...Caribbean Dialogue July/August 1994 The Importance of Negotiation Preparedness: Reflections on the Caribbean Experience _________________________ Alister McIntyre Over the past three decades, the CARICOM countries have both individually, and as a group, accumulated considerable experience in regional and international negotiations. Within the region, the development of CARICOM and related institutions and arrangements have taken up a considerable amount of time of governments. Associated with that have been trade and economic agreements with major trading partners – European Union (EU), Canada and, more recently, the United States. Governments have also been involved in almost unending negotiations with the international financial institutions over their stabilisation and adjustment programmes. At different periods substantial attention has also been paid to global negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations and its specialized agencies, such as GATT. Furthermore, some governments have been intensely involved in negotiations with international companies in the fields such as natural resources telecommunications. It is not possible in a single presentation to distill and synthesise this wide variety of experiences into a set of reflections. What I shall do is to concentrate on the governmental trade and economic negotiations with overseas countries and groups of countries, partly because we are on the threshold of new negotiations for entry in to NAFTA, and...
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................................................................................. 4 What is this Guide About? ........................................................................... 4 What does Importation mean? ..................................................................... 4 Why would I come into contact with Revenue? ........................................... 4 What goods are Prohibited or Restricted? ................................................... 4 Overview of Importing ............................................................................ 5 Pre-Arrival of the goods in the EU ............................................................... 5 Arrival of the goods in the EU ...................................................................... 5 Where can the goods be brought to?........................................................... 5 What places are approved? ......................................................................... 5 Goods arriving through another Member State ............................................ 5 What must I do when the goods arrive? ...................................................... 5 Can I use an agent to work on my behalf? .................................................. 6 How are Customs Duties set? ..................................................................... 6 2. 3. Declaring Goods for Customs purposes ................................................. 7 How do I declare my goods to Revenue? ..........
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...How much influence does the EU parliament have in the EU appointments and policy making? The EU parliament has influence over EU appointments both in their democratic supervision, and also in their supervising the budget. Furthermore, they also have a great deal of control over policy making, with the ability to pass EU law. The EU parliament has a great deal of power in its ability to pass EU Law. In some areas such as protecting the environment, the EU parliament works with the council to decide on the content of the laws, then it is the parliament’s duty to pass them. As they can influence both what the laws contain and which ones are passed, this makes them highly influential in law making. Furthermore, since the passing of the Lisbon treaty, this power has been increased giving parliament more influence in a greater number of areas including agriculture and immigration. Alternatively, the EU parliament can be seen to be influential in the EU appointing. For example, when a new commission is appointed, none of the 28 ministers can take any power until approved by parliament. This makes them highly influential as they can work with the council, control the commission and have final say on what is actually passed by Law. Furthermore, the Parliament can also pass a “Motion of censure” which forces all the EU commission to resign. This makes them highly influential over the appointments in the EU commission. Finally, the EU parliament has control over what is discussed...
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...History of the Treaty of Constitution for Europe – TCE: The establishment of a Treaty of Constitution for Europe (TCE) was a treaty attempting to create a solid constitution for the European Union that was unratified. The ideia was replace the current European Union treaties with a Constitution text, with legal force to the Charter of Fundamental Rights and expand Qualified Majority Voting into policy areas. The Treaty was actually signed on October 2004 by representatives of 25 member states and was later ratified by 18 member states. Spain and Luxembourg made referendums that approved the measure. As a consequence of the rejection of the project by France and Netherlands referendums the ratification process was ended. The Lisbon Treaty, that entered into force on 2009, replaced the Constitutional Treaty after some period. A lot of changes that were in the Constitutional text were add in the existing treaties as amendments. Inicial steps: The new debates on the future of Europe bagan at the Laeken European Council 2001, when former French President proposed to draft a Constitution. A European Convention was founded, chaired by the same former French President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing and composed of two Members of Parliament (generally one from the governing majority and one from the opposition) of each Member State, 16 MEPs, 2 members of the European Commission and a representative from each government. Then, the President of the European Commission backed...
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...about the practice. They argued that the use of hormone supplements was unnatural and that the health consequences of consuming hormone-treated meat were unknown but might include hormonal irregularities and cancer. The European Union responded to these concerns in 1989 by banning the use of growthpromoting hormones in the production of livestock and the importation of hormone-treated meat. The ban was controversial because a reasonable consensus existed among scientists that the hormones posed no health risk. Although the EU banned hormone-treated meat, many other countries did not, including big meat-producing countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States. The use of hormones soon became widespread in these countries. According to trade officials outside the EU, the European ban constituted an unfair restraint on trade. As a result of this ban, exports of meat to the EU fell. For example, U.S. red meat exports to the EU declined from $231 million in 1988 to $98 million in 1994. The complaints of meat exporters were bolstered in 1995 when Codex Alimentarius, the international food standards body of the UN’s Food and...
