The intergovernmental pillars of the European Union

Book abstract:

The European Union is a political reality established by the Maastricht Treaty but remains a myth in many aspects; it is not an international organisation having legal personality under the law of its Member States. Nor does it have any property or financial assets which belong to it. It is founded on the European Communities which are international organisations having their own financial resources, possessing international legal personality with rights and responsibilities under international law. They are the European Community, the European Coal and Steel Community, and the European Atomic Energy Authority. Together they form the central pillar of the European Union which is flanked by the two supporting pillars - the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and cooperation in the fields of Justice and Home Affairs. The latter are described as the intergovernmental pillars.

This work provides an analytical examination of the combination of public international law methods and Community methods at work in Europe. It is organised over eleven chapters which discuss issues such as the distinguishing features of the intergovernmental pillars and evolution of the second and third pillars. It examines strengths and weaknesses of the CFSP and of Justice and Home Affairs cooperation. The interrelation of the pillars and both judicial and parliamentary control of the pillars are allocated separate chapters. The book closes with an examination of security and defence policy.

The book will interest scholars, students and practitioners engaged in international law and the future development of the European Union.