PRICE OF ALCOHOL IN EU MEMBER STATES – AFFORDABILITY OF ALCOHOLIC PRODUCTS AND ROLE OF EXCISE DUTIES

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Fanta ◽  
◽  
Radek Soběhart ◽  
Aleš Rod ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
European Commission ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Member States ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
The Past ◽  
Excise Duties

This research paper focuses on alcoholic beverages and their price affordability between 2000-2016 in the member states of the European Union. Based on the data from OECD, WHO, Eurostat, and the European Commission, the paper primarily discusses development of prices and consumption of alcoholic products, level of excise duties, and the development of average wages. Overall alcohol consumption has decreased in most EU member states over the past two decades, even though price affordability has increased due to relatively dynamic development of average wages. As consumption of alcohol products is decreasing, producers of alcoholic beverages are now pushed to increase the prices of alcoholic products to keep their level of revenues, which means that the price of alcohol is growing naturally. Those facts raise a question about the role of excise duties on alcohol, whether it is an effective tool for reducing alcohol consumption or just a fiscal tool, whose further increases might lead to market distortions.

European Union Rights and Values in Human Health

2019 ◽  
pp. 16-51
Author(s):  
Anniek de Ruijter
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
European Union ◽  
National Policy ◽  
Fundamental Rights ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Member States ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
Eu Fundamental Rights ◽  
The Eu

This book looks at the impact of the expanding power of the EU in terms of fundamental rights and values. The current chapter lays down the framework for this analysis. Law did not always have a central role to play in the context of medicine and health. The role of law grew after the Second Word War and the Nuremberg Doctors Trials (1947), in which preventing the repetition of atrocities that were committed in the name of medicine became a guidepost for future law regarding patients’ rights and bioethics. In the period after the War, across the EU Member States, health law developed as a legal discipline in which a balance was struck in medicine and public health between law, bioethics, and fundamental rights. The role of EU fundamental rights protections in the context of public health and health care developed in relation with the growth of multilevel governance and litigation (national, international, Council of Europe, and European Union). For the analysis here, this chapter develops an EU rights and values framework that goes beyond the strictly legal and allows for a ‘normative language’ that takes into consideration fundamental rights as an expression of important shared values in the context of the European Union. The perspective of EU fundamental rights and values can demonstrate possible tensions caused by EU health policy: implications in terms of fundamental rights can show how highly sensitive national policy issues may be affected by the Member States’ participation in EU policymaking activities.

scholarly journals Vectors of EU Common Agricultural Policy Reforms for the Period 2021-2027 with in the International Marketing Environment

2021 ◽  
pp. 180-187
Author(s):  
Nataliia SHYBAIEVA ◽  
Tetiana KVIATKO ◽  
Otabeg AZIZOV
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
European Commission ◽  
Agricultural Policy ◽  
Common Agricultural Policy ◽  
Market Price ◽  
State Regulation ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Member States ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
The Impact

The article identifies the impact of agricultural policy on the development of state regulation of the economies of European Union member states (EU). The main reason for the implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for EU member states has been identified. Some key reforms have been analyzed implemented within the integration association. It was found that the reform of CAP is due to the need to address market price uncertainty, respond to expanding access to the EU market by free trade agreements, use digital technologies to improve the accuracy and efficiency of CAP tools, accelerate their practical application, increase attention to environmental issues, environment, and climate change. The article also presents the main economic and social goals of the CAP, which are included in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. It is established that the institutional component of the CAP reform is reflected in the introduction of proposals into the legislative framework of the CAP for the period 2021-2027. The proposals of the European Commission were formulated in nine key objectives, which are considered in this article. Some tools, requirements for their use, and indicators for measuring progress towards the nine specific objectives of the CAP, which the European Commission has proposed to EU member states to achieve the defined goals are also analyzed. The CAP EU budget for 2014-2020 is considered and compared with the proposed budget for 2021-2027 (in constant 2018 prices).

scholarly journals The Role of the Court of Justice in Creating Standards for the Implementation of Cultural Rights

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 41-56
Author(s):  
Anna Kosińska
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Case Law ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Member States ◽  
Cultural Rights ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
Effective Implementation ◽  
Cultural Life ◽  
Court Of Justice

The present study seeks to answer the question whether the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union in cases concerning the exercise of broadly understood cultural policies may in reality affect the extent of implementation of cultural rights—that is, access to products of culture, participation in cultural life and freedom of artistic creativity—at the level of Member States. Cultural rights are traditionally regulated by the constitutions of EU Member States and are classified by legal scholars and commentators as second generation rights. Culture, in turn, according to primary legislation of the European Union, is only a supporting competence (Article 6 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union). However, a review of the Court’s case law demonstrates that CJEU’s judgments form standards that contribute to a more effective implementation of cultural rights guaranteed in the national law of the Member States and international agreements to which they are parties. This results from the nature of the Union’s law, which penetrates a national system and thanks to the principle of direct effect and supremacy truly affects the situation of EU citizens.

