The article is devoted to the definition of the role of the European Commission in the framework of ensuring competition in the European Union. The provisions of normative acts and scientific works are analyzed. The issue of antitrust activities of the European Commission is analyzed by analyzing concrete examples of the implementation of its powers. The author points out that among the important functions of the European Commission it is necessary to highlight the provision of competition, that is, to prevent abuses of dominant positions on the market by large industrial companies and to prohibit agreements between the parties that lead to restrictions of competition, production or market opportunities. The policy itself is based on the principles of maximizing the scope of the market mechanism and reducing interference in the economy. The author draws attention to the fact that ensuring the principle of protecting competition in the global market can only be achieved by effectively combating anti-competitive practices such as anticompetitive concerted actions or, as they are called throughout the world, conspiracies or cartels. After analyzing these legal provisions, the author came to the conclusion that the European Commission's competition policy is based on five basic principles: prohibited concerted practices, agreements and mergers between companies that could negatively affect trade between member states, prevent competition within to restrict or distort the common market; It is prohibited to take advantage of a dominant position on the market when it may adversely affect trade between Member States; control of state aid in member countries in any form that threatens free competition because it benefits individual enterprises or the production of individual goods; European-wide merger plans are assessed from the point of view of potential consequences for competition and may become banned; the liberalization of some sectors, which to date dominated the monopoly of certain public or private enterprises. ...
Meje med državami članicami Evropske unije na nek način obstajajo le še na papirju – prebivalci Evropske unije lahko delamo v drugih državah članicah, podjetja pa na primer lahko poslujejo v drugih državah članicah pod istimi pogoji kot poslujejo domača podjetja. Notranji trg Evropske unije tako ponuja številne priložnosti podjetjem, ki želijo razširiti svoje poslovanje izven meja svoje države ter s tem izboljšati svoj položaj na zelo konkurenčnem trgu. Priložnosti, ki jih prinaša notranji trg Evropske unije, pa spremljajo izzivi in ovire, za katere je potrebno znanje in viri, tako finančni kot človeški, da se premostijo. Zaradi omejenosti sredstev so mala in srednje velika podjetja bolj izpostavljena izzivom ter se težje spopadajo z ovirami kot pa velika podjetja. Dejstvo, da so skoraj vsa podjetja v Evropski uniji mala in srednje velika podjetja, nalaga ustvarjalcem poslovnega in zakonodajnega okolja veliko odgovornost – malim in srednje velikim podjetjem, še posebej pa mikropodjetjem, je potrebno zagotoviti trg, na katerem lahko enakovredno nastopajo skupaj z velikimi podjetji. Znaten delež malih in srednje velikih podjetij v Evropski uniji je mnenja, da je prav zakonodaja tista, ki predstavlja najvišjo oviro pri njihovem poslovanju. Za zagotovitev skladnosti z evropsko oziroma nacionalno zakonodajo morajo nameniti velik delež svojih virov, kar nedvomno vpliva na njihovo poslovanje in konkurenčnost. Zavedajoč se izjemnega pomena malih in srednje velikih podjetij za evropsko gospodarstvo, Evropska komisija s svojimi predlogi, akti, ukrepi ter programi zmanjšuje administrativna bremena ter na ta način poskuša zagotoviti enakovredne konkurenčne pogoje za vsa podjetja, ne glede na njihovo velikost. Na vseh korakih cikla specifičnega akta/politike se posebno pozornost namenja malim in srednje velikim podjetjem, še posebej pa mikropodjetjem, ter administrativnim bremenom. Tako se že pri prvotnem načrtovanju pobude, ko Evropska komisija objavi t.i. časovnico, naredi preliminarna ocena potencialnih vplivov pobude na mala in srednje velika podjetja. Preden pa Evropska komisija dejansko predlaga nov predlog, se naprej skozi javno posvetovanje posvetuje z relevantnimi deležniki in oceni možne posledice predloga - to naredi s tako imenovano oceno učinka, ki je obvezna za najpomembnejše pobude in pobude z daljnosežnimi posledicami. Sama ocena učinka je del »MSP testa«, v okviru katerega se, med drugim, naredi natančna analiza učinkov predlagane pobude na mala in srednje velika podjetja. V oceni učinka je posebno poglavje namenjeno tudi analizi administrativnih bremen oziroma administrativnih stroškov, ki bi nastali s sprejetjem pobude, ki se ocenjuje. Rezultati te analize in »MSP testa« omogočajo podlago za odločitev, ali bodo mala in srednje velika podjetja morala upoštevati vse obveznosti, ki izhajajo iz pobude, ali bodo morebiti iz določenih obveznosti izključena oziroma bo za njih veljal