ABSTRACT

The observance of EU values by the Member States is supervised by the EU which may intervene if a Member State violates them or even if there is merely a danger of them being breached. Under Article 7 TEU the EU may take measures such as a warning or suspension of the EU rights with regard to the offending Member State. Further, the accession of a State to the EU depends on that State’s adherence to EU values. 2. The objectives that justify the EU’s existence and its competences are listed in Article 3 TEU. They are clearly formulated and enhance the fact that economic objectives are as important as social, cultural, environmental and humanitarian objectives. The promotion of peace, the EU’s values and the well-being of its people constitute the overreaching objectives of the EU. More specific objectives are:

A. The creation of an area of FSJ;

B. The establishment of the internal market which must pursue not only economic objectives but also social, cultural and environmental goals;

C. The establishment of monetary and economic union (EMU);

D. The reinforcement of the EU’s presence on the international stage with a view to promoting its values and interests and contributing to the protection of EU citizens outside the EU.