Can the European Union Force its Member States to Introduce the Euro?

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus D.W. Stoffels
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Exchange Rate ◽  
Convergence Criterion ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Member States ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Exchange Rate ◽  
New Eu Member States ◽  
The Eu

In this study, the author addresses the intriguing, topical but little-studied question of whether the (old and new) EU Member States should, upon accession to the EU, be obliged to introduce the euro. To begin with, he examines—while deliberately ignoring the problematic exchange rate convergence criterion—whether introducing the euro should in principle be obligatory. After having answered this question in the affirmative, he takes a closer look at the exchange rate convergence criterion. He concludes that a country’s formal participation in the ERM II is a necessary but insufficient requirement for that country to meet the exchange rate convergence criterion. However, since ERM II membership is, for its part, voluntary, this also makes a country’s decision to introduce the euro completely voluntary. Accordingly, a Member State like Sweden is entitled to simply circumvent introducing the euro by simply refraining from participating in the ERM II. The author continuously refers to how different groups of Member States have been treated in the past with regard to them introducing the euro.

scholarly journals THE ROLE OF SOFT LAW IN THE CONVERGENCE OF PENSION POLICIES OF EU MEMBER STATES

2017 ◽  
pp. 201
Author(s):  
Milena Nikolić
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Union Member ◽  
Soft Law ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Member States ◽  
Pension Systems ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
Great Heterogeneity ◽  
European Union Member States

The failure of the European Union to harmonize the pension policies of its Member States and tighten the policy of budget deficit and public debt control have intensified the efforts to find a new way to regulate this area. Instead of harmonizing the Member States’ pension policies, the European Union has decided to take action aimed at their convergence. Given that the great heterogeneity of the Member States’ pension systems and policies made the implementation of the hard law infeasible, soft law has been implemented for regulating this area. The aim of this paper is to determine the effect of soft law regulation on the convergence of pension policies of the European Union Member States and assess its impact on the achievement of common defined objectives: sustainability and adequacy of pension systems, as well as modernization of pension systems.

scholarly journals La transposición de la Directiva de Procedimientos de Asilo y la efectividad coercitiva de las decisiones de infracción de la Comisión Europea

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 257
Author(s):  
Borja Fernández Burgueño
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
European Commission ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Eu Law ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Member States ◽  
Community Law ◽  
Made In

En este trabajo se estudia el nivel de transposición de la Directiva de Procedimientos de Asilo, centrándose en el papel de la Comisión Europea como órgano supervisor de la implantación del Derecho de la Unión Europea (UE) en los Estados Miembros. En concreto, se analizará el estado de tramitación de los procedimientos de infracción a los Estados miembros incoados por la Comisión Europea por incumplir con sus obligaciones de transposición, llegando a las siguientes conclusiones: (i) los progresos en los procedimientos de infracción han sido mínimos y muchos de ellos han quedado congelados en fases intermedias; (ii) la inactividad de la Comisión Europea equivale de facto a un consentimiento implícito para que los Estados infractores continúen con sus prácticas contrarias al derecho de la UE; y (iii) resulta necesario un papel más activo de la Comisión Europea. This paper studies the record on transposition of the Asylum Procedures Directive, focusing on the role of the European Commission as the monitoring body of the implementation of the European Union (EU) Law among Member States. In particular, it will be analysed the current status of the infringement proceedings brought by the Commission to State Members for failing to comply with their transposition obligations, finding that: (i) the progress made in the infringement proceedings has been marginal and many proceedings have been put on ice at intermediate stages; (ii) the Commission’s inactivity amount to an implied consent for the infringing Member States to continue with their practices contrary to Community law; and (iii) a more active role of the European Commission is needed.

scholarly journals European Union Communicable Disease Network Committee issues document on immediate actions for surveillance and control of SARS in Europe - 15 April

