THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE MEMBER STATES OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS WITH SPECIAL FOCUS ON EUROPEAN UNION

Abstract

This paper will discuss issues of possible limitations of sovereignty in the so-called deliberative organizations (UNESCO, Council of Europe, OSCE), the United Nations (with respect to the authority and responsibility of the Security Council under the Chapter VII of the Charter), and the European Union. Special focus will be on the supranational system of the European Union. The term „supranational“ means that it is a legal concept, and refers to issues of superiority and direct applicability of the rules of the European Union on the territory of the Member States. The traditional view of sovereignty is replaced by the new concept of sovereignty and the interdependence of the countries. The competencies of the European Union overcome national borders and interests. This implies that the EU can make binding decisions not only for Member States, but also for legal entities and individuals in the Member States. That makes the biggest difference between European Union and all other international organizations. Membership in such organization is reducing the sovereign rights of member states. The successor states of the former Yugoslavia will join the EU faster than it is now assumed. That is why it is even more necessary to clarify the superiority of EU law in relation to the national laws of states, and to point out the sovereignty of the member states of international organizations, especially of the European Union.