blažji režim. Med samim izvajanjem posamezne pobude oziroma po koncu njenega izvajanja Evropska komisija z vrednotenjem redno ocenjuje uspešnost, učinkovitost, ustreznost in dodano vrednost ukrepov Evropske unije. V okviru Programa ustreznosti in uspešnosti predpisov – REFIT, ki je bil uveden z namenom narediti zakonodajo Evropske unije kakovostnejšo in lažjo, se izvajajo korektivni ukrepi obstoječe zakonodaje, vrednotenja in preverjanja ustreznosti, ter razveljavitve obstoječe zakonodaje, ki ne služi svojemu namenu. Ne glede na vse napore in ukrepe Evropske komisije za zmanjšanje administrativnih bremen še vedno obstajajo zakonodajni akti, ki so za mala in srednje velika podjetja, še posebej pa za mikropodjetja, zelo obremenjujoči. Leta 2012 so mala in srednje velika podjetja v javnem posvetovanju identificirala deset zakonodajnih aktov Evropske unije, ki so za njih najbolj obremenjujoči - Evropska komisija je v zvezi z identificiranimi akti, kjer je to možno, že ukrepala. ; In a way, borders between the Member States of the European Union remain to exist only on paper – for example, citizens of the European Union can work in other Member States, while enterprises can do business in other Member States under the same conditions as domestic enterprises. The internal market of the European Union offers numerous opportunities to enterprises which want to expand their business outside their country's borders and thereby improve its position on the very competitive market. Opportunities that internal market of the European Union brings are accompanied by challenges and barriers for which know-how as well as financial and human resources are needed to overcome them. Due to lack of resources, small and medium-sized enterprises are more exposed to challenges and face more difficulties with overcoming barriers, in comparison with large enterprises. The fact that almost all enterprises in the European Union are small and medium-sized enterprises imposes a great responsibility on creators of the business and regulatory environment – a market on which small and medium-sized enterprises, and especially micro-enterprises, will be able to equally compete with large enterprises must be ensured. A significant share of small and medium-sized enterprises in the European Union shares the opinion that legislation represents the highest barrier to conduct business. They have to allocate a great share of their resources in order to ensure compliance with European and/or national legislation, which undoubtedly impacts their operations and competitiveness. Being aware of the immense significance of small and medium-sized enterprises for the European economy, the European Commission is reducing administrative burden with its proposals, acts and programmes. In this way, the European Commission is trying to ensure a level playing field for all enterprises, regardless of their size. On all steps of a cycle of a specific act/policy, special attention is paid to small and medium sized enterprises, especially to micro-enterprises, and administrative burden. It starts with the planning of the initiative, when the European Commission publishes a roadmap, in which a preliminary assessment of initiative's potential impacts on small and medium-sized enterprises is done. Furthermore, before the European Commission actually proposes a new proposal, it first evaluates its possible consequences with a so-called impact assessment, which is obligatory for the most important initiatives and for initiatives with far-reaching consequences. The impact assessment is also a part of a "SME test", in the context of which a detailed analysis of initiative's impacts on small and medium-sized enterprises is conducted. Moreover, a specific chapter is dedicated to the analysis of administrative burden and administrative costs, which would be incurred with the adoption of the respective initiative. Results of the analysis and of the SME test represent a basis for a decision whether small and medium-sized enterprises will be included in all obligations, deriving from the initiative, or whether they will be excluded from certain obligations or will they be a subject to a milder regime. During the implementation of a specific initiative or at the end of its implementation, the European Commission regularly assesses the effectiveness, efficiency, relevance and added value of the European Union's measures. In the context of the Regulatory Fitness and Performance programme – REFIT, which was introduced with the intention of making the legislation of the European Union lighter and of greater quality, corrective measures of existing legislation, evaluations and fitness checks, as well as repeals of existing legislation which is not fit for its purpose, are carried out. Despite the efforts and measures of the European Commission to reduce administrative burden, legislative acts, which are very burdensome for small and medium-sized enterprises, still exist.
