Relations between the Council and the Parliament

Guy Milton

Council of the EU

Budapest, February 10 & 11, 2010

Responsibilities of the Presidency

• extensive• important• evolving

Responsibilities of the Presidency

• Plenary sessions• EP Committees• Delegations and Joint Parliamentary

Committees• Council bodies• Legislative procedures• Co-decision• Budget

Plenary sessions

• Why ? to give statements to participate in debates to respond to oral questions with debate to participate in question time

Plenary sessions

• When ?Strasbourg plenaries (Tuesday/Wednesday)Brussels mini plenaries

• Agenda ?Role of Conference of Presidents

Plenary sessions

• Who ?one minister acts as contact pointothers may participate in specific debates

• Support ?experts needed briefing provided by GSC

Plenary sessions

• Beginning and ending the Presidency

EP Committees

• Presentation of Presidency agenda• Presentation of Presidency achievements• Possible appearances during Presidency

EP Delegations and Joint Parliamentary Committees

• Fewer obligations - effects of Lisbon Treaty• ACP–EU parliamentary Assembly – second half

of year

Council Bodies

• General Affairs Group• Written EP questions• Information to COREPER and Council

Legislative Procedures

• Reduction in number• Consultation of EP: Council Secretariat• International Agreements

Co-decision

• Considerably extended by Lisbon Treaty• Significant investment of time• Role of Council Secretariat

Budget

• New procedure (Conciliation)• 12 month role of Presidency• Role of Council Secretariat