In this article, We learn about "Council of the European Union".Let's Go!
In the Council of the European Union, government ministers from each EU country meet to discuss, revise and pass laws, and coordinate policies.
It is also informally known as Council of the European Union.
The EU Council defines the overall political direction and priorities of the EU .
It is not one of the EU legislatures, so it does not negotiate or pass EU laws.
Instead, it sets out the EU's policy agenda , traditionally identifying concerns and actions required by adopting 'conclusions' during European Council meetings.
Ministers have the power
to commit their governments to take the actions agreed at the meeting.
Together with the European Parliament, the Council is the main decision-making body of the European Union
.
Council of the European Union should not be confused with:
- European Council: Quarterly summit, EU leaders meet to determine the general direction of EU policymaking
- European Commission: Not an EU institution at all
What does the council do?
- Negotiate and adopt EU laws together with the European Parliament based on proposals from the European Commission
- CoordinatesEU national policies
- Developing EU Foreign and Security Policy in accordance with European Council Guidelines
- Conclude agreements
- Adopt the annual EU budget with the European Parliament
between the EU and other countries or international organizations
How is the EU Council structured?
Members of the European Council are the heads of state or government of the 27 EU member states, the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission.
The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy will also participate in European Council meetings where foreign affairs issues are discussed.
The Council of the European Union has no fixed members.
Instead, the Council meets in 10 different formats, each corresponding to the policy area being discussed.
Depending on the configuration, each country will send a minister responsible for that policy area.
For example, when a meeting of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council ("Ecofin Council") is held, the finance ministers of each country will attend.
Who chairs the meeting?
The
Foreign Affairs Committee has a permanent chairman, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
All other Council meetings are chaired by the relevant minister of the country holding the EU Presidency.
For example, any Environment Council meeting during the Estonian Presidency will be chaired by the Estonian Environment Minister.
The General Committee ensures overall consistency - and is supported by the Committee of Permanent Representatives.
is composed of the permanent representatives of EU countries to the EU, who are actually ambassadors to EU countries.
Eurozone countries
Eurozone countries coordinate their economic policies through the Eurogroup, which consists of economic ministers and finance ministers.
It takes place the day before the Economic and Financial Affairs Committee meeting.
The agreement reached at the Eurogroup meeting will be formally decided on the next day in the Council, with only ministers from Eurozone countries voting on the issues.
How does the Council of the European Union work?
The
European Council takes decisions mainly through consensus.
If there is a vote, neither the President of the European Council nor the President of the European Commission will participate.
All
discussions and polls
are open.
To pass, the decision usually requires qualified majority :
- 55% of countries (currently 27 members, which means 15 countries )
- at least 65% of the total EU population
To block a decision , at least 4
countries (at least 35% of the total EU population)
It takes decisions by consensus or qualified majority in certain specific cases outlined in the EU treaties.
- S Sensitive topics like foreign policy and taxes require unanimous vote (all countries in favor).
- A Simple majority is necessary for procedural and administrative problems.
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