Workshops will be the focal point of the conference. The participants will be instructed by experts in order to ensure an effective working atmosphere. The participants will develop approaches to the specific problems arising in the field of their workshop’s subject. Each workshop will consist of participants from all over Europe which will allow for many different perspectives.
Workshop 1: The European Economic Area: 27 Antagonists or one Global Player?
This workshop is about the harmonization of the national markets. According to Art. 26 s.2 TFEU, Europe is now “an area without internal frontiers in which the free movement of goods, persons, services and capital is ensured”.It must thus be the aim to strengthen the international competitiveness of European companies by creating a strong internal market. The workshop will also discuss the question whether only a united Europe can be a worthy counterparty in the global community. While some nations will be able to stand on their ownin the future, others might not be able to compete on a global scale.
This workshop will analyze the immense difficulties member states are confronted with when attempting a harmonization with the markets of other nations. Antitrust laws and intellectual property law require a harmonization of national law in order to create a cohesive system of statutes. The financial crisis has shown the importance of keeping trade restrictions to a minimum. A stable economic area must balance flexibility and established policies. This will also be topic of the workshop.
Workshop 2: The Problem of the EU enlargement (using the examples of Turkey and Croatia)
The second workshop will discuss the problem of the EU enlargement. In 2004, ten nations joined the Union. The EU is now confronted with an imminent incapacity to act. There is a conflict between the member states’ interest in a proportional representation and the need for effectiveness necessary for an assertion of the EU in the globalized world.
The possible joining of Turkey is core area of the workshop. In this context the question of Europe‘s geographical and cultural borders arises. The importance of a common cultural background to the participants of the conference will be discussed.
Using the example of Croatia, the procedure of negotiations on a possible accession will be expounded. Only the withdrawal of Slovenia’s veto rendered a continuation of negotiations possible. This constellation proves the high complexity of the matter.
Therefore, the advantages and disadvantages of the European enlargement policy will be analyzed and its legal consequences for the member states considered. At the time of its foundation, the Unions purpose was to overcome the Iron Curtain. With the disbandment of the Soviet Union, this purpose was achieved. Taking into account the lack of interest in the EU displayed by the citizens of many member states, even a downsizing of the EU might be in order.
Workshop 3: Democratic Legitimation of the EU
This workshop deals with the democratic legitimation of the EU. With regard to the increase in legislative authority vested in the EU, problems arise regarding basic principles of democracy. A problematic issue is the possibly deficient influence of the European Parliament on the legislative process of the Union. With regard to this, the innovations of the Lisbon Treaty will be addressed. The Parliament’s increased participation (by means of co-determination of the budget) and the continuing strong role of the Council of Ministers lead to doubts concerning the constitutionality of the decision-making bodies. Furthermore, the seats of Parliament are distributed by degressive proportionality, which also results in discontent. The question arises, how a fair and legally acceptable representation of EU citizens can be established.
Another problem is the extremely low voter participation. In 2009, only 43.1 % of the EU citizens took part in the votes for the EU Parliament, which leads to challenges regarding the democratic legitimation. This demonstrates the citizens‘ EU fatigue as well as a potential structural deficiency of the EU. A united Europe cannot be realized without the establishment of a unified public. At the same time, this displays another, more general question: should the political system of the European Union become even more federal or should the member states regain their sovereignty to a certain extent?
ELSA Deutschland
ELSA International