Research Briefing
If Scotland became independent, would it automatically remain a member of the European Union (EU) – or would it have to go through the whole accession process for new Member States, either alone or alongside the rest of the UK?
Research Briefing
Although Switzerland is not a member of the EU, it has chosen to cooperate with the EU in a number of areas of specific interest.
Research Briefing
The Lisbon Treaty allows EU Member States to leave the European Union. However, the process, as yet untested, would in all likelihood not be straightforward and would involve negotiating a new relationship for the UK with the EU.
Research Briefing
The creation of the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice is based on the Tampere (1999-04), Hague (2004-09) and Stockholm (2010-14) programmes. It derives from the pre-Lisbon Title IV TEC (Visas, asylum, immigration and other policies related to free movement of persons) and Title VI TEU (Provisions on police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters) and is now Title V of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the “Area of freedom, security and justice” (AFSJ). The AFSJ therefore comprises policies relating to border controls, asylum and immigration; judicial cooperation in civil matters; judicial cooperation in criminal matters and police cooperation.
Research Briefing
At Turkey’s general elections on 12 June 2011, the governing Justice and Development Party (AK Party) won nearly 50% of the overall vote. This was the first time that a ruling party in Turkey has increased its vote in a third term. In the medium term its biggest challenges will be drafting a new constitution, stabilising the economy, and negotiating changing regional relationships, but in the short term it needs to diffuse a crisis over MPs boycotting parliament.
Research Briefing
This Note looks at Lords amendments to the European Union Bill 2010-11 covering Committee and Report stages, and Third Reading.
Research Briefing
Denmark has invoked Declaration No. 25 TEU in support of the whaling activities of its territories, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Denmark’s reliance on this Declaration at the International Whaling Commission (IWC) has prevented the EU from presenting a more united stand on whaling issues at the IWC.
Research Briefing
In May 2011 the United Nations General Assembly voted in favour of Resolution A/RES/65/276, which granted the EU the right to speak at the United Nations. This Note looks at the background to the vote and the issues involved.
Research Briefing
The EFSM is a €60bn facility to provide loans to EU Member States in financial difficulty. It is financed through borrowing secured against the EU Budget. Thus far, Ireland and Portugal have received support through the EFSM.
Research Briefing
This Note looks the European Commission's "Strategy for the effective implementation of the Charter of Fundamental Rights". It also considers government and parliament views of the Charter.
Research Briefing
In July 2010 the International Court of Justice (ICJ) found that Kosovo's declaration of independence on 17 February 2008 did not breach international law. The legal scope of the Opinion is extremely narrow, but its political implications could be very wide.
Research Briefing
This Note looks at the term "Acquis Communautaire", what it means and how the European Court of Justice has interpreted it.
Research Briefing
The Government aims to change the way in which EU law is transposed into national law in order to avoid 'gold-plating' and to minimise the burden of over-regulation on UK businesses. This Note looks at the main elements of the Government's principles for the implementation of EU law.
Research Briefing
This Note looks at the background to and issues surrounding EU accession to the European Convention, UK Government views and Parliamentary scrutiny of the draft Council decision on the negotiation of an EU accession agreement.
Research Briefing
This Note looks at amendments adopted in the Committee of the Whole House concerning the European Union Bill 2010-11.
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