The EU government system: features of formation

The article examines the process of formation of the public administration system of the European Union (EU) as a unique integration phenomenon that combines elements of supranational and national governance into a single but dynamic, multi-level model. It is noted that, unlike the classical models of public administration inherent in sovereign states, the EU public administration system does not have any established constitutional foundations but is formed through the interaction of EU institutions, national governments, legal norms, administrative practices, and value principles laid down in the founding treaties of the European Union. The defining characteristics of such a system are openness, efficiency, transparency, respect for the principle of subsidiarity, ensuring the rule of law, equal access to administrative services, and a citizen-oriented approach. The paper specializes in conceptualizing the European Administrative Area (EAA) as an integration platform for converging the EU member states’ administrative practices and legal standards. The author emphasizes that the EEA serves as an informal acquis communautaire and is a factor in harmonizing national governance systems. The article analyzes the evolution of administrative interaction between the levels of government – from intergovernmental agreements to developed mechanisms of delegation of powers and the agency model, which is actively used in European governance. The hybrid nature of the EU as a political and administrative structure that combines the features of a federal state, and an international organization is also considered. Special emphasis is placed on the theoretical and practical significance of the EU experience for Ukraine. The article argues that studying and adapting the European approach to forming the public administration system in the context of Ukraine’s European integration course is crucial. Implementing EU principles and practices will help strengthen the state’s institutional capacity, create transparent interaction mechanisms between the government and citizens, and ensure the integrity and accountability of governance structures. Given the long experience of transformations in the field of public administration in Europe, it is crucial for Ukraine to apply the best European practices, not by blindly copying them but through a reasonable combination of national institutional and cultural characteristics. Keywords: European Union, public administration, European integration, reforms, quality of public administration, European standards, good governance, public administration, administrative model.