Question 1

The origins of the European Union date back to the creation of a common market for steel and coal?

Accepted Answer

The European Union has its origins in the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community in 1951, which established a common market for coal and steel among six Western European countries. This later evolved into the European Economic Community, and eventually the European Union.

Question 2

The EU Directorate in charge of enforcing competition (antitrust) law is Directorate XI.

Accepted Answer

The EU Directorate in charge of enforcing competition (antitrust) law is Directorate-General for Competition.

Question 3

The "principle of reasonable expectations" prohibits the passing of ex post facto laws.

Accepted Answer

The principle of reasonable expectations holds that individuals have a right to rely on existing laws and regulations. Ex post facto laws, which punish individuals for actions that were legal at the time they were committed, violate this principle and are therefore prohibited.

Question 4

Just like the American 1964 Civil Rights Act and other federal anti-discrimination laws, the Treaty of Amsterdam prohibits discrimination based upon sex, race, ethnic or national origin, religion, disability, age, or sexual orientation.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Just like the American 1964 Civil Rights...

Question 5

The Schengen Agreement allows passport-free travel within the EU.

Accepted Answer

The Schengen Agreement abolished internal border controls between the participating countries of the EU, allowing for passport-free travel within the Schengen Area.

Question 6

The Treaty of Paris created what is now known as the European Union.

Accepted Answer

The Treaty of Paris, signed in 1951, created the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), which was one of the precursor organizations to the European Union. The EU was officially founded with the signing of the Maastricht Treaty in 1992.

Question 7

The body of all EU law is referred to as the Acquis Communautaire.

Accepted Answer

This is true, the term Acquis Communautaire refers to the unified body of EU law that has been created by the EU institutions and accepted by EU member states over time.

Question 8

The four major EU institutions are the Parliament, Council, European Court of Justice, and the European Court of Human Rights.

Accepted Answer

The European Court of Human Rights is not an official EU institution. It is actually part of the Council of Europe, which is a separate intergovernmental organization. The correct fourth EU institution is the European Commission.

Question 9

EU laws a passed through a process of co-decision requiring the approval of the Council and Parliament.

Accepted Answer

This is a true statement. EU laws are passed through a process of co-decision, which means that both the Council (representatives of member states) and the Parliament (representatives of EU citizens) must approve the proposed law before it can come into effect.

Question 10

Council of the EU changes members (representatives) depending on the subject area of the meeting.

Accepted Answer

The Council of the EU consists of representatives from each Member State, and the composition of the Council changes depending on the subject area being discussed at a particular meeting. For example, if the meeting concerns foreign affairs, the meeting will be attended by each Member State's foreign affairs representative. If the meeting concerns agriculture, the meeting will be attended by each Member State's agriculture representative.

Question 11

When all leaders (presidents, prime ministers) of member countries gather they meet as the European Council.

Accepted Answer

The European Council is comprised of the heads of state or government of the European Union's member countries.

Question 12

The Parliamentary committee charged with drafting new laws for consideration by Parliament is called the Committee of Permanent Representatives or Comitė des Reprėsentants.

Accepted Answer

The Committee charged with drafting new laws for consideration by Parliament is typically called the Committee on Legislation or a similar name, depending on the country. The Committee of Permanent Representatives is a committee of the European Union, but it does not deal specifically with legislative drafting.

Question 13

EU laws that regulate the termination of employment or agency contracts are called "Blue-Ribbon" laws.

Accepted Answer

EU laws that regulate termination of employment or agency contracts are not called "Blue-Ribbon" laws.

Question 14

The EU direct effects principle applies to EU Directives.

Accepted Answer

The EU direct effects principle applies to EU Regulations, not Directives. Directives require transposition into national law to have effect.

Question 15

The Council of Europe goal is to foster common and democratic principles but, is independent of the European Union.

Accepted Answer

The Council of Europe is an international organization that aims to promote common and democratic principles, such as human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, among its member countries. However, it is not part of the European Union and operates independently from it. It has 47 member countries, including countries outside of the European continent such as Russia and Turkey.

Question 16

The equivalent of an American cabinet Secretary in the EU is called a Director General.

Accepted Answer

In the European Union, the term "Director-General" is used for the head of departments or directorates-general, which is somewhat equivalent to the role of a cabinet secretary in the United States, overseeing specific areas of administration or policy.

Question 17

MEPS are members of Parliament and serve ten-year terms.

Accepted Answer

MEPS (Members of European Parliament) serve a five-year term, not ten.

Question 18

Indirect discrimination is often referred to as a disguised trade barrier.

Accepted Answer

Indirect discrimination refers to policies, practices, or procedures that appear to be neutral but, in fact, have a disproportionately negative impact on a particular group. This can include requirements for certification or experience that may disproportionately exclude individuals from certain groups. Such indirect discrimination can act as a disguised trade barrier by making it difficult for foreign firms to compete on a level playing field with domestic firms.

Question 19

MEQRs are disguised quantitative restrictions of imported goods.

Accepted Answer

The answer of MEQRs are disguised quantitative restrictions of imported...

Question 20

There are exceptions to the free movement of persons within the EU. For example, The ECJ upheld a UK decision to deny entry to an EU citizen that practiced Scientology.

Accepted Answer

The statement is true. In a 2015 ruling, the European Court of Justice upheld the UK's decision to deny entry to an EU citizen who was a member of the Church of Scientology. This suggests that there are exceptions to the free movement of persons based on public policy reasons, such as protecting public order and public health.

Quiz 6: The European Union EU