Yesterday we noted that the Stability or Convergance programmes and National Reform Programmes 2011 from Belgium, Bulgaria, Hungary and Finland had been posted on the web pages of DG Economic and Financial Affairs (Ecfin) of the European Commission. In addition, there was the Stability programme of Slovenia.
EUROPE 2020
In this blog post we look for possible updates on the website of the Europe 2020 strategy. No updates are visible on the EU2020 front page.
You do not find them even under latest documents, but if you are inspired enough to search for member states' documents, you can find the first national programmes stashed away on the Europe 2020 website.
I do not know why the presentation has to be as discreet as this.
I do not understand why we find a slightly different set of documents on the EU2020 pages than the ones posted on the Ecfin pages.
Anyway, here are the six programmes you find if you look for member states' documents through the Europe 2020 pages right now.
Germany
The German National Reform Programme, in German:
Nationales Reformprogramm Deutschland 2011; Berlin 6. April 2011 (about 46 pages)
Bulgaria
The Bulgarian Convergence Programme and National Reform Programme, in Bulgarian:
(Bulgaria: Convergence Programme 2011-2014)
(Bulgaria: National Reform Programme 2011-2015)
Belgium
Belgium's National Reform Programme has been posted on the EU2020 website in French and in Dutch:
Programme national de réforme Belgique 2011; 15 avril 2011 (128 pages)
Nationaal Hervormingsprogramma België 2011; 15 april 2011 (121 pages)
Hungary
Both the Hungarian Convergence Programme and the National Reform Programme have been posted on the Europe 2020 web pages, in English:
Convergence Programme of Hungary 2011 – 2015 Based on the Széll Kálmán plan; Budapest, April 2011
National Reform Programme of Hungary Based on the Széll Kálmán Plan; April 2011 (86 pages)
ECFIN
Nine programmes in all have been posted on the Ecfin website (DG Economic and Financial Affairs).
Let us just fill in the missing programmes and versions.
Belgium
The Stability Programme from Belgium is not yet available in English, but we have versions in the national languages, Dutch and French:
Het Stabiliteitsprogramma van België (2011-2014); version 14 April 2011
Le programme de stabilité de la Belgique; version 14 April 2011
Slovenia
The Stability Programme of Slovenia is available, in Slovenian:
Program stabilnosti Dopolnitev 2011; Ljubljana, april 2011
Finland
SP
The Stability Programme of Finland is available in English, Finnish and Swedish:
Stability programme update for Finland 2011
Suomen vakausohjelman tarkistus 2011
Uppdatering av Finlands stabilitetsprogram
NRP
The National Reform Programme (NRP) of Finland has been given another heading, with the English and Finnish versions posted on the Ecfin page:
Europe 2020 Strategy – Finland's National Programme Spring 2011
Eurooppa 2020 -strategia – Suomen kansallinen ohjelma, kevät 2011
We can find the missing Swedish version through the web pages of the Finnish Ministry of Finance, concluding a full set:
Europa 2020-strategin – Finlands nationella program, våren 2011
Missing links
Even after combining the EU2020 and Ecfin websites, we still have no programmes from 21 out of 27 EU member states, and only one programme each from two of the six countries posted on the websites of the European Commission. Only Hungary and Finland offer both programmes in English.
A few working days remain until the end of April, when the programmes are due at the latest.
Ralf Grahn
P.S. Jon Worth, one of the best known and most widely read Eurobloggers, has returned with a number of interesting blog posts within a few days. Highly recommended.
Showing posts with label Slovenia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Slovenia. Show all posts
Saturday, 23 April 2011
Monday, 7 June 2010
EU: Stability programme Slovenia
The current market turmoil and the end-of-the-eurozone prophecies raise two questions in my mind: Are the prescriptions given in the latest spate of Council opinions wrong? If not, do the governments lack credibility when it comes to restoring sustainable growth and budget discipline?
With this blog series we invite readers to judge the Council opinions and the prospects for corrective action for themselves.
Framework
The economic policies of the EU member states are regarded as a matter of common concern (Article 121(1) TFEU). With markets suddenly distrustful and many economists appearing as doomsday prophets, the economic policies have become a real concern – for everyone.
Stability programmes for eurozone countries on the one hand, and convergence programmes for member states still without the euro on the other hand, are part of the ongoing dialogue between the European Union and the member states.
