Main characteristics of the «Acquis communautaire» of the European Union

Abstract

The article summarizes the characteristics of the law of the European Union the components of the acquis of the EU were analysed, including those enshrined in the legislation of Ukraine, in particular primary and secondary legislation. Chapters acquis during the fifth and sixth enlargement of the European Union were also characterized. As a result, the analysis showed that the changes in the acquis were made to make the balancing between chapters and clusters more understandable for the candidate state. In addition, some chapters of the acquis of the EU before the fifth and after the sixth enlargement were explained in more detail. While others have added chapters. It was found that the acquis of the EU consists of several legislative acts adopted in the European Union during more than 50 years of existence, and which contains 6 clusters and 35 chapters. In addition, it was determined that the clusters are formed into the following thematic blocks: the first cluster concerns fundamental rights and freedoms, the second – the internal market, the third – competitiveness and inclusive growth, the fourth – the «green» agenda and sustainable interconnection, the fifth – resources, agriculture, and unity, the sixth – foreign relations. Ukraine should implement the acquis of the EU into domestic legislation in accordance with 35 chapters. In addition, the article analyses the main clusters and provides a brief description of each chapter of acquis, including individual articles contained in the founding treaties of the European Union. It was determined that all candidate states must implement the acquis of the EU in their legislation before they can join the EU and from the moment of official accession to the European Union, the candidate states are obliged to use the acquis of the EU. In addition, because of the analysis, it was found that the implementation of some chapters of the EU acquis in the domestic legislation of the member state is optional, but some should be fully implemented. The latest results of the evaluation of the implementation of the EU acquis in Ukraine were also analysed, according to which the chapters in which significant progress has been achieved and in which it is necessary to continue work have been determined.