Treaty on European Union
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The Treaty on European Union (2007) is one of the primary
History
While the current version of the TEU entered into force in 2009, following the Treaty of Lisbon (2007), the older form of the same document was implemented by the Maastricht Treaty (1992).
Provisions
After the preamble the consolidated treaty text is divided into six parts.[1]
Title I: Common Provisions
The first deals with common provisions. Article 1 establishes the European Union, formally replacing the European Community, declares a "process of creating an ever closer union among the peoples of Europe", and lays out the legal value of the treaties.
Article 2 states that the EU is "founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities". The member states share a "society in which pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality between women and men prevail".
Article 3 then states the aims of the EU in six points. The first is simply to promote peace, European values and its citizens' well-being. The second relates to
Article 4 relates to member states' sovereignty and obligations. Article 5 sets out the principles of conferral, subsidiarity and proportionality with respect to the limits of its powers. Article 6 binds the EU to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and the European Convention on Human Rights. Article 7 deals with the suspension of a member state and article 8 deals with establishing close relations with neighbouring states.
Title II: Provisions on democratic principles
Article 9 establishes the equality of national citizens and
Title III: Provisions on the institutions
Article 13 establishes the
Article 14 deals with the workings of Parliament and its election, article 15 with the European Council and its president, article 16 with the Council and its configurations and article 17 with the Commission and its appointment. Article 18 establishes the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and article 19 establishes the Court of Justice.
Title IV: Provisions on enhanced co-operation
Title 4 has only one article which allows a limited number of member states to co-operate within the EU if others are blocking integration in that field.
Title V: General provisions on the Union's external action
Chapter 1 of this title includes articles 21 and 22. Article 21 deals with the principles that outline EU foreign policy; including compliance with the
Chapter 2 is further divided into sections. The first, common provisions, details the guidelines and functioning of the EU's foreign policy, including establishment of the European External Action Service and member state's responsibilities. Section 2, articles 42 to 46, deal with military co-operation (including mutual defence).
On 17 November 2015, France called other member states for military assistance, on the basis of the Article 42.[2] This was the first time the article had ever been applied and all of the member states were reported to respond in agreement.[2] However at least one member state (Finland) made a conclusion that due to conflicting national law, military assistance was excluded.[3]
Title VI: Final provisions
Article 47 establishes a