This article analyzes the cooperation between Ukraine and the European commission "For Democracy through Law" (Venice Commission) in the sphere of judicial reform implementation. The article highlights the main principles of bilateral cooperation and of legislative initiatives in the justice sphere. The main European justice standards and international obligations towards the functioning of the Judiciary are defined. The article asserts that the main obstacles of the independent judicial system in Ukraine are the inconsistent implementation of strategic priorities for national justice system reform and the imperfection of public administration in this sphere. ; Проаналізовано співпрацю України з Європейською комісією "За демократію через право" (Венеціанською комісією) у сфері впровадження судової реформи. Виділено головні принципи двостороннього співробітництва, законодавчих ініціатив у сфері правосуддя. Визначено основні європейські стандарти судочинства, міжнародні зобов'язання щодо функціонування судової гілки влади. Стверджено, що основними перешкодами незалежної судової системи в Україні є непослідовність втілення стратегічних пріоритетів реформування національної сфери правосуддя та недосконалість державного управління у цій сфері.
This article analyzes the cooperation between Ukraine and the European commission "For Democracy through Law" (Venice Commission) in the sphere of judicial reform implementation. The article highlights the main principles of bilateral cooperation and of legislative initiatives in the justice sphere. The main European justice standards and international obligations towards the functioning of the Judiciary are defined. The article asserts that the main obstacles of the independent judicial system in Ukraine are the inconsistent implementation of strategic priorities for national justice system reform and the imperfection of public administration in this sphere. ; Проаналізовано співпрацю України з Європейською комісією "За демократію через право" (Венеціанською комісією) у сфері впровадження судової реформи. Виділено головні принципи двостороннього співробітництва, законодавчих ініціатив у сфері правосуддя. Визначено основні європейські стандарти судочинства, міжнародні зобов'язання щодо функціонування судової гілки влади. Стверджено, що основними перешкодами незалежної судової системи в Україні є непослідовність втілення стратегічних пріоритетів реформування національної сфери правосуддя та недосконалість державного управління у цій сфері.
The purpose of the article is to clarify the role and influence of the European Commission in the process of developing and implementing of the EU's enlargement policy. The relevance of the research is due to the important role of EU's enlargement policy in the process of European integration and EU external action in general as well as the well as the value of the European Commission for the successful completion of the accession process. The research draws on the scientific papers of foreign scientists and documents and analytical materials of the European Commission.Enlargement policy is the most dynamic and successful policy of the Union, through which the EU has extended its influence to almost the entire European continent. Today, in many respects, this policy has a much stronger effect on the nature and content of European integration than other European Union policies, and is one of the decisive features of this process. Among the key actors in the enlargement policy are the Council of the European Union, the European Parliament and the European Commission. The latter being an institution that directly works with all candidate countries throughout their accession process. And once negotiation talks start, the Commission plays a crucial role accompanying the candidate countries throughout the reform process, establishing very close relations with them.Formally, in enlargement matters, the European Commission rather functions as a «technical assistant» of the Council. According to the TEU, the role of the Commission is limited to the delivery of opinions on a membership application and to technical-administrative assistance of the Council. But through expanding its own authority, evolution of the decision-making process, as well as the ability to set certain conditions and terms and set the tone in the negotiations, the Commission has become the actual leader in the development and implementation of the EU's enlargement policy. As the accession process continues to complicate, in particular due to an increase in EU conditionality, the role and influence of the European Commission will steadily increase. The dynamics of this trend can be influenced by the choice of the scenarios of further EU development by 2025, which should be made by Member States before the beginning of the new institutional cycle in 2019. ; Политика расширения является самой динамичной и успешной политикойСоюза, благодаря которой ЕС