QUESTIONS

FEBRUARY 2019:

Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) (x-infinite)

Official
Launched in 1962.
The CAP is a common policy for all EU countries. It is managed and funded at European level from the
resources of the EU’s budget.

Despite the importance of food production, farmers’ income is around 40% lower compared to non-
agricultural income

The European Commission assesses the CAP through the common monitoring and evaluation framework
(CMEF).

Business uncertainties and the environmental impact of farming justify the significant role that the public
sector plays for our farmers. The CAP takes action with:

 income support through direct payments ensures income stability, and remunerates farmers for
environmentally friendly farming and delivering public goods not normally paid for by the markets,
such as taking care of the countryside;

 market measures to deal with difficult market situations such as a sudden drop in demand due to a
health scare, or a fall in prices as a result of a temporary oversupply on the market;

 rural development measures with national and regional programmes to address the specific needs
and challenges facing rural areas.

The EU supports farmers with €58.82 billion in 2018

Income support: €41.74 billion, Rural development: €14.37 billion, Market measures: €2.7 billion

Overall budget 160 billion

There are around 10 million farms in the EU and 22 million people work regularly in the sector

The farming and food sectors together provide nearly 40 million jobs in the EU.

The CAP is financed through two funds as part of the EU budget:

 the European agricultural guarantee fund (EAGF) provides direct support and funds market measures;

 the European agricultural fund for rural development (EAFRD) finances rural development.

Payments are managed at the national level by each European Union country. Information about the recipients
of CAP payments is published by each country, in accordance with EU transparency rules.

The legal basis for the common agricultural policy is established in the Treaty on the functioning of the
European Union.

2013

The CAP is reformed to strengthen the competitiveness of the sector, promote sustainable farming and
innovation, to support jobs and growth in rural areas and to move financial assistance towards the productive
use of land.

2003
The CAP provides income support. A new CAP reform cuts the link between subsidies and production. Farmers
now receive an income support, on condition that they look after the farmland and fulfil food safety,
environmental, animal health and welfare standards.

1992

The CAP shifts from market support to producer support. Price support is scaled down and replaced with direct
payments to farmers. They are encouraged to be more environmentally friendly.
The reform coincides with the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, which launches the principle of sustainable
development.

Where is the EBA (European Banking Authority) based? (x3)

Paris (before it was London) 2011

Definition of referendum? (x2)

A direct public vote on a policy issue.
[Direct citizen's vote on a policy matter]

3. Which country joined the euro in 2015 out of Croatia (never), Estonia (2011), Latvia (2014) and Lithuania
(2015)? (x2)
Lithuania

What is the EU's cultural programme called? (x2)

Creative Europe.

6. What majority do you need to adopt a motion of censure? (x7)

Two-thirds majority to dismiss the whole Commission.
A motion of censure in respect of the Commission may be submitted to the President by one tenth of the
component Members of Parliament. If a motion of censure has been voted on in the preceding two months,
any new one tabled by less than one fifth of the component Members of Parliament shall be inadmissible.
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.

8. What are the Horizon 2020 project selection criteria? (x2)

Impact, excellence, & efficiency of the implementation.

9. Who set up the New Development Bank? (x2)

Leaders of the BRICS countries.
During the sixth BRICS Summit in Fortaleza (2014), the leaders signed the Agreement establishing
the New Development Bank (NDB).
At the signing of the Headquarters Agreement with the government of the People’s Republic of China
and the Memorandum of Understanding with the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government on 27
February 2016, the NDB became fully operational.

10. What is the % of the GDP to be spent on R&D?

3% under the Horizon 2020: the European Union strategy for growth and employment.

11. What was the previous role of Juncker? (x3)

Juncker was the first Permanent President of the EuroGroup; before that Prime Minister of Luxembourg.
President of the European Commission (2014 - 2019) · Minister for the Treasury (2009 - 2013) · President of the
Eurogroup (2005 - 2013)
12. What was the previous role of Tusk? (x2)
Now President of the European People's Party
was President of the European Council from 2014 to 2019
Prime Minister of Poland (2007–2014)

13. How do we call an agreement that cannot be improved because all parties’ interests are satisfied?
Win-win.

14. How often is EuroBarometer published/collected? (x2)

Twice a year, in Spring and Autumn.

15. How does the EU support trade in developing countries? (x2)

Aid for Trade: Globally the EU and its Member States are the biggest provider of Aid for Trade. In 2015 alone,
EU commitments amounted to a record €13.16 billion per year. Managed with WTO.
The WTO-led Aid for Trade initiative encourages developing country governments and donors to recognize the
role that trade can play in development. In particular, the initiative seeks to mobilize resources to address the
trade-related constraints identified by developing and least-developed countries.

The EU’s Aid for Trade (AfT) strategy was adopted in 2007, in response to the Aid for Trade initiative launched
by the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2005, encouraging developing countries to recognise the role trade
can play in their sustainable development. The EU’s AfT strategy helps partner countries better integrate into
the global trading system and take greater advantage of the poverty-reducing benefits of economic openness
and enhanced trade efficiency.

Supporting the WTO’s AfT initiative from the outset, the EU has become over time the leading provider of AfT
(31% of global AfT). The EU’s AfT strategy was revised in 2017 to follow a broader approach, in line with the
UN’s 2030 Agenda, considering the interlinkages that exist between investment and trade which need to be
fully exploited to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

EU AfT operates within our partner countries’ trade and economic policies as mainstreamed in their
development strategies. AfT builds on multilateral and bilateral trade agreements to scale up the
developmental impact of these various trade instruments combined.

16. How many official languages does the EU have?

24 languages.

17. How many MEPs are necessary to form a group in parliament?

25 Members are needed to form a political group, and at least one-quarter (25%) of the Member States must
be represented within the group (i.e. now 7). Members may not belong to more than one political group.

18. What is the European stability mechanism (ESM)? (x5)

2012. Lusssemburgo. Ne fanno parte I 19 Paesi dell’Eurozona. The ESM’s mission is to provide financial
assistance to euro area countries experiencing or threatened by severe financing problems. This assistance is
granted only if it is proven necessary to safeguard the financial stability of the euro area as a whole and of ESM
Members. The ESM can grant a loan as part of a macroeconomic adjustment programme, such as the one that
was already used by Cyprus and Greece. The only other instrument used was an ESM loan to recapitalise banks
which was provided to Spain.

19. What is Stability and Growth Pact (SGP)?

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. It sets limits on both MS 3% deficit ratios and
60% debt ratios.

20. What organisation supports individuals and businesses to claim their rights?
SOLVIT.

21. What is the US National Academy of Sciences (NAS)?

The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) is a United States nonprofit, private, non-governmental organisation.
NAS is part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. As a national academy, new
members of the organisation are elected annually by current members, one of the highest honours in the
scientific field. Members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation" on science, engineering, and medicine.

Unknown date/Other:

1. In the ECJ, a full court is composed by how many judges?

27 judges in the full Court (i.e. "Court of Justice) (1 per MS). 15 in the Grand Chamber (or smaller groups of 3 or
5 judges).
In General Court, 54 judges.

2. Who adopts the Horizon Europe Framework Programme for Research and Innovation?
The Council and European Parliament negotiate and subsequently adopt the programme.

3. Who negotiates the TTIP (Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership)?

The European Commission, mandated by the Council.

4. What is the role of the JRC? (x2)

To provide scientific advice to the Commission.

5. What was the first organisation for Latin American integration ?

The Pan American Union (1948).

6. What is NOT one of the 10 Junker priorities ?

[Depends on the options, but could for instance be a fairer fishery policy]
1 new boost for jobs, growth and investment
2. connected digital single market
3. resilient energy union with a forward-looking climate change policy
4. deeper and fairer internal market with a strengthened industrial base
5. deeper and fairer economic and monetary union (EMU)
6. reasonable and balanced free trade agreement with the United States
7. area of justice and fundamental rights based on mutual trust
8. Towards a new policy on migration
9. Europe as a stronger global actor
10.A union of democratic change.

10. What is NOT a supervisory responsibility of the Parliament? (The YES listed below)
[Depends on the options] [See Topics] Budget, Law Implementation, EC democracy, consultation for Auditors,
[trade agreements?]

11. What policy area is affected by the Bosman case 1995? (x2)
Freedom of movement.

12. Who awards the Sakharov prize (for Freedom of Thought)? (x5)
The European Parliament. First edition in 1988. First winner was Nelson Mandela.

13. What is the size of the InvestEU plan?

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/priorities/jobs-growth-and-investment/investment-plan-europe-juncker-
plan/whats-next-investeu-programme-2021-2027_en
InvestEU will run between 2021 and 2027 and it builds on the success of the Juncker Plan's European Fund for
Strategic Investments (EFSI) by providing an EU budget guarantee to support investment and access to finance
in the EU. InvestEU aims to trigger €650 billion in additional investment (the EU budget is €15,2 billion).

14. What was the size of Juncker Plan's European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI)?
The EFSI aims to mobilise €315 billion in additional investments. With EFSI support, the EIB (European
Investment Bank) Group is providing funding for economically viable projects, especially for projects with a
higher risk profile than usually taken on by the Bank. It will focus on sectors of key importance for the European
economy, including: Strategic infrastructure including digital, transport and energy Education, research,
development and innovation, Renewable energy and resource efficiency, Support for small and mid-sized
businesses.

15. How do you call the documents which tables data and a legislative proposal?
Staff working document (SWD).

16. What is the triple helix in research policy jargon? (x2)

The interaction of government, industry, university .

17. Where is the ESM (European Stability Mechanism) HQ located?

In Luxembourg.

1. How do you call a negotiating party that pretends to negotiate but in reality doesn't want to achieve a
compromise?
Negotiating in bad faith.

19. Votes needed to pass MFF (Multi-Annual Financial Framework) in the Council and the European
Parliament?
Article 312 of the TFEU: The Council, acting in accordance with a special legislative procedure, shall adopt a
regulation laying down the multi-annual financial framework. The Council shall act unanimously after
obtaining the consent of the European Parliament, which shall be given by an absolute majority of its
component members.
The Council, acting in accordance with a special legislative procedure, shall adopt a regulation laying down the
multiannual financial framework. The Council shall act unanimously after obtaining the consent of the
European Parliament, which shall be given by a majority of its component members.
The European Council may, unanimously, adopt a decision authorising the Council to act by a qualified
majority when adopting the regulation referred to in the first subparagraph.

20. Provisions where unanimity was required in the Council before the Treaty of Nice and not after?
27 provisions changed over from unanimity to qualified-majority. The most important are: 1.) Freedom of
movement; 2.) Judicial cooperation in civil matters; 3.) The conclusion of international agreements in the area
of trade in services and the commercial aspects of intellectual property; 4.) Industrial policy; 5.) Economic,
financial and technical cooperation with third countries; 6.) Approval of the regulations and general conditions
governing the performance of the duties of members of the European Parliament, with the exception of
matters relating to the fiscal regime; 7.) The statute of the political parties at European level; 8.) The approval
of the rules of procedure of the Court of Justice and the Court of First Instance.

