Council of Ministers
description
Transcript of Council of Ministers
Council of MinistersRui Sasaki
Hikariko Yazaki
Legislation Executive Mediator
Responsibilities and functions
The principal responsibility
Working with the commission and the EP.
Decided by QMV or Unanimity
legislation
The commissi
on
Council The EP
The act is adopted
The ordinary legislative procedure
1. only developing proposal of commission
2. The EP has important power about legislation
Limitation
•Before the Lisbon treaty•After the Lisbon treaty
•15•30
directive
•150•50regulatio
n
•50•5
decision
Commission the principal institution of EU working with committees.
Council foreign and defense policy
executive
In the national representatives meet, council has served the function of developing mutual understanding.
The ability to compromise in negotiation is prerequisite
Mediator
Meeting in many different formations.
The number of formations
composition
December 1999
Over20 June 200216 9
GAERC (the General Affairs and External Relations Council) foreign policy and eternal trade policy initiation and coordination Operation of the EC
composition
General Affairs
Foreign Affairs
General Affairs Foreign Affairs Economic and Financial Affairs Justice and Home Affairs Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer
Affairs Competitiveness Transports, Telecommunication and Energy Agriculture and Fisheries Environment Education, Youth and Culture
composition
formal meeting in an average year 100 (117 in 2008) normally held in Brussels but only April, June, October→Luxembourg Foreign Affairs and General Affairs meet the most
frequently →one meeting per month start at 10:00 a.m., finish at 6:00 p.m. or
7:00p.m. Informal meeting 50
meetings
The Committee of Permanent Representatives Co-ordinator of Council business, fixer and
trouble-shooter COREPER I political agendas COREPER II techinal policy
COREPER
they assists and prepares the work of Council of Ministers and COREEPER.
Council Committees composed of national officials have as task providing advice to the Council working parties carry out detailed analyses of commission proposal for legislation
Committees and working parties
Administratively supports work of the council
3500 staffs
responsibility serve council machinery
works closely with council presidency
General Secretariat
Council Presidency Hierarchical Structure Decision Making Procedures
Operation of the Council
The Rotation System Task of Presidency Advantages & Disadvantages
Operation of the Council-1Council Presidency
Rotation SystemUp to Lisbon Treaty, 6-month rotation system
is used which is called troika Lisbon Treaty supports and strengthens this
system
Operation of the Council-1Council Presidency
Presidency is held for 18 months by groups of 3 member states, with each of the states assuming the lead for 6 months. The groups are assembled and the states assume the lead position with this order.
Task of Presidency1. To Arrange and to chair most council
meetings2. To build a consensus for initiative3. To offer leadership4. To ensure continuity and consistency of
policy development
Operation of the Council-1Council Presidency
1. To Arrange and to chair most council meetings
2. To build a consensus for initiativeIt negotiated with member states, Commission
and EP.Sometimes they use QMV.
3. To offer leadershipIt can also involve attempting to prioritize new issues.4. To ensure continuity and consistency of policy
development The important mechanism used for this purpose is
troika.5. To represent the council dealings with outside
bodiesOutside bodies sometimes mean outside of EU.
Advantages and disadvantagesAdsPrestigePresidency can do more things than othersThere’s leeway for bringing council positions
closer to positions of presidency
Operation of the Council-1Council Presidency
DisadsHeavy administrative burdens that are
attatched to the job.Presidency can bring issues closer to own
positionThe blow to esteem and standing that is
incurred when it is a poor presidency
Ministers •Foreign Affairs•Ecofin Council
COREPER •COREPER1•COREPER2
Working Parties •Committees
Operation of the Council-2Hierarchical Structure
The First stage; working parties and CommitteesInitial examination of the text.70 % of issues are solved The second stage; reference of working party
documents to COREPER15-20% are resolved The third stage; Ministerial level, and formal
adoption5% are resolved
Operation of the Council-2Hierarchical Structure
2 types of items in Ministerial level meeting; A-pointItems that are agreed in working parties or COREPER. B-pointItems that are not agreed in neither of parties.
Operation of the Council-2Hierarchical Structure
Observation of Ministerial meetings Variation Some items are general, while others are
specialized Most items fall thanks to competence of
ministers Some items include administrative matters
Operation of the Council-2Hierarchical Structure
Taking decisionsBy Unanimity (foreign, defense, enlargement,
tax) 90% Qualified Majority Voting 10~15% Simple Majority Voting
Operation of the Council-3Decision Making Procedures
The Conduct of meeting; Working party: 100 people COREPER: 150 people Ministerial level: 150 people, sometimes
Chaotic Presidency has key roles in fixing agenda
Operation of the Council-3Decision Making Procedures
Informal process and relationship Lunch/Dinner (Ministers and translators) Requested breaks Between meetings (Mails, letters, phones)
Operation of the Council-3Decision Making Procedures
Why does EU need Council of ministers in its organization?
Do you think power of the council will increase or decrease in the future?
What do you think of informal meetings?
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage?lang=en
Question