Common European Asylum System in a Changing World

PROVISIONS ON THE INSTITUTIONS Article 13

1. The Union shall have an institutional framework which shall aim to promote its values, advance its objectives, serve its interests, those of its citizens and those of the Member States, and ensure the consistency, effectiveness and continuity of its policies and actions. The Union’s institutions shall be: – the European Parliament, – the Council, – the Court of Justice of the European Union, – the European Central Bank, and – the Court of Auditors.

As per Article 13(2) (TEU) , each institution shall act within the limits of the powers conferred on it by the Treaties, and in conformity with the procedures, conditions, and objectives set out in them. The institutions shall practice mutual sincere cooperation.

On the basis of Article 15 TEU and Article 68 TFEU, the European Council shall define the strategic guidelines for the legislative and operational planning within the area of freedom, security, and justice. The European Council plays a crucial role in setting the EU political agenda. While it has no power to adopt laws, its political guidelines give direction to the EU institutions preparing policy and laws. Based on Article 17 (TEU), the Euroepan Commission shall promote the general interest of the Union and take appropriate initiatives to that end. The European Commission has the ‘right of initiative’. This means that the Commission can propose new legislation on its own initiative. The Commission is also the “Guardian of the Treaties”, it makes sure that Member States apply EU legislation properly. Based on Article 16 (TEU), the Council of the EU (The Council) shares the competence to adopt EU laws with the European Parliament in the ordinary legislative procedure. The Council also coordinates economic policies and approves the EU budget. In addition, it signs international agreements and develops the foreign and defence policies of the EU. In Council meetings the Member States represent their national interests . Decisions are taken by a simple majority, qualified majority, or unanimity. Based on Article 14 TEU , the European Parliament (EP) shares the competence to adopt EU laws with the Council of the EU through ordinary legislative procedure. The consent of the EP is also needed when new Member States are joining the EU. In addition, the EP supervises the budget of the EU and has influence over the Commission, for example, it approves the appointment of a new Commission and examines its reports. The EP represents the interests of the citizens of the EU .

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