22. When was the EIGE (Institute for Gender Equality) founded?
It was founded in 2006.Vilnius, Lituania

23. Who leads the Operation Atalanta (formally European Union Naval Force Somalia)?
It is led by the EU, NOT by NATO.

24. What is EU-LISA? 2011

It is the European Agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom,
security and justice. It continuously supports MS efforts through technology for a safer Europe; Schengen
Information System (SIS II), the Visa Information System (VIS) and EURODAC. Specifically, it helps to maintain
internal security in the Schengen countries, to enable Schengen countries to exchange visa data, and to
determine which EU country is responsible for examining a particular asylum application.
25. What is the ERC? (x2)
The European Research Council supports frontier research, cross disciplinary proposals and pioneering ideas in
new and emerging fields which introduce unconventional and innovative approaches. The ERC's mission is to
encourage the highest quality research in Europe through competitive funding and to support investigator-
driven frontier research across all fields of research, on the basis of scientific excellence. A budget of 13’095
million euro is available for the implementation of the ERC funding schemes under Horizon 2020.

26. Which institutions are listed in Article 13 TEU? (i 7 dell’Ave Maria)

The Union's institutions shall be: 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.

27. How much of the Horizon 2020 budget is dedicated for climate change? (x2)
It is estimated that overall climate-related expenditure should exceed 35% of the total Horizon 2020 budget.
Horizon 2020 is the EU's biggest ever research and innovation framework programme with a budget of €77
billion over seven years (2014-2020). While most research and innovation activities are still underway or yet to
start, the programme is delivering.

28. Which one is a target set by the Energy Efficiency target?

20% energy efficiency by 2020.

29. In which cases does the principle of Subsidiarity apply?

Under the principle of subsidiarity, in areas which do not fall within its exclusive competence, the Union shall
act only if and in so far as the objectives of the proposed action cannot be sufficiently achieved by the MS, but
can be better achieved at Union level.

30. When were the First direct elections of the EP? (x2)
1979 (after the introduction of the European Elections Act in 1976).

31. How do we call the proposal made by the Commission in a specific area?
White paper. It contains proposals for European Union (EU) action in a specific area. In some cases, they follow
on from a Green Paper published to launch a consultation process at EU level. The purpose of a White Paper is
to launch a debate with the public, stakeholders, the European Parliament and the Council in order to arrive at
a political consensus.

32. Which crisis did the Luxembourg compromise resolve in 1966? (x4)
The Empty chair crisis.

33. What constitutes a conflict of interest according to the financial regulation? (x2)
A conflict of interests exists where the impartial and objective exercise of the functions of a financial actor or
other person is compromised for reasons involving family, emotional life, political or national affinity, economic
interest or any other shared interest with a recipient.

34. Which of the following options is not an official declaration or statement?

[Depends, but could be a statement by a local EU delegation, not approved by the Head of Delegation]

35. How does the EU negotiate trade agreements under the Aid for Trade scheme? (x3)
Bilaterally.

36. Which one is not an associate country of Horizon 2020?

[Depends, but could be Croatia (confirmed in one CAST exam)]

37. How do we call that political guidance when you set the agenda and create the necessary environment of
policy change? (x2)
Leadership.
1. How many advocates general does a judge in the ECJ have?
- 11 advocate generals ;
- 1 judge per MS in CJ (i.e. High Court) ;
- More than 80% of cases brought before the general court are heard by a chamber of 3 judges ;
- Full Court (all 27) very rare and cases foreseen by Treaties ;
- Grand Chamber (in High Court) has 15 judges .

3 Which does not relate to the creation of the Banking Union?

European Exchange Rate mechanism (ERM) was introduced in 1979 to stabilise exchange rates, NOT part of
BU.
BU: European Deposit Insurance Scheme, Single Supervisory Mechanism, and Single Resolution Mechanism are
a part.

4 Length of infringementprocedure?
[40 months maybe wrong. I have found
18 on average]

4 Where does the consultation procedure not apply?

This procedure is applicable in a limited number of policy areas, such as internal market exemptions and
competition law, as well as financial matters and aspects of intellectual property and administrative issues. It is
also used for the adoption of instruments such as recommendations and opinions issued by the Council and
the Commission.
Not used for agriculture.

4 In how many member states is German a national language, either at national or sub-national level?
Eight: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Liechtenstein at national ; Poland and Italy
at sub-national.

4 How many vice presidents in the Juncker Commission?

Seven, of which Frans Timmermans is the first.

4 Following the Lisbon Treaty, what mechanism do national parliaments have to express their common
concerns regarding a legislative process?
According to protocol 2 of Lisbon Treaty, Yellow card and Orange card. Orange card has never been
triggered. Yellow card has been triggered 3 times: 2012, 2013, 2016.
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 EU Parliament and Council
as to why the proposal complies with the principle of subsidiarity. This is known as the 'orange card'
procedure.

4 What is EC regulation no.261/2004? (Puto Brussels Airlines)

The Flight Compensation Regulation 261/2004 is a regulation in EU law establishing common rules on
compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding, flight cancellations, or long delays
of flights.

4 Which institutions took over the Schengen Executive Committee?

General Secretariat of the Council took over in 1999, as set out in the Treaty of Amsterdam.
4 Registration into the transparency register?
It is optional for lobbying organisations since June 2008.

4 Which countries are in European Single market?

NOT Turkey, which is part of the customs union.
Norway, Lichtenstein, Iceland, Switzerland and United Kingdom ARE.

4 When was the ECB (European Central Bank) established?

- 1998, in preparation for euro introduction in 1999;
- 34 members sit on the ECB’s Supervisory board;
- 27 national representatives, 4 ECB representatives, and chair and vice-chair;
- Christine Lagarde is now President, for a 7 year term.

5 What are the ECB tasks?

- Set inflation targets;
- Issue Euro banknotes and coins;
- Supervise and make inquiries into relevant bank’s solvency;
- Managing foreign exchange operations;
- Advisory role;
- NOT: to issue Euro bonds. MS national banks still issue their own bonds.

5 What are the council configurations?

The Council of the EU is a single legal entity, but it meets in 10 different 'configurations', depending on the subject
being discussed:
1. Agriculture and fisheries
2. Competitiveness
3. Economic and financial affairs
4. Education, youth, culture and sport
5. Employment, social policy, health and consumer affairs
6. Environment
7. Foreign affairs
8. General affairs
9. Justice and home affairs
10. Transport, telecommunications and energy

- Note: any of the 10 council configurations can adopt an act that falls outside the remit of another
configuration. Therefore, with any legislative Act the Council adopts, no mention is made of the
configuration.
- There is no hierarchy among the Council configurations, although the General Affairs Council has a
special coordination role and is responsible for institutional, administrative and horizontal matters

5 Which countries voted against Lisbon Treaty?

Ireland [see “Irish Guarantee”].

Which countries voted against the Constitution for Europe in 2005?

Netherlands and France.

5 What is the Academy of European Law (ERA)?

A non-profit public foundation partly funded by EU, set up in 1991 to train professional in EU law.

5 What is open in the Council for public viewers?

Legislative deliberations and Public debates.
5 What is the SIGMA programme?
A Joint EU OECD (“Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development”) programme, created in
1992. Key objectives are to strengthen public governance and the implementation of EU legislation. It
also works in ENP (European Neighbourhood Policy) countries, plus Albania.

5 What is Twinning?
Twinning is a European Union instrument for institutional cooperation between Public Administrations of EU
Member States (MS) and of beneficiary countries (BC). It was originally designed in 1998 to help candidate
countries of the time to acquire the necessary skills and experience to adopt, implement and enforce EU
legislation.

5 What is TAIEX?
Technical Assistance and Information Exchange instrument of the European Commission. TAIEX
supports public administrations with regard to the approximation, application and enforcement of EU
legislation as well as facilitating the sharing of EU best practices.

5 What is the European Market Infrastructure Regulation?

Created in response to 2008 crisis. It increased regulation surrounding over-the-counter derivatives
backed by central counter-parties (CCPs). It made the derivatives market more stable.
The European market infrastructure regulation (EMIR) lays down rules on OTC derivatives, central
counterparties and trade repositories.

5 If EU nationals feel their rights are not respected by MS authorities, who do they go to?
- Solvit, Your Europe Advice, or FIN-NET, which all operate on national levels.
- European Ombudsman, which operates on Commission level (if citizens feel the commission has failed
to address them)

5 Police and judicial cooperation on criminal matters agencies:

- - FRONTEX 2004
- - EUROPOL 1999
- EUROJUST 2002
- OLAF 1999
- EPPO 2017
- NOT CEPOL (European police college), which is just for training law enforcement officials.

6 Common Approach to Impact Assessment?

EC, EP and Council agreed on it in 2006.
https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/law-making-process/planning-and-proposing-law/impact-assessments_en

6 When was the European Social Dialogue agreed on?

Single European Act in 1986.
Under Article 151 TFEU, the promotion of dialogue between management and labour is recognised as a
common objective of the EU and the Member States. The aim of social dialogue is to improve European
governance through the involvement of the social partners in decision-making and implementation.
In 1986, the Single European Act (Article 118b) created a legal basis for the development of ‘Community-wide
social dialogue’ and European social dialogue began to take shape, firstly with the establishment of a steering
committee, which in 1992 became the Social Dialogue Committee (SDC) — the main forum for bipartite social
dialogue at European level. The SDC meets three to four times a year.

6 How many seats is every MS guaranteed, regardless of size, in the EP?

- 6 seats (as Cyprus, Luxembourg, and Malta all have);
- 705 is total number of EP seats;
- Max per country is 96.

6 What is the CJEU (Court of Justice of the European Union)?

The CJEU is comprised of two courts: the European Court of Justice (ECJ) and the General Court. Located in
Luxembourg.

6 When was the principle of mutual recognition established?

Cassis de Dijon case, 1979 landmark case of the Court of Justice, which established that products which
are legal in one Member State are legal throughout the whole Union.
The mutual recognition principle ensures market access for goods that are not, or are only partly subject to EU
harmonisation legislation. It guarantees that any good lawfully sold in one EU country can be sold in another.

6 Special legislative procedure and ordinary legislative procedure?

- Ordinary legislative procedure: Parliament and Council have equal voting powers (eg. Used for The
budget, Transportation, and worker’s rights). Before the Treaty of Lisbon came into force late
2009 it was referred to as the co-decision procedure. The essential characteristic of this procedure
is that both the Council of Ministers as well as the European Parliament have a deciding vote in
the legislative process, and both institutions may amend a proposal.

- Special legislative procedure (used also for VAT legislation):

Legal base: Article 289(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European

Union. Types of procedures:

Consent: the European Parliament has the power to accept or reject a legislative proposal by an
absolute majority vote, but cannot amend it (used for eg. withdrawal or acceptance of a new MS, or
negotiation of new international agreements);
Consultation: the European Parliament may approve, reject or propose amendments to a legislative
proposal (e.g. for internal market exemptions and competition law).