распространил свое влияние почти на весь Европейский континент. Сегодня во многих аспектах эта политика намного сильнее влияет на характер и содержание европейской интеграции, чем другие политики Союза, и является одной из определяющих особенностей этого процесса. Среди ключевых субъектов политики расширения – Совет ЕС, Европейский Парламент, Европейская Комиссия – последняя является институтом, который непосредственно взаимодействует со странами-кандидатами во время всего процесса поступления. Благодаря расширению собственных полномочий, эволюции процедуры принятия решений, а также возможности ставить определенные условия и задавать тон в переговорах, Комиссия стала фактическим лидером в разработке и имплементации политики расширения. По мере дальнейшего усложнения процесса вступления, в частности из-за увеличения объема обусловленности, роль и влияние Европейской Комиссии будут неуклонно расти. На динамику этого тренда может повлиять выбор сценария дальнейшего развития ЕС до 2025 г., который должны сделать государства-члены до начала нового институционального цикла в 2019 г. ; Політика розширення є найдинамічнішою та найуспішнішою політикою Союзу, завдяки якій ЄС поширив свій вплив майже на весь Європейський континент.Сьогодні у багатьох аспектах ця політика набагато сильніше впливає на характер та зміст європейської інтеграції, ніж інші політики Союзу, і є однією з визначальних особливостей цього процесу. Серед ключових акторів політики розширення – Рада ЄС, Європейський Парламент та Європейська Комісія – остання є інститутом, який безпосередньо взаємодіє з країнами-кандидатами під час всього процесу вступу. Завдяки розширенню власних повноважень, еволюції процедури прийняття рішень, а також можливості встановлювати певні умови та задавати тон у переговорах, Комісія стала фактичним лідером у розробленні та імплементації політики розширення. У міру подальшого ускладнення процесу вступу, зокрема через збільшення обсягу обумовленості, роль і вплив Європейської Комісії неухильно зростатимуть. На динаміку цього тренду може вплинути вибір сценарію подальшого розвитку ЄС до 2025 р., який мають зробити держави-члени до початку нового інституційного циклу в 2019 р.
At present, the legislation of Ukraine about the constitutional right to freedom of association in the political parties is going in accordance with the standards of the Council of Europe in this sphere. With its further improvement, it is also important to apply the recommendations in this sphere by the European Commission for Democracy through Law's Documents (Venice Commission), which are reviewed in the article. (Guidelines on Political Party Regulation 2010, Guidelines and Explanatory Report on Legislation on Political Parties: Some Specific Issues 2004, Code of Good Practice in the Field of Political Parties 2009 and others). ; В настоящее время законодательство Украины о конституционном праве на свободу объединения в политические партии полностью соответствует стандартам Совета Европы в этой сфере. При его дальнейшем усовершенствовании необходимо учитывать и положения документов Совета Европы рекомендательного характера, обзор которых осуществлен в статье (Положение о правовом регулировании деятельности политических партий 2010 года, Руководящие принципы и пояснительная записка о законодательстве о политических партиях: отдельные вопросы 2004 года, Кодекс хорошей практики в отношении политических партий 2009 года и другие). ; Нині законодавство України щодо конституційного права на свободу об'єднання в політичні партії цілком відповідає стандартам Ради Європи в цій сфері. Під час його подальшого вдосконалення важливо застосовувати також і документи Ради Європи рекомендаційного характеру, огляд яких здійснено в статті (Положення про правове регулювання діяльності політичних партій 2010 року, Керівні принципи та пояснювальна записка щодо законодавства про політичні партії: окремі питання 2004 року, Кодекс доброї практики щодо політичних партій 2009 року тощо).
The literature review on the development of physical education in European Union had been conducted in the article. The author used four directions to review the literature. In order to develop Direction 1 (theoretical background to research in physical education concepts in the EU countries), a number of sources in the field of comparative pedagogical researches have been analyzed. In order to develop Direction 2 (roots and developments of physical education in the EU countries), mostly have been used historial pedagogical and philosophical researches. In order to develop Direction 3 (practical applications of the physical educa-tion concepts in the EU countries), a number of modern sources and applied researches findings have been considered. In order to develop Direction 4 (current situation in the physical training education in the EU countries), the author has analyzed a range of researches (normative documents of the European Commission, OECD analytical materials etc.).
