natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
A declaration (No 12) adopted at the Lisbon European Council guarantees Parliament’s rights. .
A declaration (No 12) adopted at the Lisbon European Council guarantees Parliament’s rights. .
(3) These provisions essentially correspond to what the European Parliament had long been calling for: the High Representative will indeed be able to increase the coherence and efficiency of the Union's international action, promote the emergence of a genuine common foreign policy and raise the Union's international profile by giving it a 'face'.
(3) These provisions essentially correspond to what the European Parliament had long been calling for: the High Representative will indeed be able to increase the coherence and efficiency of the Union's international action, promote the emergence of a genuine common foreign policy and raise the Union's international profile by giving it a 'face'.
The threefold political accountability of the High Representative, to the European Parliament, the Council and the President of the Commission, is positive.
The threefold political accountability of the High Representative, to the European Parliament, the Council and the President of the Commission, is positive.
But potential conflicts between the High Representative and the President of the Commission or the President of the European Council remain possible, and his or her hybrid status may give rise to conflicts of loyalty between the Council and Commission.
But potential conflicts between the High Representative and the President of the Commission or the President of the European Council remain possible, and his or her hybrid status may give rise to conflicts of loyalty between the Council and Commission.
The Court of Justice of the European Union
The Court of Justice of the European Union
The Treaty of Lisbon also enhances the role of the Union's judicial wing, which it calls the ' Court of Justice of the European Union ', comprising the 'Court of Justice', the 'General Court' and possible 'specialised courts', instituted by a regulation
The Treaty of Lisbon also enhances the role of the Union's judicial wing, which it calls the ' Court of Justice of the European Union ', comprising the 'Court of Justice', the 'General Court' and possible 'specialised courts', instituted by a regulation
Adopted by Parliament and the Council by means of the ordinary legislative procedure, either on a proposal from the Commission and after consulting the Court of Justice, or at the request of the Court of Justice and after consulting the Commission. .
Adopted by Parliament and the Council by means of the ordinary legislative procedure, either on a proposal from the Commission and after consulting the Court of Justice, or at the request of the Court of Justice and after consulting the Commission. .
Although there are no major changes in the composition and organisation of the Court of Justice and the General Court (Court of First Instance), a preliminary stage is introduced into the procedure for appointing judges and advocates-general: before being appointed by the Member States, the candidates nominated by the governments will be heard by a committee with a remit to assess the candidates' suitability to perform their duties.
Although there are no major changes in the composition and organisation of the Court of Justice and the General Court (Court of First Instance), a preliminary stage is introduced into the procedure for appointing judges and advocates-general: before being appointed by the Member States, the candidates nominated by the governments will be heard by a committee with a remit to assess the candidates' suitability to perform their duties.
This committee will have seven members (former Members of the Court of Justice or national supreme courts and jurist with acknowledged expertise), including one proposed by Parliament.
This committee will have seven members (former Members of the Court of Justice or national supreme courts and jurist with acknowledged expertise), including one proposed by Parliament.
In future, acts of the European Council and of the agencies will be subject to judicial review to ensure their legality.
In future, acts of the European Council and of the agencies will be subject to judicial review to ensure their legality.
The conditions for the admissibility of complaints by natural and legal persons about regulatory acts are eased.
The conditions for the admissibility of complaints by natural and legal persons about regulatory acts are eased.
There will be no restrictions on the bringing of actions against acts adopted in the field of judicial cooperation in criminal matters and police cooperation, except as regards reviewing the validity and proportionality of police operations and the exercise by States of their responsibilities for maintaining public order and internal security.
There will be no restrictions on the bringing of actions against acts adopted in the field of judicial cooperation in criminal matters and police cooperation, except as regards reviewing the validity and proportionality of police operations and the exercise by States of their responsibilities for maintaining public order and internal security.
Finally, although the acts adopted in the field of the common foreign and security policy cannot in themselves be the subject of legal proceedings, the Court nonetheless has jurisdiction to consider the legality of European decisions providing for restrictive measures against legal and natural persons.
Finally, although the acts adopted in the field of the common foreign and security policy cannot in themselves be the subject of legal proceedings, the Court nonetheless has jurisdiction to consider the legality of European decisions providing for restrictive measures against legal and natural persons.
It may also rule whether a measure falls within the scope of the CFSP or is covered by other Union competences.
It may also rule whether a measure falls within the scope of the CFSP or is covered by other Union competences.
