Elements of the trade theory

The main theories on trade and specialisation, the theory of the customs union: static and dynamic effects.

Economic integration and GATT rules

The idea of trade liberalisation in the GATT Agreement, the nature of the most-favoured-nation treatment; the exclusion of the free trade area and customs union from the MFN clause; the global experience in the regional trade agreements (RTA) versus the liberalisation and negotiations round within the GATT/WTO.

Economic integration and GATS rules

The GATS rules concerning liberalisation of trade in services; the GATS provisions on regional agreements covering the trade in services; the nature of the regional economic integration organisations (REIO).

Regionalism in the modern economic world

The meaning of economic union; evolution of the regional agreements in the world; the contents of the regional trade agreements: elimination of customs duties, provisions concerning the trade instruments in relations between partners of the RTA, link between the use of antitrust and antidumping provisions with the level of economic integration between the member of RTA.

The European Union as a regional trade agreement

The creation of the customs union within the European Community; the consequences of creation of the common customs tariff on the trade with third countries; the effects of all enlargements on the trade with third partners; the main provisions concerning trade in goods and services within the EU; the rules concerning the economic cooperation within the EU versus the WTO rules concerning RTA.

The evolution of the common commercial policy of the EU and the WTO rules

The common commercial policy within the Community's sphere of competence; the concept of "commercial policy" and "Community competence"; the common customs tariffs: the evolution of CCT, changes in the CCT effected by the negotiation round within the GATT/WTO; the common import arrangements and the common protective measures; safeguard measures; protection against dumped and subsidised imports; common export arrangements.

The legal base and procedures on the conclusion of agreements with third countries and enlargement of the EU

Representation of the European Community by the European Commission in the field of common commercial policy; the 133 Committee, the competence of the European Commission, Council of the European Union (GAERC - General Affairs and External Relation Council) and the European Parliament; the procedures concerning conclusion of trade agreements, association agreements and sectoral agreements.

External relations of the EU with third countries - EU - acceding countries

The political approach of the EU towards future enlargement: Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Turkey; the main provisions concerning trade and economic cooperation between the EU and Romania and Bulgaria (Europe Agreements), Turkey (association agreement and creation of the customs union) and Croatia (Partnership Agreement; state of play of the negotiations and perspectives of the accession to the EU).

External relations of the EU with third countries - EU - EFTA countries

The idea of the European Free Trade Association as an alternative towards the European Community; the agreements concerning the free trade areas between the EC and the EFTA countries of 70's; the main provisions of the European Economic Area Agreement and the consequences of enlargement; the EEA financial mechanism; the trade in goods and services between the EC and the EFTA countries.

External relations of the EU with third countries - EU - Mediterranean countries

Relations between the EC and the Mediterranean on the base of the agreements of 70's; the main points of the Barcelona Declaration of 1995; Euro-Mediterranean Partnership in economic, social and political spheres; establishment of a common area of peace and stability through a political and security partnership; creation an area of shared prosperity through an economic and financial partnership; establishment of a partnership in social, cultural and human affairs: developing human resources, promotion understanding between cultures and exchanges between civil societies; trade and investment flows within the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, MEDA programme as a financial support for the development of the Mediterranean countries.

Generalised System of Preferences of the EU - Development Policy of the EU

GSP and the 2nd Session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in 1968; GSP as a tool for development; tariff reductions and in some cases duty-free access for their manufactured exports and certain agricultural exports; incentives arrangements of the GSP system: a general arrangement, special incentives schemes with social and environmental components, a special drug scheme and a special scheme for least developed countries (LCDs).

Development Policy of the EU - External relations of the EU with ACP countries

Development policy resources: industrial and technological cooperation, trade promotion, food aid, financial aid; the EU policy towards former colonies of France, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands and the UK on the base of the EC Treaty; the evolution of the development policy from Yaounde agreements towards the Lomé Conventions; the main provisions of the Lomé conventions between the EU and the ACP group concerning trade, investment cooperation and financial assistance; the infringement of the WTO rules by the Lomé conventions; the new Cotonou agreement and the idea of partnership agreements establishing the free trade areas; financial assistance from the European Development Fund.

"External relations of the EU with third countries - EU - CIS and neighbourhood policy

Cooperation between the EC and the Commonwealth of Independent States; TACIS financial programme; provisions of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreements and the consequences of enlargement on the relations between EU and Russia; Common Strategy of the European Union on Russia and Common strategy for Ukraine.

External relations of the EU with third countries - EU - Latin America and EU - Far East, EU - GCC

Community Strategy for Asia: the EU cooperation with the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), special relations (partnership) with China in the light of its accession to the WTO; cooperation with Latin America: Rio Group, development of cooperation with the Central American Economic Integration and the Andean Community; creation of economic relations between the EU and the Mercosur countries; cooperation with the Gulf Council Countries; structure of trade and investments and future perspectives of the agreement with the EU.

External relations of EU with third countries - EU - USA and Japan

Non-preferential relations between EU and the USA and Japan; provisions of the main agreements concerning cooperation in the field of trade, competition, investments; main critical points of trade-wars between the EU and the USA; declaration on co-operation between the EU and USA and Japan; trade and investments in relations EU-USA, UE-Japan.