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EU Policies
Fundamental to the EU is the idea that many areas of policy can be more effective if established at a European rather than a national level.
Policy areas include removing trade barriers to boost growth and jobs; improving our environment; and fighting international crime and illegal immigration.
In many cases these policies must then be turned into law, binding across borders. The EU has created a framework of processes and institutions to do this.
How is EU policy developed?
There are essentially three levels of policy making within the EU.
Treaty changes can only happen with the agreement of all governments of the member states. The Treaties must be ratified by national Parliaments.
Everything the EU does must be consistent with the Treaties. The broad direction of European policies, within that framework, is set by the European Council every three months.
The European Commission then works within the policy direction set by the European Councils to identify requirements for detailed policy development. It will engage directly with the relevant departments of member governments to formulate policy proposals that can be taken forward for legislation.
In the UK for instance, an EU policy on agriculture would be considered by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, but the Treasury would also have a view on budgetary implications. Any disagreement between departments would be resolved at ministerial level, with meetings chaired by the Foreign Secretary.
The EU has four different types of legal instrument:
- Regulations, which are binding and directly applicable in all member states
- Directives, which define a required result but leave member states to decide the best means to achieve it
- Decisions, which are binding on the bodies to which they are addressed
- Opinions and Recommendations, which have no binding force.
There are three main decision-making processes to enact these instruments: consultation, assent, and co-decision.
In practice these processes define how far the European Parliament may be involved in turning the policy into legislation.
International policies
See this section for information on foreign policy, aid and development, security policy and justice and home affairs
Economics and the EU
This section includes policies on economic and social affairs, EU budget, Economic and monetary union, regional support and enlargement
Justice and home affairs
How EU member states work together to tackle cross-border problems like terrorism,organised crime and illegal immigration
Enlargement
Find out about how countries join the EU