6 Article 23 of TFEU?
EU nationals enjoy same rights and legal status across all MS’s.

6 Passerelle clause?
Article 48(7) of TEU, which allows the Council to change its voting procedure from unanimity to
qualified majority voting on specific policy areas (excluding military affairs). Introduced with Lisbon.

6 Regarding the Budget? (x2)

1. The commission tells the council and parliament how it was spent;
2. The European Court of auditors scrutinises the spending;
- It is decided democratically.
- NOT: The Regulatory Scrutiny Board scrutinises it. (The RSB scrutinises impact assessments
of legislation. It acts independently of any institution, agency, or body. It replaced the
Impact Assessment Board. Its opinions are non-binding. It is chaired by a DG).
- Impact assessments are regularly applied to: regulatory proposals, policy reform proposals,
and white papers, expenditure programs)

6 INEA
Innovations and Networks Executive Agency, which was set up in 2014 to replace ‘TEN-T EA’. It
manages projects such as Motorways of the Seas.

7 European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF)’s role within CAP (Common Agricultural Policy)

- EAGF is a funding mechanism that finances farmers directly via interventions and export refunds.
- Difference with EAFRD (European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development): it does not fund MS,
rather farmers directly.

7 Green direct payment in CAP?

2013 reforms of the CAP introduced green direct payments, implemented in 2015. Paid to farmers for
 undertaking practices beneficial to climate and the environment. MS must allocate 30% of their ‘Direct
payment’ to green direct payments.

The “green direct payment” (or “greening”) supports farmers who adopt or maintain farming practices that
help meet environmental and climate goals. Through greening, the European Union (EU) rewards farmers for
preserving natural resources and providing public goods, which are benefits to the public that are not reflected
in market prices. EU countries have to allocate 30% of their income support to "greening".

7 What is a Treaty language?

- TEU Article 3 enshrines the principle of linguistic diversity;
- Treaty languages are NOT working languages - 24 languages
- Secondary legislation (i.e. directives and regulations) does NOT have to be translated into treaty
languages.

7 Who advises Council, MS, and Commission on research and innovation issues?
- ERAC (European Research Area Innovation Committee)

- European Research Area (ERA) The European Research Area (ERA) is the ambition to create a
single, borderless market for research, innovation and technology across the EU. It helps
countries be more effective together, by strongly aligning their research policies and
programmes. The free circulation of researchers and knowledge enables: better cross-border
cooperation; building of critical mass; continent-wide competition. ERA was launched in 2000
and a process to revitalise it began in 2018.

7 What was the Schuman Declaration? (x2)

- On 9 May 1950, Robert Schuman called for a common high authority for coal and steel.
- Led to the signing of Treaty of Paris and creation of European Coal and Steel Community in 1951.

7 Sources of EU budget?
1) Duties and levies
2) Value added tax (VAT)
3) National contributions

Rebates are not a type of own resources (it’s a corrective measure).

7 Presidents of European Parliament in the past?

- [See this overview]

7 Which countries are in accession talks with EU?

- 5 countries: Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey
- Iceland quit, so not a beneficiary of IPA funds.

7 EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF)

The European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) was set up to respond to major natural disasters and express
European solidarity to disaster-stricken regions within Europe. The Fund was created as a reaction to the
severe floods in Central Europe in the summer of 2002. Since then, it has been used for 80 disasters covering a
range of different catastrophic events including floods, forest fires, earthquakes, storms and drought. 24
different European countries have been supported so far for an amount of over 5 billion €. Maximum is 500
million.

80. EP has 14 Vice-Presidents

June-July 2020 (III & IV)

 · AID FOR TRADE is part of? (x2)
· WTO.

· Year of Independence South Sudan?

· 2011.

· Rights to EP after Lisbon? (x2)

· Elect head of the Commission;
· Right to approve/reject international agreements;
· Co-decides on the full budget;

· New legislative powers (The Lisbon Treaty extended Parliament's legislative powers to more than 40 new
fields and made it a lawmaker at the same level as the Council Previous areas of codecisio)

· Citizens initiative (after: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/about-parliament/en/powers-and-

procedures/the-lisbon-treaty)

· Economic governance of the EU? (European Semester)

Monitoring, Prevention, Correction. A framework for the coordination of economic policies across the
European Union.

The European Union’s economic governance framework aims to monitor, prevent, and correct problematic
economic trends that could weaken national economies or negatively affect other EU countries.

Within the economic monitoring the Annual Growth Survey. Published towards the end of each year, the
Annual Growth Survey analyses the progress that the EU has made towards its long-term, strategic priorities,
and provides an in-depth assessment of employment and macroeconomic trends. In this way, the Annual
Growth Survey sets the priorities of the EU for the year to come.

· What is the G20

- An assembly of 20 industrialized countries, while EU and other international organisations have a

permanent guest status

- An association created in order to deal with the Bretton Woods agreement – False

- Was created in order to deal with the 2008 crisis – False

The G20 members are: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, India, Indonesia,
Italy, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States,
and the European Union. Spain is also invited as a permanent guest.

In 1999, in the wake of the 1997 economic crisis, the G7 Finance Ministers announced the creation of the
"Group of 20", aimed at including other countries in their discussions related to global economics and finance.
The first official meeting of the G20 was held in Berlin in December that same year.

Founders: G7 countries

 G7 (originally G8) it was set up in 1975

Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States.

The European Union is a unique supranational organisation – not a sovereign Member State – hence the name
G7 “Group of Seven”. The EU is therefore a ‘non-enumerated’ member and does not assume the rotating G7
presidency.

In 1977, representatives of the then European Community began participating in the London summit. The role
has expanded over time, with the EU gradually included in all political discussions on the summit agenda and,
from the Ottawa summit (1981) onwards, has taken part in all working sessions.

 What is COSME
COSME is the EU programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
running from 2014 - 2020 with a planned budget of EUR 2.3 billion

 HR
https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/3598/high-representativevice-president_en
presides over the Foreign Affairs Council
https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/31133/background-highrepresentative_en.pdf

· What is true about the Bretton Woods system (1944)?

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.

Setting up a system of rules, institutions, and procedures to regulate the international monetary system, these
accords established the IMF and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), which
today is part of the World Bank Group.

In pratica il sistema progettato a Bretton Woods era un gold exchange standard, basato su rapporti di cambio
fissi tra le valute, tutte agganciate al dollaro, il quale a sua volta era agganciato all'oro. Gli accordi di Bretton
Woods favorirono un sistema liberista, il quale richiede, innanzitutto, un mercato con il minimo delle barriere.
A differenza del sistema che lo precedette (Gold Standard), la mobilità dei capitali fu limitata, poiché si era
consci dell'enorme peso che essa ebbe nel determinare la crisi del '29. Quindi, anche se vi furono delle
divergenze sulla sua implementazione, fu chiaramente un accordo per un sistema aperto.
Tutti gli accordi derivati direttamente o indirettamente da Bretton Woods non prevedevano un corretto
controllo della quantità di dollari emessi, permettendo così agli USA l'emissione incontrollata di moneta, fatto
contestato più volte da Francia e Germania in quanto gli USA esportavano la loro inflazione, impoverendo così
il resto del mondo.

Nel dicembre del 1971, il gruppo dei Dieci firmò lo Smithsonian Agreement, che mise fine agli accordi di
Bretton Woods, svalutando il dollaro e dando inizio alla fluttuazione dei cambi. Nel febbraio del 1973 ogni
legame tra dollaro e monete estere venne definitivamente reciso e lo standard aureo fu quindi sostituito dal
sistema di cambi flessibili.

· How national parliaments enforce subsidiarity?

· Yellow card procedure: When Commission proposes legislation, if ⅓ of national parliaments “votes” (2
per parliament) submit reasoned opinion stating it violates subsidiarity, the Commission must reconsider
proposal.
· Orange card procedure: if reasoned opinion represents majority of “parliament” votes, the Commission
must review and decide whether to maintain, change or withdraw it.

· Role of EESC (European Economic and Social Committee)? (x6)

· Advisory body representing employers and workers, organisations and other interest groups.
President: Luca Jahier. Members: 329 from all EU countries. Established in: 1958.

· How EP votes on Commission?

· Parliament needs to approve the new Commission President by an absolute majority (half of the existing
MEPs plus one). If the candidate doesn’t obtain the required majority, the member states need to propose
another candidate within a month's time (European Council acting by qualified majority).

· Truman doctrine (1947) (x2)

· The principle that the US should give support to countries or peoples threatened by Soviet forces or
Communist insurrection. First expressed in 1947 by US President Truman in a speech to Congress seeking
aid for Greece and Turkey, the doctrine was seen by the Communists as an open declaration of the Cold
War.

· What is the Durand Line? (x3)

· The Durand Line is the 2,640 km border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

· How many judges are in General Court and Specialised Courts? (x2)
· The General Court is made up of two judges from each MS (54 total).
The ‘European Union Civil Service Tribunal’ has seven.

· Which treaty gave EU legal personality? (x2)

The Treaty on European Union (TEU). Added in the Lisbon Treaty.

LEGAL PERSONALITY OF THE UNION

Article 47 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) explicitly recognises the legal personality of the
European Union, making it an independent entity in its own right.

The conferral of legal personality on the EU means that it has the ability to:

conclude and negotiate international agreements in accordance with its external commitments;

become a member of international organisations;

join international conventions, such as the European Convention on Human Rights , stipulated in Article
6(2) of the TEU.

 Art 20 TFEU? Citizenship of the European Union, Voting rights, freedom of residence.

· Members of MERCOSUR (South American Trade Block)? (x4)

· Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay; + Venezuela but suspended since 2016.

· The Treaties on nuclear power? (x5)

· Tlatelolco, Rarotonga, Bangkok, Pelindaba treaties (nuclear-free zones).

· How many MS participated when EUR coins and notes were introduced? (x3)
12
· Purpose of Stability and Growth Pact? (x3)
Set of rules designed to ensure that countries in the eurozone pursue sound public finances and coordinate
their fiscal policies (i.e. Fiscal Moderation).

· Juncker Plan components/pillars (also called Investment Plan for Europe)

1. The European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), which provides an EU guarantee to
mobilise private investment. The Commission works together with its strategic partner, the European
Investment Bank (EIB) Group.
2. The European Investment Advisory Hub and the European Investment Project Portal which
provide technical assistance and greater visibility of investment opportunities, thereby helping proposed
investment projects become a reality. The Hub is a joint venture with the EIB Group.
3. Improving the business environment by removing regulatory barriers to investment both
nationally and at EU level. 

· Which treaty introduced the Principle of Subsidiarity? (x2)

The Treaty on European Union/Treaty of Maastricht.