6.7 Other institutions and advisory bodies
6.7 Other institutions and advisory bodies
(1) The provisions concerning the European Central Bank (elevated to the rank of an institution of the Union) and the Court of Auditors remain virtually unchanged, although one innovation by comparison with the Constitution is that these two institutions now appear in the list of institutions included in the new Article 13 of the amended TEU.
(1) The provisions concerning the European Central Bank (elevated to the rank of an institution of the Union) and the Court of Auditors remain virtually unchanged, although one innovation by comparison with the Constitution is that these two institutions now appear in the list of institutions included in the new Article 13 of the amended TEU.
Moreover, it may be noted that the members of the Bank's Executive Board are in future to be appointed by the Council acting by a qualified majority and no longer unanimously.
Moreover, it may be noted that the members of the Bank's Executive Board are in future to be appointed by the Council acting by a qualified majority and no longer unanimously.
(2) As regards the Committee of the Regions and the Economic and Social Committee , the Committee of the Regions acquires the right to bring an action on grounds of a violation of the principle of subsidiarity by a legislative act for the adoption of which the Treaty of Lisbon requires it to be consulted.
(2) As regards the Committee of the Regions and the Economic and Social Committee , the Committee of the Regions acquires the right to bring an action on grounds of a violation of the principle of subsidiarity by a legislative act for the adoption of which the Treaty of Lisbon requires it to be consulted.
It may thus be concluded that, despite certain aspects with regard to which it is not possible to judge in advance how effective the proposed changes will be, the Treaty of Lisbon succeeds in clarifying and enhancing the capacity of the institutions whilst preserving the 'Community method' and the institutional balance, which should enable the Union to respond to the new situation arising from enlargement and assert itself in the international arena.
It may thus be concluded that, despite certain aspects with regard to which it is not possible to judge in advance how effective the proposed changes will be, the Treaty of Lisbon succeeds in clarifying and enhancing the capacity of the institutions whilst preserving the 'Community method' and the institutional balance, which should enable the Union to respond to the new situation arising from enlargement and assert itself in the international arena.
Acts and procedures: a more coherent, precise and comprehensible system
Acts and procedures: a more coherent, precise and comprehensible system
The new Treaty brings about significant progress in terms of simplification and rationalisation of decision-making procedures and instruments for action.
The new Treaty brings about significant progress in terms of simplification and rationalisation of decision-making procedures and instruments for action.
The gains as regards the efficiency of procedures and their democratic legitimacy are obvious.
The gains as regards the efficiency of procedures and their democratic legitimacy are obvious.
Unfortunately, at the same time the Member States decided to abandon the changes in terminology introduced by the Constitution, which were important in order to enable citizens to understand more clearly who decides what in the Union and how.
Unfortunately, at the same time the Member States decided to abandon the changes in terminology introduced by the Constitution, which were important in order to enable citizens to understand more clearly who decides what in the Union and how.
Parliament can only criticise this backward step, which entails a significant loss of transparency.
Parliament can only criticise this backward step, which entails a significant loss of transparency.
7.2 The typology of legal instruments is left essentially unchanged, with one minor simplification: five types of legal instrument are provided for: regulations, directives, decisions, recommendations and opinions.
7.2 The typology of legal instruments is left essentially unchanged, with one minor simplification: five types of legal instrument are provided for: regulations, directives, decisions, recommendations and opinions.
The distinction drawn in the Constitution between legislative acts and implementing acts is retained, which is very welcome, but the terminology used in the Constitutional Treaty for legislative acts, law and framework law, has been abandoned, which runs counter to the goal of transparency.
The distinction drawn in the Constitution between legislative acts and implementing acts is retained, which is very welcome, but the terminology used in the Constitutional Treaty for legislative acts, law and framework law, has been abandoned, which runs counter to the goal of transparency.
Henceforth, there will be legislative acts which are called regulations or directives or decisions, and implementing acts which are also called regulations, directives or decisions.
Henceforth, there will be legislative acts which are called regulations or directives or decisions, and implementing acts which are also called regulations, directives or decisions.
The idea of a clear hierarchy of instruments has thus gone by the board.
The idea of a clear hierarchy of instruments has thus gone by the board.
