Access to the European Union - 21st edition: Law, Economics, Policies - Softcover

About the earlier editions of the book 'Access to European Union is an invaluable publication for anyone who wants a factual source of reference about the European Union.' Neil Kinnock, Vice-President of the European Commission, Foreword, 2001. 'It is an invaluable publication for anyone who wishes to learn more about the nature and role of the European Union as it is now - and as it is likely to develop in the future.' Chris Patten, Commissioner for External Relations. Foreword, 11th Edition, 2002. 'I admire the breadth, depth and relevance of the issues tackled in this book and believe it will be a useful reference, not only for students and 'practitioners', but also for any citizen who reads it.' Pat Cox, President of the European Parliament, Preface 2003. 'This book ... presents the acquis communautaire in a manner easily accessible to professionals, students and anyone wanting to learn more about the European Union. Its frequent updating ensures the correctness of information, while at the same time, it offers valuable historical perspective, which helps readers to understand, reflect and assume their role as citizens of the Union.' Professor Nikiforos Diamandouros, European Ombudsman, Preface to the 11th Greek edition, 2005. 'This book gives us an excellent tool to address in all its dimensions the Europe where we come from, that we live in and that which is in preparation. Clear and simple, it quite rightly wants to be a real 'access to the European Union'. I can only encourage its readers to consult it with benefit'. Michel Barnier, Member of the European Commission. Preface to the 10th French edition, 2008.

Access to European Union not only provides a comprehensive overview of European integration but also offers a fresh insight with each revised edition. Thanks to its clear and systematic approach, this book guides the reader through the maze of European Union policies. It throws light upon the European institutions, their raison d'etre, their objectives and their experience, and explains EU measures, legal provisions and economic programmes. The book contains over 3000 references to the Official Journal of the European Communities and more than 500 bibliographic references, selected by topic so as to help the reader deepen the study of the subjects of his or her interest.