· Who and how can start infringement procedure? How are penalties given? (x2)
The Commission may take legal action – an infringement procedure – against an EU country that fails to
implement EU law. The Commission may refer the issue to the Court of Justice, which in certain cases, can
impose financial penalties.

· EU monetary policy – which statement is false/correct? (x3)

After a period as a 'book only' currency, Euro coins/banknotes were introduced on 1 Jan 2002 in 11
countries in the biggest currency change in history.

· UN Convention on Law of the Seas (UNCLOS)? (x4)

Signed 10 December 1982, Jamaica.
It defines the rights and responsibilities of nations with respect to their use of the world's oceans,
establishing guidelines for businesses, the environment, and the management of marine natural resources.

· What was concluded at Barcelona Council 2002? (x3)

· Limit gender unbalance in pay to 5% ;
·Limit gender employment unbalance to 10% ;
·Provide child care to 50% children below 3 years ;
·Provide child care to 90% children from 3 years until end of obligatory school

· Since Cotonou, which type of agreements EU has with ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of
States) countries? (x3)
Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA).

· Number of Cotonou members/signatories:

79 total (16 Caribbean; 48 African; 15 pacific).
 · What are the EU climate goals, based on Paris Agreement targets: (x4)
Keep global temperature rise below 2C, ideally 1.5C, and reduce emissions by 50% from 1990 levels by
2030, "net-zero" by 2050.

· What does ESPAS stand for?

· European Strategy and Policy Analysis System.

· NATO founding members?

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

· Number of EU MS in NATO?
· EU and NATO have 27 and 30 member states, respectively — of which 21 are members of both. Another
four NATO members are EU applicants — Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Turkey.

· CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) budget?

· 2018 budget: € 58.8 billion (41.7 billion for income support; 14.4 billion for rural development; 2.7 billion
market measures — around 38,5% of EU budget). Total 2014-2020 budget : € 408 billion.
EAGF = 41.7 + 2.7 ; EAFRD = 14.4

· Who has not been a President of the EP in the following list:

· (Cox, Delors, Crespo and Veil). The correct is Delors. List can also included an Enrico something who had
not been President of EP.

· Institutions of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU)?

· ECB (European Central Bank), ESCB (European System of Central Banks), Economic and Financial
Committee (advisory body), EuroGroup, and ECOFIN (Economic and Financial Affairs Council).

· Which organisation was created to ensure follow-up of the Barcelona process?

· The Euro-Mediterranean Committee for the Barcelona Process.

· Accession criteria:
· The Treaty on European Union sets out the conditions (Article 49) and principles (Article 6(1)) to which
any country wishing to become an EU member must conform.
Certain criteria must be met for admission. These criteria (known as the Copenhagen criteria) were
established by the Copenhagen European Council in 1993 and strengthened by the Madrid European
Council in 1995.
1. stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and
protection of minorities;
2. a functioning market economy and the ability to cope with competitive pressure and market forces
within the EU;
3. 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.

For EU accession negotiations to be launched, a country must satisfy the first criterion

· What does Art 3 TEU cover? (x3)

Objectives:
 1. The Union's aim is to promote peace, its values and the well-being of its peoples ;
2. The Union shall offer its citizens an area of freedom, security and justice without internal frontiers, in
which the free movement of persons is ensured ;
3. The Union shall establish an internal market ;
4. The Union shall establish an economic and monetary union whose currency is the euro ;
5. In its relations with the wider world, the Union shall uphold and promote its values and interests and
contribute to the protection of its citizens. It shall contribute to peace, security, the sustainable
development of the Earth, solidarity and mutual respect among peoples, free and fair trade, eradication of
poverty and the protection of human rights, in particular the rights of the child, as well as to the strict
observance and the development of international law, including respect for the principles of the United
Nations Charter ;
6. The Union shall pursue its objectives by appropriate means commensurate with the competences which
are conferred upon it in the Treaties .

Schuman Declaration - 1950 May 9

· Spinelli Plan?
· Spinelli was the leading figure behind the European Parliament’s proposal for a Treaty on a federal
European Union - the so-called ‘Spinelli Plan’. This was adopted in 1984 by an overwhelming majority in
the Parliament and provided an important inspiration for the strengthening of the EU Treaties in the 1980s
and ‘90s.

· Founding members of EFTA (European Free Trade Association) (x4)

· Austria, Denmark, Portugal, Sweden, UK, Norway, Switzerland. Only the last two remain from the
founding ones.
Now with Iceland and Liechtenstein.
· Tricky question with ‘who was not a founding member’ (Lichjkeriuytiustein).

· Which agency received funding increase after 2015?

· [Options were Frontex, EASO and two other ones]

· What are Spratly Island and Paracel Islands? (x3)

· Two islands located in the South China Sea.
SPRATLY: Ongoing territorial dispute between China, Taiwan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and
Brunei.
PARACEL: Ongoing territorial dispute between China, Taiwan and Vietnam.

· Montreal Protocol? 1987

The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer.

· Decision making process in the Council - difference between ‘A’ and ‘B’ items?
- 'A' item on the Council agenda, meaning that agreement is expected without debate. As a rule, around
two-thirds of the items on a Council agenda will be for adoption as 'A' items. Discussion on these
items can nevertheless be re-opened if one or more member states so request.
- 'B' section of the Council agenda includes points: left over from previous Council meetings; upon which
no agreement was reached in Coreper (Committee of Permanent Representatives) or at working
party level; that are too politically sensitive to be settled at a lower level.
 · Civil protection mechanism - participating states: (x3)
Since 2001, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated more than 420 times to respond
toemergencies.
By pooling together civil protection capacities and capabilities, it allows for a stronger and more coherent
collective response. In addition to the EU Member States, there are currently 6 Participating States to the
Mechanism (Iceland, Norway, Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Turkey).

· OECD members and EU members:

· OECD 37; EU 27; Both: 21 states.
EU is not itself member at OECD (even if the Commission takes part into its works and has a permanent
delegation to OECD).

Like all the member countries, the EU maintains a Permanent Delegation to the OECD, composed of an
ambassador and diplomats. The ambassador, in consultation with his peers, helps formulate the
programme of work. The other members of the Delegation monitor sit on the OECD’s various specialised
committees which monitor the work of the Secretariat in accordance with the Programme of Work.

The EU does not, on the other hand, contribute to the budget of the Organisation, and its representative is
not entitled to vote when legal acts are being adopted by the Council, the decision-making body of the
OECD. He may, however, be elected as a member of the bureau of subsidiary bodies, and participates fully
in the preparation of texts, including legal acts, with an unrestricted right to make proposals and suggest
changes.

● Horizon 2020: how contracts are awarded?

[I think it’s the “excellence, impact, implementation” thinghy]

● 2018 EuroBarometer: in which field EU public want to have more harmonisation? (x4)
● Wages [the other options were taxation, animal welfare and privacy].

○ 2018 special EuroBarometer, regarding climate change, what percentage of Europeans agree climate
change due to human activity? (x3)
○ It’s 93%.

○ Ranking of EU trading partner in 2019? [remove Uk for 2018] (x2)

https://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2006/september/tradoc_122530.pdf
1) US ; 2) China ; 3) UK ; 4) Switzerland ; 5) Russia ; 6) Turkey ; 7) Japan

○ What is the role of the European Parliament with International fisheries agreements? (x4)
○ The EP has to give its consent

○ Article 2 TFEU?
EU competence.

• What is not an EU citizen’s right?

From Chapter 5 of the Eu Charter of Fundamental Rights:
• right to vote and to stand as a candidate at elections to the European Parliament ;
• right to vote and to stand as a candidate at municipal elections ;
• right to good administration ;
• right of access to documents ;
 • European Ombudsman ;
• right to petition ;
• freedom of movement and of residence ;
• diplomatic and consular protection .

○ Institutional triangle?
EP, Council, Commission.

○ How the Charter of Fundamental Rights is applied?

The institutions and bodies of the EU ;
National authorities only when they are implementing EU law .

○ Agriculture funding lines in 2018 by programme?

○ Which Latin American Country does not have a trade agreement with EU? (x3)
[Brazil]

○ Which one was the earliest: GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council), ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian
Nations), MERCOSUR (Southern Common Market) or OAU (Organisation of African Unity)?
GCC: 1981 ; ASEAN: 1967 ; MERCOSUR: 1991 ; OAU: 1963

a. How many EU citizen in January 2019?

513.5 million
On 1 January 2020, the population of the European Union (EU) with 27 Member States was
estimated at 447.7 million, down by 12.8% as compared with 513.5 million in 28 Member States
on 1 January 2019

a. How many EU citizens lived or worked in the EU in a country different from their own country in March
2019?
3% 17,6 milioni

a. Composition of agricultural sector in March 2019?

• The Special Incentive Arrangement for sustainable development and good governance?
It slashes these same tariffs to 0% for vulnerable low and lower-middle income countries that implement
27 international conventions related to human rights, labour rights, protection of the environment and
good governance.

b. Order of EU members entrance in the Union (EU Integration): (x2)

● 1951/57: Italy, France, (West) Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg
● 1973: UK, Ireland, Denmark
● 1981: Greece
● 1986: Spain, Portugal
● 1990: East Germany – German Unification
● 1995: Austria, Finland, Sweden
● 2004: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Slovenia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia,
Malta
● 2007: Bulgaria, Romania
● 2013: Croatia
 a. Conditions to participate in PESCO (Permanent Structured Cooperation)? (x3)
Member States whose military capabilities fulfil higher criteria, and which have made more binding
commitments to one another in this area (anyway voluntary basis).

b. EU fight to illegal fishery within Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU). (x2)
The EU Regulation to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU)
entered into force on 1 January 2010. The Commission is working actively with all stakeholders to
ensure coherent application of the IUU Regulation.

c. When did the Cotonou Agreement come into force (replacing the Lomé Convention)?
● Signed 2000, into force 2003, expired 2020.

- What is the only duty (out of the 4 listed) that the Court of Auditors (ECA) doesn’t perform? (x6)
Court of Auditors competences:
- Improve the financial management of the EU (yes);
- Enforce principles of transparency and compliance within the institution (yes);
- Monitoring of EU public funds (their counting and spending) (yes);
- It is also a counsellor in decision making to ensure money is well-spent and European citizens are
made aware of that (publishes its conclusions publicly) (yes).

- Election of the President of the Commission? (x4)

European Council designates a candidates by qualified majority.
EP validates the prospective candidate by absolute majority.
President presents team to Parliament. After parliament agrees, Council votes with qualified majority.

- How many MEPs to form a party/group in parliament? (x2)

25 MEP representing at least one-quarter (25%, 7 MS) of the MS.
Members may not belong to more than one political group.

- Voting procedure for the adoption of the MFF?

Article 312 of the TFEU: Special legislative procedure.
The Council shall act unanimously after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament, which shall be
given by a majority of its component members.
MFF determines annual spending amounts for the different action fields of the EU. Covers a 7 years period.

