Understanding EU Law

This 2nd amended and updated edition with references to the Draft Constitution of 29 October 2004, provides an understanding of methodology, objectives and principles of EU law. It tries to explain its legal peculiarities, particularly with regard to the concept of internal market and takes as a starting point its liberal roots enshrined in the free movement, competition and autonomy provisions, but focuses equally on the development of countervailing principles about citizenship, adequate standards, and governance. The author refers selectively to important secondary law, in particular directives, and to leading cases of the European Court of Justice. The second edition updates case law and secondary legislation as as well as important projects up to spring 2005. It refers to corresponding provisions of the Draft Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe of 29.10.2004 without going into details since it will involve only minor modifications of the acquis communauaire. Sections on state aid have been added to deepen the analysis of the central concept of open markets within the EU. This book is directed at all law scholars, students, practitioners, political scientists, in the old and new Member countries of the EU as well as in third countries who want to understand what EU law is all about. It will allow the reader a first orientation, without suffocating him or her in too much detail.