Understanding Council Presidencies in the EU
Explore the dynamics of Council Presidencies within the EU, featuring insights on decision-making procedures, good practices, and the roles of institutions. Gain practical advice from experts to maximize Council Presidencies effectively.
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Presentation Transcript
How to get the most out of Council Presidencies ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. EDF Webinar, 20 February 2020
Content of todays webinar .. Welcome and housekeeping rules Introduction: Decision-making procedures on EU level Work of the Council and its Presidencies Good practice example: the Latvian Presidency of the EU Questions and Answers
Speakers .. Marie Denninghaus, EDF Policy Coordinator Gunta Anca, EDF Secretary Moderator: Naomi Mabita EDF Communications Assistant
Practical information & housekeeping rules Recording of webinar and transcript Captioning/Sign Language Interpretation Question box for questions Use from a mobile device/ phone access
Introduction: Decision- making procedures on EU level
Marie Denninghaus EDF Policy Coordinator
Structure of the EU institutions .. Council (Members States) Other institutions and bodies: Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) European Central Bank (ECB) European Court of Auditors (ECA) European External Action Service (EEAS) European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) European Committee of the Regions (CoR) European Investment Bank (EIB) European Ombudsman European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) Interinstitutional bodies Commission Parliament
Council, Council, and Council?! .. There are so many! Which Council are we talking about? 1. Formerly known as Council of Ministers , meets in different policy- related configurations; rotating Presidency Council of the the EU 2. European Council Meeting of Heads of State and Governments, takes high-level political decisions; Permanent President: Charles Michel 3. Council of Europe NOT an EU institution. An international organisation based in Strasbourg.
The Council of the EU .. Most powerful institution in the decision-making procedure Also the least transparent one Council = Member States!! Rotating Presidency every 6 months Permanent Representations of Member States in Brussels
EU decision-making procedure - simplified .. Commission proposal Parliament position Council position (General Approach) Compromise agreement Trilogue negotiations
What should you remember? .. Council = Member States!! Forget the Council of Europe! Council usually has the last word
Work of the Council and its Presidencies
Why a rotating Presidency? And what about the President of the European Council? .. Rotating every 6 months Trios setting up longer-term political vision (since Lisbon Treaty 2009) Presidency chairs meetings at every level; neutral broker Current presidency: Croatia President of the European Council: provides a face to the institution, more continuity
Upcoming Presidencies .. Country Timing Croatia January-June 2020 Germany July -December 2020 Portugal January-June 2021 Slovenia July-December 2021 France January-June 2022 Czech Republic July- December 2022 Sweden January-June 2023
Working with the Presidencies .. Start early! Now already planning 2021-22 Use national contacts and influence national ministries to set agenda Be pro-active and suggest items for Presidency Programme Ensure concrete outcomes, e.g. Council Conclusions Meet with relevant national actors
Useful websites: general information .. Website of the Council general information about the institutions, decision-makering, policy areas, etc. Document register of the Council request documents that are not published (yet) EU Legislative Observatory (OEIL) status of decison- making procedures, names of Rapporteurs, etc.
Good practice example: The Latvian Presidency of the Council in 2015
Gunta Anca EDF Secretary
Thank you! Marie Denninghaus Policy Coordinator marie.denninghaus@edf-feph.org - www.edf-feph.org @edfaccess