- What is ENISA? (x3)

The European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) [original name: European Network and Information
Security Agency] has been working to make Europe cyber secure since 2004. The Agency is located in
Athens, and has a second office in Heraklio

ADDED FROM FB:

Composition (and other things) of G20? (x4) 1999

Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy,
Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States. Spain is
a permanent guest invitee.
Founding members (G7): 1975 Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK, US .

Number of farms/farmers/income in the EU (CAP)? (x7)

10.5 million farms in 2016. 22 million farmers.
Farmers’ income is around 40% lower.

Number of judges on European Court of Justice, General Court and specialised tribunals (note: the latter don't
exist at the moment)? (x2)

Monroe Doctrine? (x4)

The Monroe Doctrine was a United States policy that opposed European colonialism in the Americas.

Which countries are G5 Sahel? (x3) 2014 G5 Sahel or G5S (French: G5 du Sahel) is an institutional framework
for coordination of regional cooperation in development policies and security matters in west Africa.
Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger.

ECB board composition? (x4)

The Executive Board consists of the President; the Vice-President and four other members

Numbers of subsaharan Cotonou members?

The Cotonou Agreement is the backbone of the partnership between the EU, EU countries and 79 African,
Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP). It aims to reduce poverty towards its eradication, to support the
sustainable economic, cultural and social development of the partner countries and to help the progressive
integration of their respective economies into the world economy.

The application of the Cotonou Agreement has been extended to December 2020. The agreement was initially
due to expire in February 2020, but, as negotiations on the future agreement are still under way, this was
delayed to the end of the year.
48.

Role of ESM?
Helping countries in the Eurozone.

Procedure that national parliaments use to enforce subsidiarity? (x6)

Orange/Yellow card stuff.

Declaration that EU signed on Arab-Israeli conflict? (x4)

Basic stuff on Bretton Woods - make sure to review date of conference, institutions it created, and how it
ended. (x3)

Climate targets (e.g. emissions reductions and temperature goals)? (x3)

EU agencies and where they are headquartered?

Who was NOT a President of the EP (Cox, Delors, Crespo and Veil)?
Delors, I checked it.
 - Are the EU and all its MS also OECD Members?
Only some MS are in OCED and the EU is not, even though the EC takes part into its works and has
a permanent delegation to OCED. https://www.oecd.org/eu/european-union-and-oecd.htm

What role does the Delegation play?

Like all the member countries, the EU maintains a Permanent Delegation to the OECD, composed of an
ambassador and diplomats. The ambassador, in consultation with his peers, helps formulate the programme of
work. The other members of the Delegation monitor sit on the OECD’s various specialised committees which
monitor the work of the Secretariat in accordance with the Programme of Work.

- Art 20 TFEU? (read whole text for trick questions) (x4)

- Number of EU MS in NATO?
21.

- Number of EU MS in Eurozone? (x3)

19 out of 27.

- Juncker Plan components?

[see Investment Plan for Europe]

- Citizen's Initiative?
The EP can hold hearings for initiatives that have collected the required signatures.
Requirements: 1 year for 1 million signatures in at least 7 Member States, following a country-specific
quota system.

- Common Commercial Policy (art 207)

It is the policy whereby EU member states delegate authority to the European Commission to negotiate
their external trade relations.

- Milestones in EU integration?

- Ordinary Legislative Procedure?

- Who made the Iron Curtain speech? (x2)

Churchill in 1946.

- Fiscal rules for MS?

3% deficit, 60% debt.

- Access Criteria to the EU (Copenhagen, etc)?

- Moon agreement (from UN Office Outer Space Affairs - UNOOSA)?

States Parties shall not place in orbit around or other trajectory to or around the moon objects carrying
nuclear weapons or any other kinds of weapons of mass destruction or place or use such weapons on
or in the moon. Adopted in 1979, into force in 1984
The Moon Agreement was considered and elaborated by the Legal Subcommittee from 1972 to 1979. The
Agreement was adopted by the General Assembly in 1979 in resolution 34/68. It was not until June
1984, however, that the fifth country, Austria, ratified the Agreement, allowing it to enter into force in
 July 1984. The Agreement reaffirms and elaborates on many of the provisions of the Outer Space
Treaty as applied to the Moon and other celestial bodies, providing that those bodies should be used
exclusively for peaceful purposes, that their environments should not be disrupted, that the United
Nations should be informed of the location and purpose of any station established on those bodies. In
addition, the Agreement provides that the Moon and its natural resources are the common heritage of
mankind and that an international regime should be established to govern the exploitation of such
resources when such exploitation is about to become feasible.

- Asian Cooperation Network/Dialogue (ACD) (2002)? 2002 with 18 countries now 35. dialogue and
projects

- Whose name is connected to CAP historically ? And who was the pioneer? (x2)
Mansholt. Spaak.

- Minamata Treaty? (x3)

Regulates mercury. The Minamata Convention on Mercury is a global treaty to protect human
health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury. It was agreed at the fifth session
of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on mercury in Geneva, Switzerland at 7 a.m. on
the morning of Saturday, 19 January 2013 and adopted later that year on 10 October 2013 at a
Diplomatic Conference (Conference of Plenipotentiaries), held in Kumamoto, Japan.
The Minamata Convention entered into force on 16 August 2017, on the 90th day after the date of
deposit of the 50th instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.

- EU international agreements, EP has to give consent in all cases, or Council can decide without EP
consent in special cases? (x3)

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:12008E218:en:HTML

Common Commercial Policy

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)? (x2)

HQ (Beijing) and start of Operations (2016).

- When did Cotonou replace Lomé?

Came into force in 2003 (signed in 2000).

- Who adopts country-specific recommendations in the European Semester (and other things)? (x4)
The Council.
The Commission only suggests them.

- What is the Annual Growth Survey?

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. The Commission gives Member States focused
policy guidance to strengthen the recovery and foster convergence in line with the EU's long-term
growth strategy Europe 2020.

- When was the term “United Nations” coined?

1942 by Roosevelt.
 - Which regional organisation was founded in second half of 20th century (MERCOSUR 1991, ASEAN
1967, Gulf cooperation council 1981, Organisation of African Unity 1963)?
I think both of the first two are right, so I‘m confused.

- Which court accepts claims from individuals?

- CJ of the EU [wrong, the General Court can] ;
- International Court of Justice [wrong, only States] ;
- European Court for Human Rights [correct, they’re the majority] ;
- Inter-American Court of Justice [probably wrong] .

- 3. Sequence of enlargement [full sequence in the four options, in three of them a little detail was
wrong (e.g. one of the years)]?

- Arctic Council: what's its purpose, how many members, role of EU? (x5)
8 member, 38 observer states.
The Arctic Council is the main international forum that is directly concerned with the Arctic's sustainable
development and environmental protection. Founded in 1996, it does not address boundary or resource
disputes or any other issue related to security matters.
All eight Arctic states (Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Russia and USA) are members of
the Arctic Council, as are organisations representing six indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic. Aside from
three EU Member State members of the Arctic Council, six observer countries are also EU Member States
(France, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK). Representing the EU, the European
Commission has been an ad-hoc observer in the Arctic Council and applied for observer status in 2008. This
application was reconfirmed in 2011, at the request of the Arctic Council.

- OECD and EU/MS participation?

37, 27, 21.

- Judicial architecture of the CJEU?

- Name of the organisation for asian regional integration? (x3)

[ASEAN?] [United Nations (UN)] [Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)]
[ADB].

- Max number of MEPs per country?

The maximum number of MEPs per country is 96.
The minimum number of MEPs per country is 6.

- Who was EP Président in 1979?

Simone Veil.

- Basel Convention? (x4)

The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their
Disposal was adopted on 22 March 1989 and entered into force on 5 May 1992.
International Treaty for reducing the movements of hazardous waste between nations, and to prevent
transfer of hazardous waste from developed to less developed countries (LDCs). It does not, however,
address the movement of radioactive waste. The Convention is also intended to minimise the amount and
toxicity of wastes generated, to ensure their environmentally sound management as closely as possible to
the source of generation, and to assist LDCs in environmentally sound management of the hazardous and
other wastes they generate.
Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (to join the EU)?
Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia.
The Stabilisation and Association Agreement constitutes the framework of relations between the European
Union and the Western Balkan countries for implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Process*.
The agreements are adapted to the specific situation of each partner country and, while establishing a free
trade area between the EU and the country concerned, they also identify common political and economic
objectives and encourage regional co-operation*. In the context of accession to the European Union, the
agreement serves as the basis for implementation of the accession process.
The SAP was launched in June 1999 and strengthened at the Thessaloniki Summit in June 2003 taking over
elements of the accession process.

What is ITER?
Nuclear fusion program.
ITER ("The Way" in Latin) is one of the most ambitious energy projects in the world today. In southern
France, 35 nations* are collaborating to build the world's largest tokamak, a magnetic fusion device that
has been designed to prove the feasibility of fusion as a large-scale and carbon-free source of energy
based on the same principle that powers our Sun and stars. The experimental campaign that will be
carried out at ITER is crucial to advancing fusion science and preparing the way for the fusion power plants
of tomorrow. ITER will be the first fusion device to produce net energy. ITER will be the first fusion device
to maintain fusion for long periods of time. And ITER will be the first fusion device to test the integrated
technologies, materials, and physics regimes necessary for the commercial production of fusion-based
electricity. Thousands of engineers and scientists have contributed to the design of ITER since the idea for
an international joint experiment in fusion was first launched in 1985. The ITER Members—China, the
European Union, India, Japan, Korea, Russia and the United States—are now engaged in a 35-year
collaboration to build and operate the ITER experimental device, and together bring fusion to the point
where a demonstration fusion reactor can be designed.

- EU Charter of Fundamental Rights

The charter has become legally binding on the EU with the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon, in
December 2009

The terms of the charter are addressed to the institutions and bodies of the EU; national authorities only when
they are implementing EU law

- Venice Declaration?
The Venice Declaration (also known as the Declaration of the Venice Summit) was an agreement issued by the
nine-member economic committee of the EEC, which met in June 1980 in conjunction with Palestinian
Liberation Organization (PLO). The declaration called for the acknowledgment of Palestinians’ right to self-
government and the PLO’s right to be connected to peace initiatives.

Montreal Protocol? (x2)

The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is the landmark multilateral environmental
agreement that regulates the production and consumption of nearly 100 man-made chemicals referred to as
ozone depleting substances (ODS). When released to the atmosphere, those chemicals damage the
stratospheric ozone layer, Earth’s protective shield that protects humans and the environment from harmful
levels of ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Adopted on 15 September 1987, the Protocol is to date the only UN
treaty ever that has been ratified every country on Earth - all 198 UN Member States..

Decision making process in the Council - difference between ‘A’ and ‘B’ items?
If Coreper has been able to finalise discussions on a proposal, it becomes an 'A' item on the Council agenda,
meaning that agreement is expected without debate. As a rule, around two-thirds of the items on a Council
agenda will be for adoption as 'A' items. Discussion on these items can nevertheless be re-opened if one or
more member states so request.

