The Presidency’s relations with the other institutions The European Parliament (1)

The Presidency’s relations with the other institutions

The European Parliament (1)

● The presidency presents its programme to the EP at the beginning of its term of office

● At the end of the term, it reports to the Parliament on progress achieved.

Each of these interventions is followed by a debate

Special preparation is needed● complexity coordination● huge overload to the staff● special training for the preparation● AGRI + FISH + ENVI = 3 x 2 occasions „during” the PRES



● The President of the European Council submits an oral report to the EP following the meeting of the EC

● (Yearly written report)

● Plenary sittings: MRD – no tasks. (MFA – yes)

● Not compulsory occasions:

At formal sitting of the EP on the occasion of visits by Heads of State or Government, the Presidency may be represented

The President of the EC does not make any statement on these occasions, but is invited to the meal accompanies such visits

There may be private meetings between the PRES and the Heads of State or Government visiting the Parliament.

● PRES is the chair of the CWG, not the representative of the Hungarian view. (Compromise or national interests?)



● Committees: ??? Lisbon

Exchange of views (sectorial) – relevant EP committees

The PRES is invited to most EP committees

The minister makes a brief statement and answers questions on matters within his field.

● The GSC assist in preparing these statements ● Practice is one EoV, but increasingly some

committees want two EoV’s



● Trialogues:

Linked to specific issues

PRES of the EC, Commissioner, president or vice president of the EP, and the chairperson of the relevant EP committee, as well as some officials.

● budgetary matters, ● horizontal issues, ● management of procedures

The rule of co-decision procedure: the negotiation of compromise texts for reaching agreement on proposal for legislative acts

Strasbourg – periodically: informal tiralogue – to raise general policy questions, question of the operation of inter-institutional relations


GSC (1)

close cooperation

helping hand of the PRES

advisor

information source

experienced in tactics reaching consensus

represents the EC as well● it thinks that the position of the PRES is against the

Treaty● obstruct the agreement (in case of weak majority)


GSC (2)

writes report from the meetings

spreading the documents to the EC and the COREPER

spreading the documents to the delegations ● the PRES papers as well

involves itself and the PRES in the preparatory part of the papers

● responsibility of the PRES (!)

without green-light, the GSC will not forward any documents


Legal service of the Council

EP, COM, EC has an own LS● sometimes they are in contrast with each other

PRES has to ask the LS to take part in a meeting if it is necessary

Personal relations are crucial better to discuss not in front of the other MS

Their opinion is decisive (better to take into consideration)

If the different LS’s views are in contrast HU legal experts


Other Institutions

● Joint parliamentary committees in the context of agreements with third States (HR, IZL)

● EC – draw up the programme

GSC

● Court of Justice

● Court of Auditors

● Committee of the Regions and the Economic and Social Committee

● PRES is often asked to participate at conferences

COP, COB-COSAC, COR

● National Bodies


Media

● The Presidency should be the first speaker in a press conference after a meeting an expert has to write the press release during

the meeting

fast overview from the speaker

no time for deeper evaluation

chairperson has to inform the media about the timing of the press conference

PRES in the decision making system of the EU

● The role of the PRES has changed chairmanship agenda-setting brokerage representation leadership

● PRES: Separate Body in the Body agreements running the negotiations daily functioning of the EU

The role of the PRES - Chairmanship

● managing the agenda● chairing the meetings and the

discussions● to call the Council Meetings● planning the timing of the meeting● preparing the aganda● spreading the papers

efficient

effective

The role of the PRES – Agenda setting

● PRES sets up the agenda● Items are inherited from the previous

PRES’s

● priority areas / lists 150-200 legislative acts are adopted (!)

● to control the rhythm of the negotiations (speed up or slow down)

● approach / focus / influence● items can be put on the freeze

The role of the PRES – Brokerage

● MS avoiding the open confrontation

● consensus finding

● solidarity – „no” voting – no target

● handling the minority

convincing or building in their approach

● PRES = neutral - honest broker

special relations, special interest

in reality: PRES seems to be neutral

open support of the minority is sticky

● PRES keeps certain information (!)

GSC summing up the positions of the MS, briefings etc.

helping hand in tactics, procedural and legal issues,

bilaterals to get know the borders of their compromise ability

complex information about the „team”

The role of the PRES – Representation

● negotiation in the name of the MS’s● representing the MS● EC is represented by the MS (mainly

in informal meetings)● PRES can negotiate with 3rd States

(candidates)● Represent the MS’s approved

positions flexibility for success

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!

Nándor BékiMinistry of Rural Development

1055. Budapest, Kossuth L. tér 11.E-mail: [email protected]

Tel.: +36 1 795-2001

The Presidency’s relations with the other institutions The European Parliament (1)

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