The literature review on the development of physical education in European Union had been conducted in the article. The author used four directions to review the literature. In order to develop Direction 1 (theoretical background to research in physical education concepts in the EU countries), a number of sources in the field of comparative pedagogical researches have been analyzed. In order to develop Direction 2 (roots and developments of physical education in the EU countries), mostly have been used historial pedagogical and philosophical researches. In order to develop Direction 3 (practical applications of the physical educa-tion concepts in the EU countries), a number of modern sources and applied researches findings have been considered. In order to develop Direction 4 (current situation in the physical training education in the EU countries), the author has analyzed a range of researches (normative documents of the European Commission, OECD analytical materials etc.).
The article studies the recommendations of the European Commission «For Democracy through Law» on the proposed amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine in terms of justice. The Venice Commission is a recognized European and world legal advisory body, whose main task is the practical help in the search for the most effective forms of optimization of legislation and the rights and freedoms of citizens. Of particular importance are the findings of the Commission on matters relating to the European standards of draft legislation or laws. ; Статья посвящена исследованию рекомендаций Европейской комиссии «За демократию через право», по предлагаемым изменениям в Конституцию Украины в части правосудия. Венецианская комиссия является общепризнанным европейским и мировым консультативным юридическим органом, основной задачей является практическая помощь в поисках эффективных форм оптимизации законодательства и обеспечения прав и свобод гражданина. Особое значение имеют выводы Комиссии по вопросам, которые касаются соответствия европейским стандартам проектов законодательных актов или законов. ; Статтю присвячено дослідженню рекомендацій Європейської комісії «За демократію через право», щодо запропонованих змін до Конституції України в частині правосуддя. Венеціанська комісія є загальновизнаним європейським та світовим консультативним юридичним органом, основним завданням є практична допомога в пошуках найефективніших форм оптимізації законодавства та забезпечення прав і свобод громадянина. Особливого значення мають висновки Комісії з питань, які стосуються відповідності європейським стандартам проектів законодавчих актів або законів.
The government of Ukraine intends to intensify the work on the Association Agreement with the EU. The convergence with the progressive international political and economic union necessitates a thorough study of the EU institutions in the theoretical level.Defining of the competence of its organs and the distribution of powers among them are of particular interest, and the article is dedicated to the study of these facts.The powers of the European Council, the EU Council and the European Parliament are investigated, as well as their distribution among these authorities of the EU. The new approaches to the European Union as an international organization that has features of federation are made, and the role and importance of the European Commission in its system bodies is shown.It is emphasized that the entry into legal force of the Lisbon Treaty the European Council acquires the status of a full-fledged EU institution. Therefore, the decisions made by this organization can be regarded as acts which have legal effect and operate within both the EU and the Member States. The institutions, bodies and organizations, as well as the Member States, to which its decisions are addressed, are legally bound to meet them and to ensure their enforcement. New powers were given to the European Parliament and the Council. The Commission received higher authority like the authority of the executive power. ; Досліджено повноваження Європейської ради, Ради ЄС, та Європарламенту, а також їх розподіл між вказаними органами Євросоюзу. Розглянуті нові підходи до Євросоюзу як міждержавної організації, яка має ознаки федерації, з'ясована роль і значення Єврокомісії в системі його органів.