The 'B' section of the Council agenda includes points:

left over from previous Council meetings

upon which no agreement was reached in Coreper or at working party level

that are too politically sensitive to be settled at a lower level

ESPAS EU (accounting norms)? (x3)

The European Strategy and Policy Analysis System (ESPAS) provides a framework for cooperation and
consultation at administrative level, on a voluntary basis, between the European Parliament, the European
Commission, the Council of the European Union, and the European External Action Service, with the European
Investment Bank, the Committee of the Regions, the European Economic and Social Committee, the European
Institute for Security Studies and the European Court of Auditors as observers, to work together on medium-
and long-term trends facing or relating to the European Union.

EU Blue card?
The Blue Card is an approved EU-wide work permit allowing highly-skilled non-EU citizens to work and live in
25 of the 27 countries within the European Union, excluding Denmark and Ireland, which are not subject to the
proposal.

Can a trade agreement be adopted if EP does not give consent? no

The Council plays a crucial role in shaping a new trade agreement. In the opening stages, the Council
authorises the European Commission to negotiate a new trade agreement on behalf of the EU. This is done
through a "negotiating mandate". With the related authorisation, the Council providers negotiating directives
which include the objectives, scope and possible time limits of the negotiations. The Commission then
negotiates with the partner country on behalf of the EU, in close cooperation with the Council and the
European Parliament. After agreement on the text of the deal is reached with partners, the Commission
submits formal proposals for adoption to the 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 European
Parliament for consent.
In the final stages, after the European Parliament gives its consent, the Council adopts the decision to conclude
the agreement.

There are three main types of agreement:

1) Customs Unions

2) Association Agreements, Stabilisation Agreements, (Deep and Comprehensive) Free Trade Agreements
and Economic Partnership Agreements

3) Partnership and Cooperation Agreements

- UN Security Council members (UNSC)? (x5)

Permanent (5): US, China, France, Russia, UK.
Non-Permanent (10): They rotate among their region. Elected by the UN General Assembly for two-
year terms starting on 1 January, with five replaced each year. The election is held by secret ballot
and there are no nominations. Two-thirds majority needed.
 President: Position is held by each of the members (permanent and non) in turn for one month,
following the English alphabetical order of the Member States names.

- Which organisation's funding was affected by a 2015 decision on migration?

Maybe Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) to support Greece in responding to
migratory challenges.
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32015D1601&from=EN

- When was European Development Fund (EDF) created? (x2)

1957 (voluntary donations by EU member states) .

- UN when this name was coined?

Coined by US President Roosevelt in the  Declaration by United Nations of 1 January 1942.

- How many Europeans work and live in another EU country than their own?

- Innovation Union?
Horizon 2020 flagship initiative aimed at securing Europe's global competitiveness.
https://ec.europa.eu/eip/agriculture/sites/agri-eip/files/innovation-pocket-book_en.pdf
https://www.mariecuriealumni.eu/newsletter/all-you-need-know-about-innovation-union-iu
Europe’s future is connected to its power to innovate. The Innovation Union, an action-packed initiative for
an innovation-friendly Europe, is the solution. It forms part of the Europe 2020 strategy that aims to
create smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.

The Innovation Union was a past research and innovation policy. The plan contained over 30 action points
and aimed to do 3 things: make Europe into a world-class science performer; remove obstacles to
innovation like expensive patenting, market fragmentation, slow standard-setting and skills shortages;
revolutionise the way public and private sectors work together, notably through Innovation
Partnerships between the European institutions, national and regional authorities and business

- Objectives of Horizon 2020(20)?

https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/docs/h2020-funding-guide/grants/applying-for-funding/find-
a-call/h2020-structure-and-budget_en.htm

Horizon 2020 is divided into 3 three pillars and 2 specific objectives corresponding to its main priorities:

Excellent Science

Industrial Leadership

Societal Challenges

Specific objective 'Spreading excellence & widening participation'

Specific objective 'Science with and for society

- Rotterdam Convention?
Hazardous Chemicals.

The text of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous
Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade was adopted and opened for signature at the Conference of
Plenipotentiaries held in Rotterdam on 10 September 1998. During the interim period, over 170 countries
designated some 265 national authorities (DNAs) to act on their behalf in the performance of the
administrative functions required by the Convention. The Convention entered into force on 24 February 2004
and became legally binding for its Parties.

- Revision of Treaties: who can propose it? (x2)

In both the ordinary and simplified revision procedures, the initial proposal for treaty reform can be made by
one of three entities: 1) any national government, 2) the European Parliament or 3) the European Commission.
http://aei.pitt.edu/15131/1/PB_215_o%27Broin_on_Lisbon.pdf
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/ATAG/2019/640167/EPRS_ATA(2019)640167_EN.pdf

- Which EU Institutions can launch proceedings at the ECJ when they feel this principle has been violated
by an EU law?
Enforcing the law (infringement proceedings) – this type of case is taken against a national government for
failing to comply with EU law. Can be started by the European Commission or another EU country. If the
country is found to be at fault, it must put things right at once, or risk a second case being brought, which may
result in a fine.

- Different Treaties of the EU and what they changed with regards to EU integration?

- Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex)?

- What is true for the voting procedures in the Council of the EU?

- Year of Independence South Sudan?

2011.

- Trilogue? (x2) ec ep c

- Roles of European Parliament?

- Asian Development Bank (ADB)?

From 31 members at its establishment in 1966, ADB has grown to encompass 68 members—of which 49 are
from within Asia and the Pacific and 19 outside.

- Esquipulas Peace Agreement?

Peace initiative to settle the military conflicts in Central America. Signed in 1987. Put in place the
Esquipulas Process to establish economic cooperation.

- NATO integration?

- Renewable Energy Directive 2012/2018? (x2)

2012: 20% savings by 2020
2018: 32,5% by 2030, plus 0,8% annually by MS.

- I 7 dell’Ave Maria?

- Trap question with "what is not mandatory for the president of the EC to be elected" [i think it was to
follow the last European elections]?
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/faq/8/how-are-the-commission-president-and-commissioners-
appointed

- Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space,
including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies? (x2)
 - What is the EBA scheme (Everything But Arms)?
Duty free and quota free access to the EU Single Market for all products, except arms.

- Which country joined the euro in 2015 out of Croatia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania?
Lithuania.

- What is the US National Science Foundation?

It funds research and education in most fields of science and engineering.
Different from Academy of Science!

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to
promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the
national defense..." NSF is vital because we support basic research and people to create knowledge that
transforms the future. This type of support:

Is a primary driver of the U.S. economy.

Enhances the nation's security.

Advances knowledge to sustain global leadership.

With an annual budget of $8.3 billion (FY 2020), we are the funding source for approximately 25 percent of all
federally supported basic research conducted by America's colleges and universities. In many fields such as
mathematics, computer science and the social sciences, NSF is the major source of federal backing.
View a two-minute video overview of NSF's mission and focus. To learn how NSF determines which research
has the greatest potential and would be the most fruitful investment of taxpayer dollars, view NSF's Merit
Review Process video.

- How do we call it when someone has the secret intention of not reaching a compromise with the other
party?
Bad faith.

- How do we call when an agreement cannot be improved, because all parties’ interests are satisfied?
Win-win.

- How much of the Horizon 2020 is dedicated for climate change?

35%.

- How do we call the proposal made by the Commission in a specific area?

White Paper.

- How is the EU’s agency for operational management of large-scale IT systems called?
EU-Lisa.

- How many official languages the EU has?

24.

- What SWOT stands for?

Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

- Which one is not an official declaration or statement?

A statement by a local EU delegation, not approved by the Head of Delegation.
 - Which one is not as associate country of Horizon 2020?
Croatia.

- Exclusive Competency?

Exclusive competences (Article 3 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union — TFEU) areas in
which the EU alone is able to legislate and adopt binding acts. EU countries are able to do so themselves only if
empowered by the EU to implement these acts. The EU have exclusive competence in the following areas:

customs union;

the establishing of competition rules necessary for the functioning of the internal market;

monetary policy for euro area countries;

conservation of marine biological resources under the common fisheries policy;

common commercial policy;

conclusion of international agreements under certain conditions

Maastricht treaty on EMU (Economy and Monetary Union)?

Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) targets?

MS 3% deficit ratios and 60% debt ratios.

Economic policy-making in EU countries is coordinated in the Council. The Stability and Growth Pact (SGP), laid
down in the Treaty, is a central element of this coordination. The SGP helps enforce fiscal discipline within
EMU and ensure sound and sustainable public finances.

The SGP requires

government deficits to be less than 3% of GDP

government debt to be less than 60% of GDP

Most Voted Party in 2019 Euro Elections? (x2)

European People's Party (EPP).

JCPOA : Joint comprehensive plan of action / Iran Nuclear Deal (Vienna 2015)? (x2)
Agreement on the Iranian nuclear program between Iran and the P5+1 (the five permanent members of
the United Nations Security Council, plus Germany) and the European Union.

- What is not part of the Junker plan?

Procedure of most decisions taken by council [?].

- First woman EP President?

Simone Veil in 1979.

- Who deals with EU citizens' or businesses' problems in another EU MS?

Solvit?

- What is not true about CAP?

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) was set out in the Treaty of Rome (1957) and established in 1962. It was
intended to enable the European Community to avoid the food-shortages experienced during and after the
war.
- established in Treaty of Rome [false - in 1962] ;
- updated after 1992 Rio Summit [true - sustainable development];
- environmental action by farmers affects green payments [true];
- not directly regulated by EU [false?]

- - What are the limits of EU action according to Art 5 TEU?

Conferral, Subsidiarity, Proportionality etc etc.

- Principles of the EU budget?

[Union, stability, the answer was something about 'credit rates’]

- Remit of European Labour Authority (ELA)? 2017 - 2019

https://www.ela.europa.eu/
The agency does not exert any regulatory authority directly, but rather will work to coordinate the
enforcement efforts of other European agencies.
Among the agency's tasks are resolution of disputes arising under its authority, coordination of labour
inspections, and information sharing among member states.
ELA ensures that EU rules on labour mobility and social security coordination are enforced in a fair and
effective way and makes it easier for citizens and businesses to reap the benefits of the internal
market

- Role of EP when EU concludes Free Trade Agreement?

- Berne Convention?
International agreement governing copyright, which was first accepted in Berne in 1886.

- Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP)?

Standard GSP for low and lower-middle income countries. This means a partial or full removal of
customs duties on 2/3 of tariff lines.
GSP+: the special incentive arrangement for sustainable development and good governance. It
slashes these same tariffs to 0% for vulnerable low and lower-middle income countries that
implement 27 international conventions related to human rights, labour rights, protection of the
environment and good governance.

