IRELAND IN EU

EU/member state policy process for a selected policy

EU/member state policy process for a selected policy

Briefing Note - Assignment 1

Introduction to the Common Commercial/Trade Policy

Common commercial policy defines the relation of member states with non-member states in the context of international trade. It outlines the code of conduct whereby each country follows certain rules that include regulations of tariffs and other trade barriers. An example of the common commercial policy is the European Union. Countries, as part of an economic union, typically have a single policy, as is the case of EU which obligates them to follow a structured and organized manner while importing or exporting goods to the other countries. Common trade policy is one of the reasons of the formation of World Trade Organization.

European Union Policy Process for Common Commercial Policy

The main concept behind the policies of EU regarding the common commercial policy is to create sustainable development and promote world integration by engaging more countries into international trade (Craig, Grainne De Burca, 2007, 15). Through the common trade policy, EU aims to eliminate the hurdles to international trade and the lowering of barriers involving customs and trade. Through this process, EU aims to harness cooperation in the global world and promote globalization to an even higher extent. 121 countries are potentially linked to the EU by regional trade agreements, many negotiated in the 1990s (Barnard, Catherine, 2007, 447).

The Article 133 of the Economic Community Treaty describes the common commercial policy in detail, laying out all its aspects and processes that are involved. Common Trade policy comprises of a decision-making process regarding the said objectives, with the combination of shared and exclusive competences of the decision makers. The process starts off with negotiations where the commissioner is the negotiator on behalf of the 25 member states. The commission starts the negotiations with the focus on a “mandate” that is selected from various commission proposals. This mandate highlights the major issue that has to be negotiated between the countries entitled under the membership of EU. The Council approves the mandate if it gains maximum votes from the qualified majority. The Council is thus the decision maker for the decisions under the Common Policy. The Commission then informs the European Parliament about the mandate for trade policy developments. In case, the Parliament has to resolve mandates other than trade or in a broader perspective than just trade, then the parliament's assent is mandatory on major ratifications in the treaty if they may occur. In addition to these players, there is a 133Committee which assists the Commission and is appointed by the Council itself. It also acts as a permanent sounding board that bridges the interests of the Commission with the member states. The entire policy process also involves a civil society dialogue in which the civil society and the business traders share their opinions, suggestions, and general insights about the trade environment and its regulations under the EU.

In Ireland, the European Commission acts as an initiator, drafts proposals ...