The terms provided for in the Constitution were simple and clear, and the designation 'European' added to each category would have enabled the public to understand precisely what was meant, since the terms correspond to the terminology used in most Member States (a law is a set of rules emanating from parliament, a regulation is a set of rules adopted by the executive or a local administration), putting an end to the confusion and terminological imprecision which have prevailed until now.
The terms provided for in the Constitution were simple and clear, and the designation 'European' added to each category would have enabled the public to understand precisely what was meant, since the terms correspond to the terminology used in most Member States (a law is a set of rules emanating from parliament, a regulation is a set of rules adopted by the executive or a local administration), putting an end to the confusion and terminological imprecision which have prevailed until now.
Instead, the terms regulations and directives will be retained for legislative acts, but will also be used to describe non-legislative acts, with the addition of the adjective ‘implementing’ (or ‘delegated’) to distinguish them from legislative acts.
Instead, the terms regulations and directives will be retained for legislative acts, but will also be used to describe non-legislative acts, with the addition of the adjective ‘implementing’ (or ‘delegated’) to distinguish them from legislative acts.
The result is thus the retention of language which is both obscure, being likely to make ordinary citizens think first of a bureaucratic, non-transparent authority, and misleading, the most glaring paradox (at least for those countries which use this terminology) being that of calling a legislative act a 'regulation'!
The result is thus the retention of language which is both obscure, being likely to make ordinary citizens think first of a bureaucratic, non-transparent authority, and misleading, the most glaring paradox (at least for those countries which use this terminology) being that of calling a legislative act a 'regulation'!
Despite the terminological problems outlined above, the new Treaty also establishes a hierarchy of instruments .
Despite the terminological problems outlined above, the new Treaty also establishes a hierarchy of instruments .
The supremacy of legislative acts over executive acts is clearly stipulated.
The supremacy of legislative acts over executive acts is clearly stipulated.
And although the general rule is that implementation of European decisions is a matter for the Member States, the Commission is clearly recognised as the European executive, with the duty to take the necessary measures to implement legislative acts at European level, whilst the Council only exceptionally assumes executive responsibilities, in those cases where the new Treaty expressly so determines, or when legislative acts, stating due reasons, so specify.
And although the general rule is that implementation of European decisions is a matter for the Member States, the Commission is clearly recognised as the European executive, with the duty to take the necessary measures to implement legislative acts at European level, whilst the Council only exceptionally assumes executive responsibilities, in those cases where the new Treaty expressly so determines, or when legislative acts, stating due reasons, so specify.
The creation of a category of delegated regulations , which involve power being delegated by the legislative authority (the European Parliament and the Council) to the Commission, will make the Union's action more efficient, as there will be no need for the legislature to concern itself with technical details which can be dealt with more quickly and appropriately by the executive; delegation of powers is accompanied by the requisite guarantees of scrutiny by the legislative authority (in particular by means of two mechanisms which make it possible either to block the adoption of a measure by the Commission or to revoke the delegation of powers), and complete equality between the European Parliament and the Council is ensured
The creation of a category of delegated regulations , which involve power being delegated by the legislative authority (the European Parliament and the Council) to the Commission, will make the Union's action more efficient, as there will be no need for the legislature to concern itself with technical details which can be dealt with more quickly and appropriately by the executive; delegation of powers is accompanied by the requisite guarantees of scrutiny by the legislative authority (in particular by means of two mechanisms which make it possible either to block the adoption of a measure by the Commission or to revoke the delegation of powers), and complete equality between the European Parliament and the Council is ensured
Each of the two arms of the legislative authority may revoke the delegation decision at any time; in addition, a delegated regulation proposed by the Commission can enter into force only if neither of the two institutions makes objections within the time limit provided for by the law or framework law delegating the power of regulation.
Each of the two arms of the legislative authority may revoke the delegation decision at any time; in addition, a delegated regulation proposed by the Commission can enter into force only if neither of the two institutions makes objections within the time limit provided for by the law or framework law delegating the power of regulation.
These scrutiny arrangements are not exhaustive, moreover. .
These scrutiny arrangements are not exhaustive, moreover. .
We are thus faced with a hierarchy of instruments in which regulations, directives and decisions (not defined any more closely) are legislative acts, implementing regulations and directives are acts adopted by the executive to implement legislative acts, whilst decisions can also be either eminently political acts (the decision by the Council to use a 'bridging clause', for example) or individual implementing acts.