(1) European Council standard decision making: consensus (not unanimity or qualified majority –
latter refers to the Council of Ministers!)
(2) Statements on Eurojust / Europol / EPPO / OLAF: I think the one on Eurojust was correct
(3) 4 EU integration statements: either the one on Maastricht Treaty and criteria of '92 agreeing to
create €, or EMS & Werner plan was right, but the date in the latter had '71 vs. the actually correct
'79, but for sure € coin introduction was incorrect because Sweden was also listed!
http://www.edurete.org/pd/sele_art.asp?ida=1954
(4) Number of countries introducing € in 2002: 12
(5) NOT an EU citizen's right: participate in another MS' national election
(6) NATO CORRECT statement: the one on 12 founding members
(7) OSCE membership CORRECT statement: 1975
All EU member states are at the same time participating States of the OSCE.
In 2006, the participation of the EU in the OSCE was formalized in the Organization’s Rules of
Procedure, which granted it a seat next to the participating State holding the rotating EU
Presidency.
https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/5/0/22775.pdf
https://www.osce.org/partnerships/european-union
(8) EU Aid for Trade runs under... : ODA
https://www.oecd.org/dac/financing-sustainable-development/development-finance-
standards/official-development-assistance.htm
https://ec.europa.eu/international-partnerships/system/files/report-aid-for-traid-2017-final-with-
stories_en.pdf

Prepare more on topics such as EU integration history (dates, milestones, mechanisms contents of
historical treaties) and other international/intergovernmental organisations (UN, OECD, NATO,
ASEAN, OAU, GCC, MERCOSUR - founding dates, history of founding, founding members,
current membership, EU's participation).
UN 1945, 193 member states
OECD 1961, 37 members, 22 eu ms, Paris
Like all the member countries, the EU maintains a Permanent Delegation to the OECD.
The EU does not, on the other hand, contribute to the budget of the Organisation, and its
representative is not entitled to vote when legal acts are being adopted by the Council.
EU helps formulate the programme of work.
The European Commission participates in our work, but it does not have the right to vote.
NATO 1949, sede Bruxelles, 30 member states, 12 founders
The EU is a unique and essential partner for NATO.
NATO and the EU currently have 21 member countries in common.
ASEAN 1967, 10 member states, 5 founders, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and
Thailand, sede Giacarta
OAU 1963, 32 founders
The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the
countries of the African Continent. It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the
Organisation of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999).
GCC The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, originally (and still colloquially)
known as the Gulf Cooperation Council is a regional intergovernmental political and economic
union consisting of all Arab states of the Persian Gulf - Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi
Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates - except Iraq. The Charter of the GCC was signed on 25 May
1981, formally establishing the institution.
MERCOSUR
Mercosur was established in 1991 and encompasses Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay.
Venezuela, which officially joined in July 2012, was suspended from membership in 2017.

- IUU
The EU Regulation to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
(IUU) entered into force on 1 January 2010. The Commission is working actively with all
stakeholders to ensure coherent application of the IUU Regulation.

 Asian association for regional cooperation (SAARC) The South Asian Association for
Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established with the signing of the SAARC Charter in
Dhaka on 8 December 1985. SAARC comprises of eight Member States: Afghanistan,
Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The Secretariat of the
Association was set up in Kathmandu on 17 January 1987.
  Policy area where the EESC consultation is mandatory

In certain specifically mentioned areas, the TFEU stipulates that a decision may be taken only after
the Council or Commission has consulted the Committee. These areas are:

Agricultural policy (Article 43);

Free movement of persons and services (Articles 46, 50 and 59);

Transport policy (Articles 91, 95 and 100);

Harmonisation of indirect taxation (Article 113);

Approximation of laws on the internal market (Articles 114 and 115);

Employment policy (Articles 148, 149 and 153);

Social policy, education, vocational training and youth (Articles 156, 165 and 166);

Public health (Article 168);

Consumer protection (Article 169);

Trans-European networks (Article 172);

Industrial policy (Article 173);

Economic, social and territorial cohesion (Article 175);

Research and technological development and space (Articles 182 and 188);

The environment (Article 192)

 Basel Convention – hazardous wastes 1989 entered into force 1992

 Area of exclusive competence of EU (Art. 3 TFUE)

L'Unione ha competenza esclusiva nei seguenti settori:

a) unione doganale;

b) definizione delle regole di concorrenza necessarie al funzionamento del mercato interno;

c) politica monetaria per gli Stati membri la cui moneta è l'euro;

d) conservazione delle risorse biologiche del mare nel quadro della politica comune della pesca;

e) politica commerciale comune.

L'Unione ha inoltre competenza esclusiva per la conclusione di accordi internazionali allorché tale
conclusione è prevista in un atto legislativo dell'Unione o è necessaria per consentirle di esercitare
le sue competenze a livello interno o nella misura in cui può incidere su norme comuni o
modificarne la portata.

 PESCO

Introduced by the Lisbon Treaty on European Union (article 42.6, 46 and Protocol 10), PESCO
is a framework and process to deepen defence cooperation between those EU Member States who
are capable and willing to do so. 25 EU Member States have joined PESCO and subscribed to more
binding commitments to invest, plan, develop and operate defence capabilities more together,
within the Union framework. The objective is to jointly arrive at a coherent full spectrum of defence
capabilities available to Member States for national and multinational (EU, NATO, UN, etc.)
missions and operations. This will enhance the EU’s capacity as an international security actor,
contribute to the protection of the EU citizens and maximise the effectiveness of defence spending.

The key difference between PESCO and other forms of cooperation is the legally binding nature of
the commitments undertaken by the 25 Member States which participate in PESCO.

The list of ambitious and more binding common commitments undertaken by each of the
participating PESCO contains 20 individual commitments, split into the five key areas set out by
art.2 of Protocol N°10 on PESCO annexed to the Lisbon Treaty.

These are the only non-participant EU member states: Denmark, which has a permanent opt-out
from the common defence policy. Malta, which wants to see how PESCO develops first since it
may violate the Maltese Constitution (Neutrality Clause).

- Who deals with EU citizens' or businesses' problems in another EU MS Solvit

- What is not true about CAP (established in Treaty of Rome; updated after 1992 Rio Summit;
environmental action by farmers affects green payments; not directly regulated by EU)
- What does ENISA stand for: The European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), 2004
operativa dal 2005
- Role of EP in international fisheries agreements. 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.

- What majority is needed for a motion of censure by the EP. According to rule 119 a motion of
censure on the Commission may be submitted to the President by one tenth of the component
Members of Parliament. Parliament will debate this motion in plenary session at least 24 hours after
it is announced, and then put it to a  roll-call-vote, at least 48 hours after the beginning of the
debate. To be adopted, the motion of censure needs to secure 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.

- What type of agreements does the EU have with African nations under the Cotonou
Agreeement. Partnership Agreements
- What are the limits of EU action according to Art 5 TEU The limits of Union competences are
governed by the principle of conferral. The use of Union competences is governed by the principles
of subsidiarity and proportionality.

Paris agreement adopted by 196 countries

Enhanced Cooperation
Enhanced cooperation is a procedure where a minimum of 9 EU countries are allowed to establish
advanced integration or cooperation in an area within EU structures but without the other EU
countries being involved. This allows them to move at different speeds and towards different goals
than those outside the enhanced cooperation areas. The procedure is designed to overcome
paralysis, where a proposal is blocked by an individual country or a small group of countries who
do not wish to be part of the initiative. It does not, however, allow for an extension of powers
outside those permitted by the EU Treaties. Authorisation to proceed with the enhanced cooperation
is granted by the Council, on a proposal from the Commission and after obtaining the consent of the
European Parliament. As of February 2013, this procedure was being used in the fields of divorce
law, and patents, and is approved for the field of a financial transaction tax.

Art 7 procedure

Role of Parliament in MFF Art 312 TFEU

The Council, acting in accordance with a special legislative procedure, shall adopt a regulation
laying down the multiannual financial framework. The Council shall act unanimously after
obtaining the consent of the European Parliament, which shall be given by a majority of its
component members. The European Council may, unanimously, adopt a decision authorising the
Council to act by a qualified majority when adopting the regulation referred to in the first
subparagraph.

Arctic council composition, role 1996

Representing the EU, the European Commission has been an ad-hoc observer in the Arctic Council
and applied for observer status in 2008. This application was reconfirmed in 2011, at the request of
the Arctic Council.

Everything but arms" in relation to the GSP

Everything but Arms (EBA) is an initiative of the European Union under which all imports to the
EU from the Least Developed Countries are duty-free and quota-free, with the exception of
armaments. EBA entered into force on 5 March 2001. There were transitional arrangements for
bananas, sugar and rice until January 2006, July 2009 and September 2009 respectively. The EBA
is part of the EU Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).

Convention on the Law of the Sea

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea lays down a comprehensive regime of law
and order in the world's oceans and seas establishing rules governing all uses of the oceans and their
resources. It enshrines the notion that all problems of ocean space are closely interrelated and need
to be addressed as a whole.

The Convention was opened for signature on 10 December 1982 in Montego Bay, Jamaica. This
marked the culmination of more than 14 years of work involving participation by more than 150
countries representing all regions of the world, all legal and political systems and the spectrum of
socio/economic development. At the time of its adoption, the Convention embodied in one
instrument traditional rules for the uses of the oceans and at the same time introduced new legal
concepts and regimes and addressed new concerns. The Convention also provided the framework
for further development of specific areas of the law of the sea.

The Convention entered into force in accordance with its article 308 on 16 November 1994, 12
months after the date of deposit of the sixtieth instrument of ratification or accession. Today, it is
the globally recognized regime dealing with all matters relating to the law of the sea.

The Convention (full text) comprises 320 articles and nine annexes, governing all aspects of ocean
space, such as delimitation, environmental control, marine scientific research, economic and
commercial activities, transfer of technology and the settlement of disputes relating to ocean
matters.

one true statement among four related to Olaf or Europol Eurojust

https://www.eurojust.europa.eu/states-and-partners/eu-partners/olaf

who can bring a claim to the ECJ and when in the process the commission considers it
The Commission identifies possible infringements of EU law on the basis of its own investigations
or following complaints from citizens, businesses or other stakeholders.
If the EU country concerned fails to communicate measures that fully transpose the provisions of
directives, or doesn’t rectify the suspected violation of EU law, the Commission may launch a
formal infringement procedure. The procedure follows a number of steps laid out in the EU treaties,
each ending with a formal decision.
Infringement procedure. According to the EU treaties, the Commission may take legal action – an
infringement procedure – against an EU country that fails to implement EU law. The Commission
may refer the issue to the Court of Justice, which in certain cases, can impose financial penalties.

Civil protection mechanism 2001 EU and (Iceland, Norway, Serbia, North Macedonia,
Montenegro, and Turkey)
The overall objective of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism is to strengthen cooperation between
the EU Member States and 6 Participating States in the field of civil protection, with a view to
improve prevention, preparedness and response to disasters. When the scale of an emergency
overwhelms the response capabilities of a country, it can request assistance via the Mechanism.
Through the Mechanism, the European Commission plays a key role in coordinating the response to
disasters in Europe and beyond and contributes to at least 75% of the transport and/or operational
costs of deployments.