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...regional economic integration? Given these arguments, why don’t we see more substantial examples of integration in the world economy? The economic argument for regional integration is mostly positive. It’s based on the presence of extra gains from the free flow of trade and investment between the countries involved in the agreement. The political argument is that it is mainly based on geography. The participating countries have to be neighboring countries, and many neighboring countries have border disputes lessing the possibilities for regional integration. 3. What in general was the effect of the creation of a single market and a single currency within the EU on competition within the EU? Why? One effect the single market and single currency on competition within the EU is an increase in competition between companies from the EU countries. As trade barriers are eliminated, it makes it easier for companies to get involved in...
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... 1957, The same six countries sign the Treaties of Rome, creating the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM). They begin removing trade barriers between them and move towards creating a ‘common market’. In 1967, The institutions of the EEC, ECSC and EURATOM are merged to form a single set of institutions: the European Commission, European Council and European Parliament (with members selected initially by national Parliaments). In 1973, Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom join the European Community. The first direct elections to the European Parliament take place in 1979, with voters in each EU Member State electing the members. In 1981, Greece joins the European Community (EC). 5 years later in 1986 Portugal and Spain join the European Community. The Single European Act is signed by EU governments, providing for the creation of a single market in which people, goods, capital and services can move freely around the EC. The Treaty of Maastricht is signed in 1992, creating the European Union and introducing new forms of cooperation between Member State governments; for example, on defense and justice and home...
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...The Nation-State, Foreign Policy, and Transnational Entities - SST Task 1 Elizabeth A. Lilley Western Governors University The Nation-State, Foreign Policy, and Transnational Entities A modern nation-state is characterized by being a fixed territory, having sovereignty, meaning having authority over its territory or its geographical area, and having a common culture. The definition of a Nation is "A culture group residing within the territory of a political state." (Perry, 2009) I selected Scotland, and the reason why is because they are a country that is part of the United Kingdon, which holds sovereignty over Scotland. The Queen of England is the head of state. Scotland was an sovereign state until 1707 when they came under the control of the United Kingdom. Scotland does however have a limited self-government within the United Kingdom and is also represented in the United Kingdom Parliament. The United Kingdom Parliament has power over Scotland's taxes, social security, defense, broadcasting, and international relations. Where as the Scottish Parliament has legislative pwer of all other areas for Scotland. (Scotland, n.a.) A State is, "the abstract embodiment, or the symbol, of the political institution." (Perry, 2009) I select the United Kingdom and the reason is the United Kingdom, also called the UK, and has sovereignty over England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The Queen of England is the chief of state, and...
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...INTRODUCTION The EU is one of the most unusual and widest-ranging political actors in the international system and has gradually expanded to encompass foreign policy initiatives towards nearly every corner of the globe, using a full range of foreign policy tools: diplomatic, economic, and now limited military operations related to peacekeeping and peace enforcement. Foreign policy of the European Union has a history of about two decades during which the EU has managed to overcome the characterization of “political dwarf” and became one of the key centers of global politics. In this dynamic world where everything is changing so fast, the development of foreign policy of the European Union acquires excessive actuality. While talking about the EU, it is necessary to mention the fact that in the relations between different countries the it always tends to be in the dominant position and is trying to be one of the global political actors. That is why this topic is very actual. I am focusing on my paper from the analytical point of view. My research paper consists of three parts. The first part is dedicated to the formation of the EU. I’ll speak about the enlargement processes, especially the fifth enlargement identifying its positive and negative aspects. In the second part the main stress is placed on the development of the EU. Here is going to be examined the candidate countries, Turkey’s integration perspectives. The third part...
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... Eg. By the courts, church, monarchy etc. • Parliament can’t limit the law making power of any future parliament, therefore parliament cannot pass a permanent law (entrench the law) Britain joined the EU on the 1st January 1973. Parliament is no longer the supreme law maker because EU law will prevail if there is a conflict between the EU and parliament. A recent challenge to the powers of the EU came in the case of Ex Parte Factortame 1991. This concerned the rights of Spanish fishermen to fish in British waters. Spain argued that the Merchant Shipping Act 1988 was against EU law and that the law should be suspended pending trial. English courts refused because they couldn’t suspend an act of parliament. The European court of justice said that the act should be suspended and gave courts the right to limit parliamentary sovereignty in some circumstances. Parliament has to pass laws to comply with EU law. Eg. About a third of legislation is made to implement EU law. Sovereignty has been limited but we can avoid surrendering it by withdrawing from the EU through legislation because membership cannot be entrenched in law. The effect of the Human Rights Act: The Human Rights Act incorporated the EU convention on human rights into UK law in 1998. All legislation must comply with human rights, eg. Before the second reading, the government minister has to declare whether the bill is compatible with the Human Rights Act. There have been...
