessive government debt)

· prevent excessive macroeconomic imbalances in the EU

· support structural reforms, to create more jobs & growth

· boost investment.

Answer 300

A

Annual Sustainable Growth Survey (ASGS) – Autumn Package outlines the EU’s economic & employment policy priorities for the coming 12- 18 months. 4 dimensions: environmental sustainability, productivity, fairness, macroeconomic stability. EC gives MS policy guidance. It applies to the EU as a whole and to MS individually. Its main messages will form the basis for the Country-Specific Recommendations next spring.

Answer 301

A

2014

Objective: prevent emerging threats to escalate to the point where EC has to trigger Article 7 TEU.

3-stage process. They are:

· EC assessment

· EC recommendation

· monitoring of the EU country’s follow-up to the EC recommendation

If no solution is found within the framework, Article 7 is the last resort

Answer 302

A

3 headline targets for the EU 2030 in line with the SDGs

· At least 78% of people aged 20 to 64 in employment.

· At least 60% of all adults participate in training every year.

· number of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion reduced by at least 15 millio

Answer 303

A

General Secretariat of the Council took over in 1999, as set out in the Treaty of Amsterdam.

Answer 304

A

Seeks to bring more coherence to higher education systems across Europe. Established the European Higher Education Area to facilitate student & staff mobility, make higher education more inclusive, accessible, attractive and competitive.

As part of the European Higher Education Area, all participating countries agreed to:

· 3-cycle higher education system (bachelor’s, master’s & doctoral studies)

· mutual recognition of qualifications & learning periods abroad completed at other universities

· system of quality assurance, to strengthen the quality of learning & teaching

(No promotion of language learning)

Answer 305

A

A European Green Deal
A Europe fit for the digital age
An economy that works for people
A stronger Europe in the world
Promoting our European way of life
A new push for European democracy

Answer 306

A

1957

Main source of EU development aid for ACP countries & overseas territories. Until 2020 directly financed by the MS (voluntary donations), subject to its own financial rules & procedures, managed by EC & EIB. Incorporated into the EU’s general budget as of the 2021-2027 MFF.

Answer 307

A

Unity, budgetary accuracy, annuality, equilibrium, unit of account (€), universality, specification (each appropriation for particular kind of expenditure), sound financial management, transparency

Answer 308

A

Set up to respond to major natural disasters & express European solidarity to disaster-stricken regions within Europe. Created as a reaction to the severe floods in Central Europe in 2002.

Answer 309

A

(1.074 trillion) + NGEU (750 bn.) =€1.8 trillion

Answer 310

A

*1991, internat. centre for training & debate for lawyers. Public foundation based in Trier. Objective: promote the awareness, understanding & good practice of European law. Funded by EU & all MS.

Answer 311

A

1951/57: BE, NL, LUX, DE, FR, IT (6)

1973 : DK, IE, UK

1981: EL

1986: PT, ES

1995: AT, FI, SE

2004: PL, CZ, SK, HU, EE, LT, LV, CY, MT, SI

2007:RO; BG

2013: HR

Answer 312

A

Ø Treaty establishing the European Coal & Steel Community

Signed 1951, entered into force 1952

Purpose: to create interdependence in coal & steel so that one country could no longer mobilise its armed forces without others knowing. This eased distrust & tensions after WWII.

Ø Treaties of Rome : EEC & EURATOM treaties

Signed 1957, entered into force 1958

Purpose: to set up the EEC & Euratom

Main changes: extension of European integration to include general economic cooperation.

Ø Merger Treaty - Brussels Treaty

Signed 1965, entered into force 1967

Purpose: to streamline the European institutions.

Main changes: creation of a single EC & a single Council to serve the then three European Communities (EEC, Euratom, ECSC).

Ø Single Euro

Signed 1986, entered into force 1987

Purpose: to reform the institutions in preparation for PT & ES membership & speed up decision-making in preparation for the single market.

Main changes: extension of QMV in Council, creation of cooperation & assent procedures, giving EP more influence.

Ø Treaty on European Union - Maastricht Treaty

Signed 1992, entered into force 1993

Purpose: to prepare for European Monetary Union & introduce elements of a political union (citizenship, common foreign & internal affairs policy).

Main changes: establishment of the EU & introduction of the co-decision procedure, giving EP more say in decision-making. New forms of cooperation between EU governments e.g. on defence & justice & home affairs.

Ø Treaty of Amsterdam

Signed 1997, entered into force 1999

Purpose: To reform the EU institutions in preparation for the arrival of future MS

Main changes: amendment, renumbering & consolidation of EU & EEC treaties. More transparent decision-making (increased use of OLP).

Ø Treaty of Nice

Signed 2001, entered into force 2003

Purpose: to reform the institutions so that the EU could function efficiently after reaching 25 MS

Main changes: changing the composition of the EC & redefining the voting system in the Council.

Ø Treaty of Lisbon

Signed 2007, entered into force 2009

Purpose: to make the EU more democratic, efficient & better able to address global problems 1 voice.

Main changes: more power for the EP, change of voting procedures in the Council, citizens’ initiative, permanent EUCO president, a new HR for Foreign Affairs, EEAS, legal personality of EU

The Lisbon treaty clarifies which powers:

belong to the EU
belong to MS
are shared.

Answer 313

A

To facilitate and maintain the stability of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU)

Answer 314

A

1972: EEC central-bank governors concluded the ‘Basel Agreement’, creating a mechanism called the ‘Snake in the tunnel’: MS could fluctuate within narrow limits against the $ & central banks could buy and sell European currencies, provided they remained within the fluctuation margin of 2.25%.

Original participants in the mechanism: FR, DE, IT, LUX, NL

First oil crisis in 1973 & weak compliance -> mechanism’s failure.

BUT: momentum built over previous decade endured, continued efforts for area of currency stability.

Answer 315

A

European Exchange Rate mechanism (ERM) was introduced in 1979 to stabilise exchange rates

Part of the Banking Union are European Deposit Insurance Scheme, Single Supervisory Mechanism, & Single Resolution Mechanism

Answer 316

A

To join the euro area, MS must fulfil ‘convergence/Maastricht criteria’

Answer 317

A

Set up as financial institution in 2013 (fusion of former Stability Fund & Financial Stability Mechanism).

Mission: Financial assistance to euro area countries experiencing severe financing problems to safeguard the financial stability

Answer 318

A

ECB President (Christine Lagarde) & Vice-President & 4 other members, all appointed for 8-year terms by leaders of the eurozone MS (EUCO, via QM, after EP consultation).

Answer 319

A

Keep global temperature rise below 2C, ideally 1.5, & reduce emissions by 55% from 1990 levels by 2030, “net-zero” by 2050

Answer 320

A

CJEU1995. Freedom of movement for workers + freedom of association

Context: Bosman vs. FC Liège (ECJ sanctioned UEFA’s national quota imposition in football clubs)

Answer 321

A

Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey, the Republic of North Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo

Answer 322

A

EB + 19 governors of euro area NCBS

Answer 323

A

consists of the European Central Bank
(ECB) and the national central banks (NCBs) of all 27 member states of the European Union (EU).

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