There are some background remarks on economic policy coordination in the European Union in the blog post EU: Useful stability and convergence programmes? (3 June 2010). For a fuller view, you can read the provisions on economic policy in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union as well as the relevant protocols.
Slovenia
The Council issues its assessments and recommendations individually for each member state.
Now in turn is the EU Council opinion on the stability programme of Slovenia, the first of the new member states to enter the eurozone (2007):
COUNCIL OPINION on the updated stability programme of Slovenia, 2009-2013; published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) 3.6.2010 C 144/22
Even if it has taken the European Union more than a month to publish the Council opinions officially in the OJEU, they concern the economic prospects in the medium term. As such, they should be useful with regard to our initial questions.
Economic situation
On 26 April 2010 the Council of the European Union examined the updated stability programme of Slovenia, which covers the period 2009 to 2013. The Council began its assessment with a brief description of the economic situation:
Council recommendation
After a detailed discussion, and in the light of the recommendation under Article 126(7) TFEU of 2 December 2009, the Council of the European Union invited Slovenia to:
Eurozone financial stability
On 31 May the European Central Bank (ECB) published its Financial Stability Review June 2010, which assesses the stability of the euro area financial system both with regard to the role it plays in facilitating economic processes and with respect to its ability to prevent adverse shocks from having inordinately disruptive impacts (page 7).
The Financial Stability Review (225 pages) offers a view of the inter-related financial markets and the consolidation measures of eurozone governments.
Naturally, Slovenia is represented in the unofficial Euro Group, which plays an important part in the efforts to restore fiscal stability in the euro area. The Euro Group president is Jean-Claude Juncker, the prime minister of Luxembourg, where the next meeting is going to take place today, Monday 7 June 2010.
Ralf Grahn
With this blog series we invite readers to judge the Council opinions and the prospects for corrective action for themselves.
Framework
The economic policies of the EU member states are regarded as a matter of common concern (Article 121(1) TFEU). With markets suddenly distrustful and many economists appearing as doomsday prophets, the economic policies have become a real concern – for everyone.
Stability programmes for eurozone countries on the one hand, and convergence programmes for member states still without the euro on the other hand, are part of the ongoing dialogue between the European Union and the member states.
There are some background remarks on economic policy coordination in the European Union in the blog post EU: Useful stability and convergence programmes? (3 June 2010). For a fuller view, you can read the provisions on economic policy in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union as well as the relevant protocols.
Slovenia
The Council issues its assessments and recommendations individually for each member state.
Now in turn is the EU Council opinion on the stability programme of Slovenia, the first of the new member states to enter the eurozone (2007):
COUNCIL OPINION on the updated stability programme of Slovenia, 2009-2013; published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) 3.6.2010 C 144/22
Even if it has taken the European Union more than a month to publish the Council opinions officially in the OJEU, they concern the economic prospects in the medium term. As such, they should be useful with regard to our initial questions.
Economic situation
On 26 April 2010 the Council of the European Union examined the updated stability programme of Slovenia, which covers the period 2009 to 2013. The Council began its assessment with a brief description of the economic situation:
In the years preceding the crisis, Slovenia enjoyed solid economic growth driven by buoyant exports and investment. Rapid expansion ended in the last quarter of 2008 when the Slovenian economy was hit hard and rather abruptly by the global crisis, chiefly through the trade channel given Slovenia's high degree of openness. The economic slowdown after a phase of emerging risks of overheating and competitiveness losses is bringing about some adjustment of the economy: since the end of 2008, the inflation differential with the euro area and the external deficit have both gradually decreased, with the latter approaching balance in 2009.
As a result of the economic downturn, in conjunction with recovery measures taken in line with the European Economic Recovery Plan (EERP) and strong in-built expenditure dynamics, the Slovenian budgetary position deteriorated rapidly. The sharp increase in the general government deficit, from 1.8 % of GDP in 2008, to an estimated 5.7 % in 2009 led the Council to decide, on 2 December 2009, on the existence of an excessive deficit in Slovenia, with a deadline for the correction of this situation by 2013. Besides returning to sound public finances, including through further reforms of the pension system, key challenges for the Slovenian economy are strengthening its resilience and regaining competitiveness so as to be able to benefit fully from the global economic recovery. This requires a better alignment of wage and productivity developments and the implementation of structural reforms.
