Renegotiation by the United Kingdom of its Constitutional Relationship with the European Union: Issues Related to Sovereignty

Author (Corporate)
Publisher
Series Title
Series Details April 2016
Publication Date April 2016
ISBN 978-92-823-9088-7
Content Type

A key point of the United Kingdom’s renegotiation agreement with the European Union in February 2016 was sovereignty. Historically, the British have been particularly sensitive about this issue. Following the demands of Prime Minister Cameron, five different issues have been tackled:

+ ever closer union
+ subsidiarity
+ the role of the national parliaments
+ the British opt-out on matters relating to the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice
+ the issue of national security.

They all have different scope and consequences that are analysed in detail.

See also:
There are further related Studies published in 2016 in connection with renegotiation by the United Kingdom of its Constitutional Relationship with the European Union

+ Renegotiation by the United Kingdom of its Constitutional Relationship with the European Union: Issues Related to Competitiveness and Better Law-Making

The competitiveness element of the renegotiations with the UK was one of the less controversial parts. The aim was to enable the EU to hold its own in an increasingly competitive world, to increase productivity and to promote employment. That should be attractive to business, to citizens and the Member States. Striking the balance between a regulatory framework which is favourable to business and one which protects other societal interests may be more problematic. All should agree though that a good regulatory framework is vital.

+ Renegotiation by the United Kingdom of its Constitutional Relationship with the European Union: Issues Related to the Economic Governance

The ‘deal’ concerning a new settlement for the United Kingdom within the European Union covers questions relating to the Economic Governance of the EU and of the Euro area. Whilst the ‘deal’ was negotiated with a view to the United Kingdom, the provision in the respective documents of the ‘deal’ address ‘non euro area Member States’. By that, the ‘deal’ on the new settlement has consequences that go beyond the membership of the UK in the EU. As an international agreement, the core document of the ‘deal’, a decision of the Heads of State or Government, exclusively binds Member States but no Union institutions. It, furthermore, must be in compliance with existing EU Primary and secondary law. Otherwise the decision is within the scope of application of EU law inapplicable. This sets the playing field, within which the ‘new settlement’ affects the existing Economic Governance of the EU and the Euro area.

Source Link http://dx.publications.europa.eu/10.2861/099941
Related Links
European Parliament: Directorate-General for Internal Policies of the Union: Publications available via the EU Bookshop http://bookshop.europa.eu/en/directorate-general-for-internal-policies-of-the-union-cbf.cKABstF7wAAAEjwYYY4e5K/
ESO: Background information: European Council, Brussels 18-19 February 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/european-council-brussels-18-19-february-2016/
ESO: Background information: Don’t forget the deal: How Cameron’s UK-EU settlement could herald a more flexible EU http://www.europeansources.info/record/dont-forget-the-deal-how-camerons-uk-eu-settlement-could-herald-a-more-flexible-eu/
ESO: Background information: A new settlement for the United Kingdom in the EU http://www.europeansources.info/record/european-council-brussels-18-19-february-2016-a-new-settlement-for-the-united-kingdom-in-the-eu/
European Parliament: European Parliamentary Research Service: Study, April 2016: Renegotiation by the United Kingdom of its Constitutional Relationship with the European Union: Issues Related to Sovereignty http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2016/556938/IPOL_STU(2016)556938_EN.pdf
European Parliament: European Parliamentary Research Service: Study, April 2016: Renegotiation by the United Kingdom of its Constitutional Relationship with the European Union: Issues Related to the Economic Governance http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2016/556959/IPOL_STU(2016)556959_EN.pdf
European Parliament: European Parliamentary Research Service: Study, April 2016: Renegotiation by the United Kingdom of its Constitutional Relationship with the European Union: Issues Related to Competitiveness and Better Law-Making http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2016/556939/IPOL_STU(2016)556939_EN.pdf

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