The article studies the recommendations of the European Commission «For Democracy through Law» on the proposed amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine in terms of justice. The Venice Commission is a recognized European and world legal advisory body, whose main task is the practical help in the search for the most effective forms of optimization of legislation and the rights and freedoms of citizens. Of particular importance are the findings of the Commission on matters relating to the European standards of draft legislation or laws. ; Статья посвящена исследованию рекомендаций Европейской комиссии «За демократию через право», по предлагаемым изменениям в Конституцию Украины в части правосудия. Венецианская комиссия является общепризнанным европейским и мировым консультативным юридическим органом, основной задачей является практическая помощь в поисках эффективных форм оптимизации законодательства и обеспечения прав и свобод гражданина. Особое значение имеют выводы Комиссии по вопросам, которые касаются соответствия европейским стандартам проектов законодательных актов или законов. ; Статтю присвячено дослідженню рекомендацій Європейської комісії «За демократію через право», щодо запропонованих змін до Конституції України в частині правосуддя. Венеціанська комісія є загальновизнаним європейським та світовим консультативним юридичним органом, основним завданням є практична допомога в пошуках найефективніших форм оптимізації законодавства та забезпечення прав і свобод громадянина. Особливого значення мають висновки Комісії з питань, які стосуються відповідності європейським стандартам проектів законодавчих актів або законів.
У статті розглядаються комунікаційні проблеми, з якими зіткнулася Європейська комісія у спробі взаємодії з громадянами ЄС. Проблеми з комунікацією спонукали до подальшого вдосконалення комунікаційних зусиль Комісії та розроблення комунікаційної політики ЄС, зорієнтованої на залучення громадян до процесів творення політик ЄС та уникнення комунікаційних проблем. The article focuses on the communication problems the European Commission has faced in its attempt to cooperate with the EU citizens. The communication problems have impeded to further improvement of Commission communication efforts and the elaboration of the EU communication policy directed at the involvment of citizens to the processes of EU policies creation and at the avoidance of communication problems.
In the scientific article the author investigates the issue of consumer protection in the activities of the European Union. The principle according to which the consumer of the European Union is a weaker party in the obligation is considered. The author analyzes the normative regulation of consumer protection in the European Union. It is shown that classification of consumer rights is supported by a large number of scientists, who divide them in general and special. The term "consumer" and similar terms in EU legislation are considered. The signs of the consumer are defined as categories of law and legislation of the EU. Legislative acts which regulate the application of law in the EU are investigated. Consumer agreement rule is analyzed, according to which the law of the country of origin of the consumer is subject to application. Exceptions to consumer agreements in the Regulation (EU) № 593/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 on the law applicable to contractual obligations (Rome I) are highlighted. Regulatory legal acts which regulate the procedural issues of consumer protection in the EU, in particular Regulation (EU) No 1215/2012 'On jurisdiction, recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters', also entitled "Brussels I" have been investigated. Application of the Brussels I Regulation about consumer agreements has been researched. Alternative systems which are aimed at minimizing barriers for consumers in the access to justice have been analyzed. Legal regulation, object and content of the Alternative Dispute Resolution system have been investigation. Attention is also focused on the system of interactive dispute resolution, its scope of activities and content. Extra-judicial network of consumer rights protection and its constituent elements, in particular European Extra Judicial Network, ICPEN-Europe, the subgroup, which was set up by the European Commission, European Association for the Coordination of Consumer Representation in Standardization ...
The article analyzes the role and competences of a kin-state in the protection of its national minority living abroad. The issue had been analyzed with the example of Hungarian unilateral legal acts, which present legal consequences and the legitimacy of the actions of a kin-state. The article focuses on the basic international legal mechanisms for the protection of the rights of national minorities and the recommendations given by international advisory bodies in this area. According to international law, the state, in which the minority lives, has the primary duty to protect minority rights. Only few types of actions can be taken by a kin-state in favour of its kin-minority: actions in the context of international bodies and mechanisms, actions in co-operation with the home state and domestic legislation concerning relations with its kin minority. The last one is not regulated by international law and is broadly discussed in its doctrine. The article analyzes Hungarian domestic legislation providing a wide range of preferential treatment to the members of the kin minorities in Zakarpattia, namely Act LXII OF 2001 on Hungarians Living in Neighbouring Countries and Аmendment of Act LV of 1993 on Hungarian citizenship. Soft law instruments confirm that this kind of legislation of kin-states has to be assessed in accordance with relevant principles of the international law, such as territorial sovereignty of the state, pacta sunt servanda, friendly relations among state and the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms, in particular the prohibition of discrimination.