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...disadvantage the SADC block. South Africa is the current chair of SADC and its leadership role is critical. The country is also the gateway to foreign direct investment to the developing world. This paper seeks to discuss the critical position which South Africa finds itself in. The challenge to provide leadership at regional and global level has also been compounded by the domestic outcry for a need to deal with issues at home. South Africa holds the key for the success of SADC both at economic and political levels. However SADC’s dependence on South Africa may turn out to be a stumbling block since there is divided attention. This has been shown by South Africa’s ‘go it alone’ approach when it comes to negotiating trade agreements, e.g. with the EU, as well as its unwillingness to compromise on the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) that the other SADC Members States are signing. What is obvious is that SADC needs South Africa but at the same time South Africa is at liberty to choose when to drive the SADC agenda. This problem has to be delicately addressed if SADC is seriously seeking success on the regional integration front. 1. Introduction Since attaining a democratic State, South Africa has regarded Southern Africa as one of the most important priority of its foreign relations. This is shown by...
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...parliament and the welsh assembly) these are responsible for managing Scotland and Wales idiosyncratically, the Scottish parliament has the power to produce laws and bills without the need of the UK parliament agreeing, the Welsh on the other hand do not have such powers. Finally there are the local authorities these are made up of County councils, District Councils, Parish Councils etc these do things within certain areas or constituencies throughout the UK. The European parliament also plays a big role in the running and decision making of the UK parliament, Established in 1952, the EP is based in Brussels and Strasbourg, it has also been known to assemble in Luxembourg also, it has 751 members and is run by Martin Schulz, it influences EU laws within the UK and decides international agreements. P2 Each department of the government is important in its own rights, there are too many departments to name here but the main three that support the public services would be: The Ministry of Defence (MoD): The MoD’s main priority is implementing the defence policy set by the government and of course the monarch, they are in charge of the defence of the UK and the MP in charge of this department is Michael Fallon and their annual budget is 38 billion pounds. The public services that are involved with the MoD are the Army, Navy and Air Force, they decide what each of these services do and where in the world they go. The Home Office: The home office is responsible for UK...
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... | | |(position, name, surname) | |E-mail address |Leave blank | | |Phone number |Leave blank | | Position Nr.__________ REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL ______________________________________ (title of the EU legislation proposal (in English)) | Reference to the EU document |COM(2010) 524 final | |1. Summary of the EU Legislation Proposal | |The global economic and financial crisis has exposed and amplified the need for greater co-ordination and enhanced surveillance of | |economic policies in the economic and monetary...
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...------------------------------------------------- EU Treaties The European Union is based on the rule of law. This means that every action taken by the EU is founded on treaties that have been approved voluntarily and democratically by all EU member countries. For example, if a policy area is not cited in a treaty, the Commission cannot propose a law in that area. A treaty is a binding agreement between EU member countries. It sets out EU objectives, rules for EU institutions, how decisions are made and the relationship between the EU and its member countries. Treaties are amended to make the EU more efficient and transparent, to prepare for new member countries and to introduce new areas of cooperation – such as the single currency. Under the treaties, EU institutions can adopt legislation, which the member countries then implement. The complete texts of treaties, legislation, case law and legislative proposals can be viewed using the EUR-Lex database of EU law. The main treaties are: Treaty of Lisbon (2009) Purpose: to make the EU more democratic, more efficient and better able to address global problems, such as climate change, with one voice. Main changes: more power for the European Parliament, change of voting procedures in the Council, citizens' initiative, a permanent president of the European Council, a new High Representative for Foreign Affairs, a new EU diplomatic service. The Lisbon treaty clarifies which powers: * belong to the EU * belong to EU member countries * are...
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...the PESTEL (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental and Legal) framework is carried out below: Political: The automotive industry has always received political support on account of several factors such as employment potential, export earnings and membership of the European Union. The Government has signed free trade deals with Singapore and also benefits from the EU-South Korea trade agreement. The UK is increasing exports to emerging economies in order to boost exports. This has attracted new foreign investment to the tune of GBP 6 billion from BMW, Jaguar Land Rover, Nissan, Ford and others. UK-manufactured cars sold within the EU are exempt from customs tariffs and are therefore cheaper. Economic: The UK is now the second largest car producer in the world after Germany. It exports 25 per cent of the cars it manufactures and provides 730,000 jobs. In terms of value, automobile exports stand at a staggering GBP 27 billion, helping to reduce Britain’s large trade deficit and constitute 11 per cent of all manufacturing exports. 51 per cent of the automobile exports are to EU countries on account of absence of trade barriers. The UK is also making efforts to establish a presence in emerging markets like China and India. The presence of a vibrant car components and engine parts industry supports car manufacturers in logistics by enabling faster...
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