2003 ◽  
Vol 7 (15) ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
European Commission ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Communicable Disease ◽  
Present Situation ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Disease Network ◽  
Member States ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
And Control

The Committee of the European Union Network for the Surveillance and Control of Communicable Diseases met on 9 and 10 April 2003 and agreed the following actions for European Union (EU) member states and the European Commission for the surveillance and control of SARS in Europe. These actions are based on the present situation and current knowledge, and are liable to change. The statement does not preclude the possibility that member states may take additional measures.

scholarly journals Homogenisation in alcohol consumption in the European Union

2001 ◽  
Vol 18 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 15-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Håkan Leifman
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Drastic Reduction ◽  
Total Consumption ◽  
Member States ◽  
Wine Consumption ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
Politics And Culture ◽  
The Eu

Håkan Leifman: Homogenisation in alcohol consumption in the European Union This article examines the trends in aggregate alcohol consumption in 15 European countries (14 European Union or EU member states and Norway) from 1950 to 1995. One of the aims is to outline the general trends in total consumption and beverage preferences, focusing on the dispersion over time between all the countries involved, another to look more closely behind these trends and to analyse the development for different groups of countries. Evidence points to a clear homogenisation for the whole study period in qualitative terms, that is, in beverage preferences. In terms of quantity, the homogenisation of the last 15–20 years is less distinct and can be explained mainly by a drastic reduction in wine consumption in the Mediterranean wine-drinking countries. As to the remaining countries (beer and former spirits-drinking countries), there has not been any quantitative homogenisation from the mid-1970s onwards. The results are discussed in the light of the on-going globalisation of economy, politics and culture, not least between the EU member states.

scholarly journals Perceptions of EU mediation and mediation effectiveness: Comparing perspectives from Ukraine and the EU

2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 506-523 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Chaban ◽  
Ole Elgström ◽  
Michèle Knodt
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Member States ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
Mediation Effectiveness ◽  
The Eu

A small but growing literature has started to analyse the European Union (EU) ‘as an effective peacemaker’. We make a contribution to this field by investigating EU mediation effectiveness in the Russia–Ukraine conflict. The focus is on perceptions of effectiveness. Based on information from semi-structured interviews, we compare EU self-images with Ukrainian evaluations of EU mediation efforts. How effective is the EU, including its Member States, deemed to be? What factors are believed to lie behind perceived (in)effectiveness? We concentrate on four such factors, derived from the mediator literature: perceived (im)partiality, coherence and credibility and, finally, evaluations of the EU’s mediation strategies. Both internal and external views singled out EU member states as the most effective actors in current mediation. The role of EU was seen in ambivalent terms by both sides. All the four determinants of mediation effectiveness are discussed in our material, but differ considerably in the degree of attention given to each of them. While (im)partiality is not a factor that is linked to effectiveness in any straightforward way, EU incoherence is associated with inconsistent and weak policies, notably in the Ukraine material.

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION AS THE GUARDIAN OF THE TREATIES

2021 ◽  
Vol 66 (05) ◽  
pp. 160-163
Author(s):  
Sevil Aliheydar Damirli ◽  
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Member State ◽  
European Commission ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Member States ◽  
Community Law ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
The Guardian ◽  
Eu Commission ◽  
The Eu

As in any community, coexistence and cooperation only works if it is well organized. In the EU, there are EU bodies for this purpose. We all know that living together of different members can often lead to a dispute. In the European Union, the subject of dispute can not only be the violation of primary law, but also the violation of secondary community law. In order to better understand the important role of the Commission in the EU, we examine in this paper its composition and Tasks. We know that the European Union is based on the rule of law. This means that every EU activity is based on treaties that have been accepted by all EU Member States on a voluntary and democratic basis. A contract is a binding agreement between the EU member states. It sets out the objectives of the EU, the rules governing the EU institutions, the decision-making process and relations between the EU and its Member States. Therefore it is important to adhere to these treaties to carry out community policy. According to Art. 258 and 259 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, actions for breach of contract can be filed against a Member State by the EU Commission or another Member State (1, Art.258-259). For the European Commission, as the «Guardian of the Treaties», this option is a particularly important instrument of power politics that it can use against member states' governments that do not recognize or do not comply with the norms of Community law. In practice, the infringement procedures requested by the Commission are of particular importance for ensuring compliance with Community law by the Member States. In no other area does the Commission have so much power and independence against the Member States. Now we should take a closer look at the EU institution and especially the EU Commission.

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