Treaty of Rome

Stella Ghervas (2018). "'European Values': Decoding the Palimpsest of EU Treaties", 25th International Conference of Europeanists, Council for European Studies, Chicago, March 2018.

Abstract
"In the wake of the economic and political crisis that gripped the EU in recent years, advocates of "ever greater union" have increasingly relied on ethical justifications for the European integration. The founding treaties have called not only for a common market but a "community of values" , notably "peace, reconciliation, democracy, and human rights". Among them, peace has been a mainstay—and a successful one—for several decades. Despite this, the European leadership has regularly shown extraordinary self-doubt in times of crisis. Why this paradox? This paper argues that such questioning is intrinsic to the European system of political values, none of which are unique per se, but which form a distinctive combination. Taking an approach over the longue durée, the paper will examine the following questions: Why in the face of all odds and dramatic failures, have political leaders periodically attempted new projects for the peaceful unification of the Old Continent? Conversely, why are those values flagging today? It will also argue that the ideal of peace, if adequately rekindled, has the potential for drawing the political leaders and citizens of the member states back to a pan-European polity. It will end by exploring the political opportunities, but also the real risks, inherent in the fulfillment of European values, at a time of fragmentation and pressure, both internal and external."

The problem with aggression is the difficulty of defining what is permissible and impermissible aggression. The Special Working Group on the Crime of Aggression has made the first important steps to define a line not to be crossed when dealing with aggression. It builds on a foundation laid by the treaty of Versailles that was to end the wars all wars. In this paper I wish to research the history, meaning, and challenges within the amendments accepted at the Review Conference in Kampala. I want to explore what further needs to be done, so the definition of and jurisdiction over the crime of aggression can contribute to the international peace and security and hold responsible those committing mass atrocities.

The Convention defining the Statute of the International Criminal Court was adopted on 17 July 1998 and opened for signature by the states the next day at the close of a diplomatic conference five weeks, held in Rome in June and July 1998 after a vote requested by the United Nations (Simmons & Danner, 2010). One hundred and twenty states, including France and all the countries of the European Union had voted in favor, seven cons and twenty one abstained. The International Criminal Court (ICC), created by the Rome Convention of 17 July 1998, is a permanent court to punish the most serious crimes against international humanitarian law when criminals can be tried in their country. The purpose of the Court and the Roma Statue is that the Statute of the International Criminal Court determine the jurisdiction of that court and outlines its structure and its functions. It has to come into force sixty days after sixty states have ratified or acceded to (Simmons & Danner, 2010). The seat of the Court in The Hague in the Netherlands. It comprises the President, the room calls, the trial chamber and trial chamber. Eighteen judges perform the functions of that international court. They are elected by the Assembly of States Parties and must be highly skilled in the areas of criminal law and international law and well known for their morality. They must also exercise their functions independently and impartially. As Robinson assumes, the effectiveness of the International Criminal Court to defend and implement the deep needs of mankind depends largely on its power to effectively exercise jurisdiction assigned by their status (2003). Therefore, the question of the exercise of the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court was the subject of the most heated discussions and more tense until the last day of the Rome conference.These discussions have resulted in compromise so low that the Court today has a skill that does not fully ensures the existence of an effective international justice. Moreover, the ICC's jurisdiction is quite limited in reality. There are three significant reasons behind the limitations and weaknesses of the ICC. Firstly, the ICC can only know of four categories of offense , considered as the most serious: crimes against humanity, genocide, war crimes and crimes of aggression. Secondly, it can only intervene if the crime was committed on the territory of a state that signed the agreement , or if the respondent is a citizen of one of these states. Thirdly, the jurisdiction of the Court is complementary. First of all, Sanjara(2003) explains that the prosecutor, allocated power by the Rome Statute, takes the initiative and engages on its own prosecutions and investigations remained one of the most controversial and critical of the Rome conference. The conference

L’Europa che uscì dal Trattato di pace di Parigi del 10 febbraio 1947 era un continente quasi completamente devastato dalle conseguenze dirette ed indirette del secondo conflitto mondiale e ben pochi erano i territori dove non si videro scontri, eserciti in movimento e bombardamenti. Alle devastazioni materiali si aggiunsero gli inevitabili strascichi di un conflitto che, pur avendo coinvolto nazioni di tutti i continenti, taluni hanno in seguito considerato l’ultimo capitolo di una più ampia “guerra civile europea”

Abstract: In this study, tax harmonization aspects of the European Union (EU) are being examined. Financial aspects of a possible integration of Turkey with EU are also covered. With this framework, topic permits to analyze Turkey's accession and harmonization of its tax and financial policies in a context of an enlargement of the Union.
Book one is devoted to the presentation of the Union. Here, the harmonization concept explained and its relations the other disciplines being reviewed. Following chapter is describing the EU practices in terms of the theoretical contributions. The reason for such an extensive picture of the real world is the condition imposed by the EU to the new members. All new members have to accept all the existing regulation to date. However such areas in which some exceptions in the transition periods can be obtained by exemplifying the difficulties of the previous enlargements are shown. These transitory periods are generally bound to be limited to a short time. This represents obvious need for Turkey an accelerated period of preparations for accession. Otherwise the transition period would take longer. The EU members, even though are powerful enough to carry the burden of premature accession of Turkey, seem reluctant to assume such a burden. Thus, Turkey is being forced to develop its economy before the full membership.
Obviously, the common value added tax (VAT) is the major achievement of the Union. The application of such a tax in Turkey implies many related problems coming to the scene, such as the efforts to diminish the tax fraud or the determination of the relevant economic and financial policies. Turkey before accepting a VAT should consider seriously the analysis of prospective effects of such a tax. Taking into consideration of the fact that there will be no harmonization in personal income taxation within EU, Turkey may decide to intensify the coverage of personal income tax while keeping at low levels the VAT which constitutes one of the components of cost formation. In terms of such an analysis, Turkey's February/l980 VAT draft is bringing a high burden while Income Tax draft can be defined as an insufficient one.
Book two analyses the effects of the enlargement of the Union and prospects for the accession of Turkey. Here, Turkey's past relations with the Union is the major area of interest. This part followed by the search for the comparable external relations of the Union. The concessions made by the Union members to the young African nations are in some cases represent higher relative advantages in comparison to the similar concessions made to Turkey, one of the full member candidates. On the other hand, new candidates, Spain and Portugal and new member Greece seem to bring the new problems to the Union-Turkey relations as they are of similar agricultural production patterns.
The last chapter is for the review and comments on the Turkey-EU relations. Given the facts that the Agreements of Turkey with EU representing the uncertainty for the major topics and the behavior of the Turkey's governments are also far from being clear about the future of relations with EU, it is observed that the need for preparations of in-depth studies by the expert groups has become obvious. With an ever growing trade volume, Union has already become the major trade partner of Turkey. The harmonization of economic and financial policies, even in the lack of integration of Turkey to EU, is being necessitated merely by this fact. The positive result, it is believed that will only help for an increased welfare of the Turkish people and healthier Turkish economy.

The 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome (ToR) marks not only sixty years of European integration, but also sixty years of EU-Africa relations. This article explores the roots of the relationship tracing back to the template for cooperation set by the ToR which resonates to this day.