Synopses & Reviews
The European Commission is a detailed and comprehensive guide to the workings of the European Union's executive branch, known as the European Commission. This straightforward and accessible new title demystifies procedures, practices, and policies which, up until now, have been perceived by many as baffling and oblique. Written in a style that is both uncomplicated and user-friendly, the authors equip readers with all the information about the background of the Commission, its administrative structure, its policies, external relations, and general and internal services. Packed with numerous tables and figures, The European Commission will help readers gain a full understanding of how the machinery of the Commission functions and how the daily work processes are carries out. This is both an essential and fascinating handbook for all those working in the political arena.
Synopsis
Some view the European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union, as one of the most innovative administrative bodies in the world, while others see it as a bureaucratic giant. This book does away with these superficial and simplified ideas. It shows how the Commission acts with other players as part of a balanced system of decision-making. Straightforward and accessible, it de-mystifies procedures, practices, and policies which, up until now, have been perceived by many as baffling and oblique.
Synopsis
Some view the European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union, as one of the most innovative administrative bodies in the world, while others see it as a bureaucratic giant. This book does away with these superficial and simplified ideas. It shows how the Commission acts with other players as part of a balanced system of decision-making. Straightforward and accessible, it de-mystifies procedures, practices, and policies which, up until now, have been perceived by many as baffling and oblique.
About the Author
Dr. Gerhard Sabathil is Director of the Representation of the European Commission to Germany, in Berlin.
Dr. Klemens Joos is Managing Director of the company EUTOP Group GmbH, specializing in the structural representation of the interests of private businesses and organisations vis-�-vis political and administrative decision-makers.
Bernd Kessler is Managing Director of the company EUTOP Berlin GmbH and Chairman of EUTOP Bruxelles S.A. Table of Contents
List of Tables
Editors Foreword
Chapter 1 The Commission and the other institutions and organs of the European Union
Introduction: The tasks of the European Union
'The institutional triangle'
The European Commission
The European Parliament
The European Court of Justice
The European Court of Auditors
Financial institutes
Advisory bodies
Miscellaneous
Autonomous institutions and agencies
Comitology
Chapter 2 The 25 Commissioners: The political college
The collegial organ of the 25 Commission Members
Distribution of tasks among Commission Members (2429)
Decision-making by the Commission Members
The Cabinets
Chapter 3 Directorates-General and services: The administrative structure of the Commission
The European Commission as an authority
Officials and employees of the European Commission
Chapter 4 The policies
Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities D-GEMPL
Education and Culture D-G EAC
Internal Market and Services D-G MARKT
Fisheries and Maritime Affairs D-G FISH
Research D-G RTD
Health and Consumer Protection D-G SANCO
Information Society and Media D-G INFSO
Justice, Freedom and Security D-G JLS
Agriculture and Rural Development D-G AGRI
Regional Policy D-G REGIO
Taxation and Customs Union D-G TAXUD
Environment D-G ENV
Enterprise and Industry D-G ENTR
Transport and Energy D-G TREN
Competition D-G COMP
Economic and Financial Affairs D-G ECFIN
BuD-Get D-G BUD-G
Communications D-G COMM
Chapter 5 External relations
Humanitarian Aid Office ECHO
External Relations D-G RELEX
Development D-G DEV
Enlargement D-G ENLARG
EuropeAid Co-operation Office AIDCO
Trade D-G TRADE
Chapter 6 General services
Secretariat-General S-G
Legal Service SJ
Official Publications Office OPOCE
European Anti-Fraud Office OLAF
European Recruitment Office EPSO
Eurostat ESTAT
Chapter 7 Internal services
Office for Administration and Payment of Individual Entitlements PMO
Infrastructures and Logistics Office, Brussels OIB
Infrastructures and Logistics Office, Luxembourg OIL
Data Processing D-G DIGIT
Joint Interpreting and Conferencing Service D-G SCIC
Internal Audit Service IAS
Personnel and Administration D-G ADMIN
Bureau of European Policy Advisers BEPA
Translation D-G DGT
Chapter 8 Important addresses and phone numbers
The European Commission
Other EU institutions and facilities
Political representatives
Contact points in the national ministries
Contact points in the state ministries
Representations of the German Economic and Social Partners in Brussels
Representations of the Austrian Economic and Social Partners in Brussels
European trade associations
List of sources
Abbreviations
Index
Author biographies