| The relationship between, on the one hand, European Community Law and World Trade Organization Law and, on the other hand, domestic law lies at the heart of this thesis The European Treaty and the World Trade Organization Agreements have far reaching impacts not only on their Member States, but also on individuals. It is of crucial importance for the protection of individual rights and for the effective enforcement of these treaties whether individuals can invoke them before their national courts. After giving an overview of the general theories, which exist in international law with respect to the impact of international treaties on domestic law, this thesis analyzes the case law of the European Court of Justice regarding the impact of EC Law on domestic law and the impact of GATT 1947/WTO Law on the European Community. A review of this case law will demonstrate that the European Court has effectively promoted European integration by the doctrines of direct applicability, direct effect and supremacy. In contrast, the European Court has so far denied that individuals or Member States can challenge the validity of EC Law by invoking provisions of the GATT 1947. It is not clear whether the Court will change its attitude with respect to the WTO Agreements. This thesis will demonstrate that the general denial of direct effect to GATT/WTO Law is not based on legal reasons. With respect to the European Community, individuals must be allowed to rely at least on some of the provisions. |
