Legal essence of the European Union

Abstract

The article summarizes the analysis of the concept of “European Union”. A lot of scientific publications are devoted to the European Union, which concern both the law of the European Union and its economic and monetary union. However, over the years of research on the European Union, scientists have not yet formed a consensus on what the Alliance is by nature: an international organization, a political system, an entity, or a state. This issue is especially relevant in the context of Ukraine’s European integration aspirations. Several definitions of the concept of the “European Union” were analysed from the point of view of various scientists. In addition, the main goals and values cherished by the EU within the organization and on the world were investigated. It was also determined that the European Union is inherently a unique structure that is special in the system of geopolitics. It all started with a certain regional dimension, and today we can talk about a distinctive interstate entity on the larger territory of the European region. During its history the union, which were formed for the purpose of obtaining economic benefits has gone from interstate agreements to a common currency and foreign policy and security architecture. The EU has both the features inherent in the state form of governance and the characteristics inherent in international intergovernmental organizations. In addition, it was determined that the historical development of the European Union and, especially, its activities at the present stage, make it possible to analyse its nature and find an appropriate place in the international political system. It was also analysed that there are no analogues to this union in the world, and it was determined that the EU has long been a subject of international law, regardless of what form of integration its founders planned to create from the moment of its foundation or in the future of its development. It was also found that today’s institutions of the European Union in many moments remind us of national authorities, but this is explained by the fact that they have long and effectively ensured the functioning of the state mechanism in states around the world.