The principle of mutual recognition: from the internal market to the European area of freedom, security and justice

Abstract

The principle of mutual recognition represents one of the brilliant creations of the Court of Justice of the European Union, which has significantly contributed to the achievement of the free movement of goods, in the absence of the approximation of national laws, and which is impressive even today by its depth and vocation to extend to new fields of European integration. Mutual recognition is one of the efficient solutions in order to have unity in diversity and also common objectives to reach. We find the principle of mutual recognition in the sphere of the fundamental freedoms of the internal market and in very different domains of the internal market too. Judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters uses this principle in order to ensure the free movement of judgements and the effectiveness of criminal proceedings. The application of the principle in very different fields has illustrated its utility, as well as the particularities of each area. By observing these particularities, we can better understand the European integration specificity in various fields and its challenges. Our research is descriptive, explanatory and comparative, being accompanied by the relevant case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union.