"One could hardly imagine a better commentator on the evolution of the European Parliament than Julian Priestley... formidable analytical skills." Jean-Claude Juncker, Prime Minister of Luxembourg
Sir Julian Priestley was Secretary-General of the European Parliament from 1997-2007, having been an official there since the 1970s. In this illuminating new book he looks at a series of key battles - all of which he witnessed at first hand - that contributed to the development of the Parliament's powers and influence.
The battles selected show Parliament engaged in a struggle not only to expand its formal institutional powers, in areas such as the budget, legislation and appointment, but also to command respect and recognition from the other European institutions. The author vividly demonstrates the complex interplay between politics and personalities in the Parliament and how internal political divisions at times proved a critical factor in determining outcomes.
Highly readable and deeply informative, this book is an essential complement to our textbook on the Parliament's powers and procedures, The European Parliament, by Richard Corbett MEP, Francis Jacobs and Michael Shackleton.
Price: 25.00 €
"Anyone interested in learning more about how Europe functions should read Jan Werts' fascinating book... An EU journalist par excellence, no-one is better qualified to write on this subject than Werts. No-one has been as close to quite so many European Council meetings... his focus is always on the issues of substance, often with remarkable results."
Jan Peter Balkenende, Prime Minister of the Netherlands
In this essential new book veteran EU media correspondent Jan Werts explains how the European Council, from modest origins in occasional summits, has become the strategic driving force of the European Union. He casts light on how it operates, its role vis a vis the Commission, the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament, and how its role will further change under the Treaty of Lisbon, in particular with the intended appointment of a full-time President.
JAN WERTS combines the skills of a journalist - having personally reported the great majority of European Council meetings since the 1970s - with the disciplines of an academic, having written the first doctoral dissertation on the European Council. He has written this book to assist both those studying the EU from an academic perspective and also those working at a practical level within the institutions who need to understand this often obscure body.
Approx. 280 Pages
Price: 27.00 €
The European Union is often accused of being an opaque, bureaucratic organisation. I am convinced that those who want to learn more about the European Union (its functioning, institutional set-up, decision-making and legal systems), and discover why European integration is so complicated and cumbersome, will fi nd the answers to their questions in the pages of this Handbook. The book sets out to cover not only the legal and institutional architecture, but also to explore all policy areas, ranging from economic policy to environmental protection, from cultural affairs to justice and home affairs, from trade to foreign policy.
European integration is a long and laborious process, but – nevertheless – it is the best way to ensure the prosperity of Europe’s peoples, as has been demonstrated by recent historic achievements, such as the introduction of the euro and the reunifi cation of Europe through the accession of Central and Eastern European countries that were not long ago separated from the rest of the continent by the Iron Curtain. Throughout history, there have always been ups and downs and successes are inevitably followed by crises, such as the referenda rejecting the Constitutional Treaty a few years ago. However, it is my conviction that such decisions are usually due to misinformation or a lack of information.This Handbook contributes to a better understanding of European integration and provides its readers with comprehensive up-to-date information to enable them to make the best use of the opportunities that the EU has to offer. The success of a united Europe hinges on well-informed citizens. I wish all readers a successful future in the European Union.
Katalin Szili
Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly
Price: 24.00 €
La version actualisée est éditée en même temps en langues anglaise, française et hongroise.
Le Manuel sur l'Union européenne en est déjà à sa septième édition en hongrois. Des dizaines de milliers d'exemplaires ont été publiés pour aider fonctionnaires, étudiants et citoyens à connaître l'Union européenne. Les éditions précédentes, parues également en langues anglaise, française et slovaque avec le soutien, entre autres, de la Commission européenne, ont connu un succès immédiat dans de nombreux États membres.
658 pages
Price: 24.00 €
"An indispensable guide... both an excellent primer for students and a reliable reference tool for practitioners", Hans-Gert Pöttering, President of the European Parliament
Since first publication in 1990 this has been the standard work on the European Parliament, packed with information but also very readable. It covers every aspect of how the Parliament is elected, is organised and does its work and its relationship to the other EU institutions.
Price: 32.00 €
"Describes in an accessible way how the Council has evolved and how it really works... A work of considerable authority." Javier Solana, secretary-general of the Council
Available now in paperback for the first time ever, this is the essential book on the Council of the European Union - the Council of Ministers - covering every aspect of how it operates.
"The definitive work on the EU Council of Ministers", The Bulletin
456 pages
Price: 35.00 €
"The last edition of this book was of immense help to me in reaching the centre of the European maze, and this edition already tops my pile of bedside guides" - Peter Mandelson, EU Trade Commissioner
This book is the complete guide to the Commission - how it is organised, its internal rules and working methods, and how it deals with its partners in the other EU institutions and the broader international community. It is a must for anyone working for or studying the EU institutions.
PUBLICATION 3 MAY 2006
Price: 35.00 €
This volume captures the changing nature of politics both within and beyond the state as a result of processes of globalization and regional integration. The analysis of ‘Politics Beyond the State’ clarifies that the central state continues to guide our understanding of politics but that it needs to be complemented with ample attention to both the sub- and the supranational tiers of government.
Pages - 295
Price: 36.00 €