Role of the EEAS high representative

The EEAS is the European Union's diplomatic service. It helps the EU's foreign affairs chief – the
High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy – carry out the Union's Common
Foreign and Security Policy. A key aspect of the work of the EEAS is its ability to work closely
with the foreign and defence ministries of the member states of the EU and the other EU institutions
such as the European Commission, Council and Parliament. It also has a strong working
relationship with the United Nations and other International Organisations. Based in Brussels, but
relying on an extensive network of EU diplomatic presence worldwide, the EEAS brings together
European civil servants, diplomats from the foreign services of the EU member states and local staff
in countries around the world. The EEAS is headed by the EU’s High Representative for Foreign
Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission (HR/VP).

G5 Sahel countries Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger

what is ENISA (European Network and Information Security Agency)
The European Union Agency for Cybersecurity, ENISA, is the Union’s agency dedicated to
achieving a high common level of cybersecurity across Europe. Established in 2004
2018 eurobarometer: in which field EU public want to have more harmonisation? wages (the
other options were taxation, animal welfare and privacy)
what was the 4th EU trading partner in 2019. US China UK Switzerland

Who may appeal to ecj in violation of the subsidiarity principle In the case of a breach of the
principle of subsidiarity, the Committee of the Regions or EU countries may refer an adopted act
directly to the Court of Justice of the EU.

SGP Targets

Art 290 delegation act

Article 290 of the TFEU allows the EU legislator (generally, the European Parliament and the
Council) to delegate to the Commission the power to adopt non-legislative acts of general
application that supplement or amend certain non-essential elements of a legislative act.

For example, delegated acts may add new (non-essential) rules or involve a subsequent amendment
to certain aspects of a legislative act. The legislator can thus concentrate on policy direction and
objectives without entering into overly detailed and often highly technical debates.

The delegation of power to adopt delegated acts is nevertheless subject to strict limits. Indeed, only
the Commission can be empowered to adopt delegated acts. Furthermore, the essential elements of
an area may not be subject to a delegation of power. In addition, the objectives, content, scope and
duration of the delegation of power must be defined in the legislative acts. Lastly, the legislator
must explicitly set in the legislative act the conditions under which this delegation may be
exercised. In this respect, the Parliament and the Council may provide for the right to revoke the
delegation or to express objections to the delegated act.

This procedure is widely used in many areas, for example: internal market, agriculture,
environment, consumer protection, transport, and the area of freedom, security and justice.

Through which declaration the EU adopted a common stance towards the Israel-Palestine
conflict (Barcelona declaration 1995, double-check)

who was the pioneer of CAP (SPAAK report, Hallstein)

japan, russia, usa, china --> which was the country with lowest import-export rates with the
eu either 2018 or 2019 https://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2013/december/tradoc_151969.pdf

1. Roles ex-officio of the high representative of the Union

The High Representative conducts the Common Foreign and Security Policy, including the
Common Security Defence policy, presides over the Foreign Affairs Council and is one of the vice-
presidents of the European Commission. The High Representative is appointed by the European
Council acting by a qualified majority, with the agreement of the President of the Commission for a
mandate of 5 years.
2. What is the role of the JRC The Joint Research Centre is the Commission's science and
knowledge service. The JRC employs scientists to carry out research in order to provide
independent scientific advice and support to EU policy.
3. What is the first organisation for Latin American integration
4. What is NOT one of the 10 Junker priorities (fairer fishery policy)
7. What are the criteria to award H2020 funding (impact, excellence, quality and efficiency)
8. What is NOT a supervisory responsibility of the Parliament (approving the budget)
The European Parliament has a range of supervisory and control powers. These allow it to exercise
oversight over other institutions, to monitor the proper use of the EU budget and to ensure the
correct implementation of EU law.
9. What policy area is affected by the Bosman case 1995? (freedom of movement)
10. Who awards the Sakharov prize? (EP)
11. What is the size of the Investment plan? (315 bn)
14. Where is the ESM located? (Luxembourg)
15. What % of GDP needs to be spent on R&D to achieve H2020's objectives (3%)
18. Areas where unanimity was needed before the Treaty of Nice and not after (I think EESC
but I am not sure)
19. Competencies of the EESC (advisory on economic, employment and social affairs)
20. When was the Institute for Gender Equality founded (2006)
The European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) is an autonomous body of the European Union,
established to contribute to and strengthen the promotion of gender equality, including gender
mainstreaming in all EU policies and the resulting national policies, and the fight against
discrimination based on sex, as well as to raise EU citizens’ awareness of gender equality.

EU-UK
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_2531
https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/brexit_files/info_site/6_pager_final.pdf
https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/eu-uk_trade_and_cooperation_agreement-
a_new_relationship_with_big_changes-overview_of_consequences_and_benefits.pdf
https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/eu-
uk_relations_from_the_uk_referendum_to_a_new_trade_and_cooperation_agreement_-
_infographic.pdf
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_20_2532
https://ec.europa.eu/info/relations-united-kingdom_en
https://ec.europa.eu/info/relations-united-kingdom/eu-uk-trade-and-cooperation-agreement_en
https://ec.europa.eu/info/relations-united-kingdom/eu-uk-withdrawal-agreement/implementing-
withdrawal-agreement_en

MFF 2014-2020
https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/eu-budget/long-term-eu-budget/eu-budget-2014-2020/funding-
programmes_en
at least €70 billion will be available under the ESF
the European Regional Development Fund will target key priorities such as support for small and
medium-sized businesses with €140 billion over seven years
Erasmus+ programme budget of almost €15 billion
EU's new Creative Europe programme with a budget of almost €1.5 billion
Horizon 2020 almost € 80 billion
COSME programme, businesses can expect €2.3 billion
With €33.3 billion, the Connecting Europe facility (CEF)
At least 20% of the budget will be spent on climate-related projects and policies.

MFF 2021-2027
https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/infographics/mff2021-2027-ngeu-final/
For the first time ever, the new & reinforced priorities (335.5) have the highest share within the
long-term budget, 31.9%. In comparison, funds under the Common Agricultural Policy (336.4)
account for 30.9%, while funds for economic, social and territorial cohesion (330.2) make for
30.4%.

Taken together, more than 50% of the total amount of the next long-term budget and
NextGenerationEU will support the modernisation through policies that include research and
innovation, via Horizon Europe; fair climate and digital transitions, via the Just Transition Fund and
the Digital Europe programme; preparedness, recovery and resilience, via the Recovery and
Resilience Facility, rescEU and a new health programme,

Finally, 30% of the EU budget, under both the long-term budget and NextGenerationEU, will be
spent to fight climate change.

Next Generation EU: fueling recovery and resilience

All amounts in € billion (2018 prices)

 Horizon Europe: 5       
 InvestEU Fund: 5.6
 REACT EU: 47.5
 Recovery and Resilience Facility: 672.5
 Union Civil Protection Mechanism (rescEU): 1.9
 European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD): 7.5
 Just Transition Fund: 10

Horizon Europe
Horizon Europe will have a budget of around €95.5 billion for 2021-2027 (current prices).
This includes €5.4 billion (current prices) from NextGenerationEU to boost our
recovery and make the EU more resilient for the future, as well as an additional reinforcement of
€4.5 billion (current prices). Horizon Europe will be implemented also through the European
Defence Fund and complemented by the Euratom Researchand Training Programme.
THREE PILLARS FOR IMPLEMENTATION
EXCELLENT SCIENCE
GLOBAL CHALLENGES & EUROPEAN INDUSTRIAL COMPETITIVENESS
INNOVATIVE EUROPE

https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/eu-budget/long-term-eu-budget/eu-budget-2021-2027_en
https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/infographics/mff2021-2027-ngeu-final/
https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/2021-2027-multiannual-financial-framework-digital-
shines-through-eus-long-term-budget
https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/eu-budget/long-term-eu-budget_en
https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/eu-budget/long-term-eu-budget/eu-budget-2021-2027_en
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_20_2469
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/QANDA_20_2465
https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/about_the_european_commission/eu_budget/mff_factsheet_
agreement_en_web_20.11.pdf
https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/eu-budget/long-term-eu-budget/eu-budget-2014-2020_en

Forerunner Eurostat 1958

Interinstitutional bodies of EU:

Computer Emergency Response Team
EPSO
Pubblication office of the EU
European School of Administration

European systemic risk board

The ESRB is responsible for the macroprudential oversight of the EU financial system and the
prevention and mitigation of systemic risk. The ESRB therefore has a broad remit, covering banks,
insurers, asset managers, shadow banks, financial market infrastructures and other financial
institutions and markets.In pursuit of its macroprudential mandate, the ESRB monitors and assesses
systemic risks and, where appropriate, issues warnings and recommendations.
The General Board, chaired by the President of the ECB, Christine Lagarde, is the ESRB’s
decision-making body. It discusses current macroprudential developments and, where necessary,
issues recommendations and warnings.

EEA Agreement
Entered into force on 1994

EU pop in 2019
Option with number of farmer land, income and farmers in the EU
Number of EU citizen living in another MS than the one that there are born in
Motion of censure
EU Aid for Trade & ODA
Monetary Union (date, number of countries at the Eur launch)
Target renewal energy 2030 (32 %)
Subsidiarity
G5 Sahel
Eurobarometer 2018 (answer is wage)
Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) (rule of 3% deficit, 60 % debt to GDP)
Schuman declaration anniversary in 2015 (65th)
NATO founding member
Esquipulas initiative for peace in Central America in the 80’s
Court of Justice (different statement on composition and number of judge)
Min amount of MEP’s to form a political group
When did the Cotonou agreement replace the Lome convention ? (I think its 2000)
Minamata convention (this one tricked me, it’s only on mercury)

European Stability Mechanism (which statement does not apply)

Eurobarometer on climate change (93% was the answer)
when term "United Nations" was coined
two questions on the CAP and how financing is distributed
top trade partners
subsidiarity
development bank
Venice Agreement

Interinstitutional bodies: Pubblication Office of the EU; EPSP; European School of Administration;
The Computer Emergency Response Team

European Systemic Rysk Board created 16 December 2010 Lagarde President

EEA Agreement
EMIR
Trio set in Lisbon
European Security Strategy
Better regulation Agenda 2015 transparency in EU decision making
Snake Basel agreement 1972 fluctuation margin 2.25%
Commettee of Regions 1994
Outer Regions 13.3 billion di ESI
Violence programme 1997 Daphne
ReactEU 55 billion additional funds
Taxation consultation procedure
Agriculture no consultation procedure
Grean Deal Call 2020 1billion
UN climate change secretariat 1992
EUROPOL/EUROJUST/OLAF some general statements (when created, location and role)
European Labo ur Authority. The European Labour Authority was established on 31 July 2019 and
its activities started in mid-October 2019, with the first Management Board meeting. ELA is
expected to reach its full operational capacity by 2024.