European Union

The EU was set up after the WW II. Six countries (Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands) joined from the very beginning.

The EU is based on the rule of Law and Democracy. Principal objectives of the EU are:

1. to establish European citizenship (Fundamental rights: Freedom of movement, Civil and political rights);

2. to ensure freedom, security and justice (Cooperation in the field of Justice and Home Affairs);

3. to promote economic and social progress (Single market, Euro, the common currency, job creation);

4. to assert Europe’s role in the world (Common foreign policy and security).

The EU is run by five institutions, each playing a specific role:

- European parliament (elected by the peoples of the Member States);

- Council of the EU (composed of the government of the Member states);

- European Commission (driving force and executive body);

- Court of Juctice (compliance with the Law);

- Court of Auditors (sound and lawful management of the EU budget).

Task 7. Make the following text complete by translating the phrases in brackets.

International organizations Related to the un System

Besides the UN Specialized Agencies there are also several related agencies, which are (юридично) absolutely autonomous international organizations, but are working under the (егіда) of the UN. The (головні) institutions among them are International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and World Trade Organization (WTO). They play an important role in specific spheres of their competence. IAEA serves as the world central intergovernmental (форум) for scientific and technical cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. It (надавати) technical assistance to its 127 Member-States in the development of nuclear science programs. It formulates basic safety standards for radiation (захист).

WTO’s fundamental principles lay in non-discrimination: free trade, (підтримка) competition, reduction of protectionism. 28 WTO agreements formulate the legal grand rules for international commerce and for (торгівельний) policy. These agreements have three main objectives:

1. to help trade flow as free as possible;

2. (досягнути) further liberalization gradually through negotiations;

3. to set up appropriate means of setting disputes.

Task 8. Give synonyms to the words in bold type.

The European Parliament (EP) is elected by the citizens of the European Union to represent their interests. Its origins go back to the 1950s and the founding treaties, and since 1979 its members have been directly elected by the people they represent.

Elections are held every five years, and every EU citizen is entitled to vote, and to stand as a candidate, wherever they live in the EU. Parliament thus expresses the democratic will of the Union's citizens (more than 490 million people), and represents their interests in discussions with the other EU institutions. The present parliament has 785 members from all 27 EU countries. Nearly one third of them are women. In principle, the number of Members of the European Parliament shall not exceed 736 from the next parliamentary term on (i.e. 2009 – 2014). Since Bulgaria and Romania joined the Union in the course of the 2004-2009 parliamentary term, the current maximum number of 732 seats in the EP will be temporarily exceeded.

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) do not sit in national blocks, but in seven Europe-wide political groups. Between them, they represent all views on European integration, from the strongly pro-federalist to the openly Eurosceptic.

Task 9. Match the words on the left with their definitions on the right. Use them in the sentences of your own.

1. to promote	a) provide or give (a service, help, etc.)
2. to nominate	b) document giving permission or authority
3. quorum	c) propose or formally enter as a candidate for election or for an honour or award
4. to render	d) support or actively encourage (a cause, venture, etc.); further the progress of
5. authorization	e) a minimum number of members in an assembly, society, board of directors

Task 10. Topics for discussion.

1. Choose one specialized agency of the UNO and prepare a report on it

2. Discuss the role of World Trade Organization in the form of the dialogue.

3. Touch upon the history of EU.

4. Discuss the tasks of EU.

5. Describe the main bodies and functions of the European Parliament