We are thus faced with a hierarchy of instruments in which regulations, directives and decisions (not defined any more closely) are legislative acts, implementing regulations and directives are acts adopted by the executive to implement legislative acts, whilst decisions can also be either eminently political acts (the decision by the Council to use a 'bridging clause', for example) or individual implementing acts.
The new legislative procedures : the Treaty of Lisbon clearly places the emphasis on the ordinary legislative procedure (which corresponds to the existing codecision procedure); this is the legislative procedure par excellence , to which the other types of legislative procedure are conceived as exceptions (‘special legislative procedures’) which must be explicitly provided for in the Treaties.
The new legislative procedures : the Treaty of Lisbon clearly places the emphasis on the ordinary legislative procedure (which corresponds to the existing codecision procedure); this is the legislative procedure par excellence , to which the other types of legislative procedure are conceived as exceptions (‘special legislative procedures’) which must be explicitly provided for in the Treaties.
The main features of the ordinary legislative procedure are as follows: the power of initiative rests with the Commission (except in the case of certain matters relating to the area of freedom, security and justice, where the Commission shares it with at least one-quarter of the Member States), there is codecision involving the European Parliament and the Council (some small changes which have been made to the old codecision procedure are intended precisely to stress the complete equality between the two institutions), and the Council adopts its decision by a qualified majority.
The main features of the ordinary legislative procedure are as follows: the power of initiative rests with the Commission (except in the case of certain matters relating to the area of freedom, security and justice, where the Commission shares it with at least one-quarter of the Member States), there is codecision involving the European Parliament and the Council (some small changes which have been made to the old codecision procedure are intended precisely to stress the complete equality between the two institutions), and the Council adopts its decision by a qualified majority.
The scope of the ordinary legislative procedure has been substantially expanded: some 50 new legal bases (bringing the total to 86), some of which are of enormous importance, such as those concerning the area of freedom, security and justice, policy on agriculture and fisheries, the European research area, the definition of implementing powers (hitherto governed by the framework decision on comitology) or the current Financial Regulation (cf.
The scope of the ordinary legislative procedure has been substantially expanded: some 50 new legal bases (bringing the total to 86), some of which are of enormous importance, such as those concerning the area of freedom, security and justice, policy on agriculture and fisheries, the European research area, the definition of implementing powers (hitherto governed by the framework decision on comitology) or the current Financial Regulation (cf.
Annex 3).
Annex 3).
In all these fields, the Council can no longer decide by itself, but only in agreement with Parliament.
In all these fields, the Council can no longer decide by itself, but only in agreement with Parliament.
Regrettably, there are still too many cases in which special legislative procedures apply, whereby one institution adopts an act with the participation of the other institution - which may range from consent to mere consultation - and in some cases it is difficult to see the choice of this type of procedure as anything but the result of concessions made during the negotiations at the Intergovernmental Conferences.
Regrettably, there are still too many cases in which special legislative procedures apply, whereby one institution adopts an act with the participation of the other institution - which may range from consent to mere consultation - and in some cases it is difficult to see the choice of this type of procedure as anything but the result of concessions made during the negotiations at the Intergovernmental Conferences.
There are three cases in which the European Parliament may enact legislative acts (regulations) with the consent of the Council.
There are three cases in which the European Parliament may enact legislative acts (regulations) with the consent of the Council.
In contrast, there are 28 cases in which provision is made for Council legislative acts
In contrast, there are 28 cases in which provision is made for Council legislative acts
In 22 of these cases, the Council decides unanimously (in five cases with the approval of the European Parliament, in 17 after mere consultation); in six cases it decides by a qualified majority (in one case with the approval of the European Parliament, in five cases after mere consultation) - cf.
In 22 of these cases, the Council decides unanimously (in five cases with the approval of the European Parliament, in 17 after mere consultation); in six cases it decides by a qualified majority (in one case with the approval of the European Parliament, in five cases after mere consultation) - cf.
Annex 4. .
Annex 4. .
The legislative act containing the annual budget is subject to a special procedure for joint decision-making by the European Parliament and the Council ( cf. point 8 below ).
The legislative act containing the annual budget is subject to a special procedure for joint decision-making by the European Parliament and the Council ( cf. point 8 below ).
Despite these exceptions, the Treaty of Lisbon undeniably represents distinct progress in terms of the efficiency and democratic legitimacy of European law-making.
Despite these exceptions, the Treaty of Lisbon undeniably represents distinct progress in terms of the efficiency and democratic legitimacy of European law-making.