Council recommendation
After a detailed discussion, and in the light of the recommendation under Article 126(7) TFEU of 2 December 2009, the Council of the European Union invited Slovenia to:
(i) rigorously implement the foreseen consolidation measures in 2010 and bring the deficit below the 3 % of GDP reference value by 2013 as planned by fully specifying, adopting and implementing the indicated expenditure- containment measures in line with the average annual fiscal effort recommended by the Council Article 126(7), while standing ready to adopt further consolidation measures in case risks related to the fact that the macroeconomic scenario of the programme is more favourable than the scenario underpinning the Article 126(7) Recommendation materialise;
(ii) pursue efforts to enhance expenditure control and the enforceable nature of the multi-annual budgetary plans and improve public spending efficiency and effectiveness;
(iii) in view of the significant projected increase in age-related expenditure, further reform the pension system and set a more ambitious MTO [medium-term objective] that takes sufficiently into account the implicit liabilities related to ageing.
Eurozone financial stability
On 31 May the European Central Bank (ECB) published its Financial Stability Review June 2010, which assesses the stability of the euro area financial system both with regard to the role it plays in facilitating economic processes and with respect to its ability to prevent adverse shocks from having inordinately disruptive impacts (page 7).
The Financial Stability Review (225 pages) offers a view of the inter-related financial markets and the consolidation measures of eurozone governments.
Naturally, Slovenia is represented in the unofficial Euro Group, which plays an important part in the efforts to restore fiscal stability in the euro area. The Euro Group president is Jean-Claude Juncker, the prime minister of Luxembourg, where the next meeting is going to take place today, Monday 7 June 2010.
Ralf Grahn
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
Lisbon Treaty & European Council: President’s job
In these troubled times, new job openings are scarce. Have you thought about becoming President of the European Council?
If the EU Treaty of Lisbon enters into force, the heads of state or government of the member states are going to fill a new post, that of the President of the European Council. We look at the official job description and look at how openly our leaders have prepared the position and the perks.
***
Lisbon Treaty
Article 15(6) of the amended Treaty on European Union describes the tasks of the new President (OJEU 9.5.2008 C 115/23):
Article 15(6) TEU
6. The President of the European Council:
(a) shall chair it and drive forward its work;
(b) shall ensure the preparation and continuity of the work of the European Council in cooperation with the President of the Commission, and on the basis of the work of the General Affairs Council;
(c) shall endeavour to facilitate cohesion and consensus within the European Council;
(d) shall present a report to the European Parliament after each of the meetings of the European Council.
The President of the European Council shall, at his level and in that capacity, ensure the external representation of the Union on issues concerning its common foreign and security policy, without prejudice to the powers of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
The President of the European Council shall not hold a national office.
***
Liaisons
In addition, as President of the European Council you would have to liaise with the new General Affairs Council (GAC) and the Commission:
Article 16(6) TEU, second subparagraph
The General Affairs Council shall ensure consistency in the work of the different Council configurations. It shall prepare and ensure the follow-up to meetings of the European Council, in liaison with the President of the European Council and the Commission.
***
Emergency meetings
The leisurely pace of four annual meetings may be broken if developments on the international scene turn for the worse. You may have to convene an extra meeting:
Article 26(1) TEU, second subparagraph
If international developments so require, the President of the European Council shall convene an extraordinary meeting of the European Council in order to define the strategic lines of the Union's policy in the face of such developments.
***
Convention
If the European Council decides to call a Convention to examine treaty amendments, your job is to send the invitations:
Article 48(3) TEU, in part
3. If the European Council, after consulting the European Parliament and the Commission, adopts by a simple majority a decision in favour of examining the proposed amendments, the President of the European Council shall convene a Convention composed of representatives of the national Parliaments, of the Heads of State or Government of the Member States, of the European Parliament and of the Commission. ---
***
Package deal
If you apply for this prestigious job, to become a member of the European Council (without a vote), you will have to convince at least a qualified majority of the current members that you are their man or woman.
But besides your personal qualities, you will have to fit into a larger pattern. In Declaration 6 the heads of state or government (intergovernmental conference) agreed on the following guidance for the (s)election of the President of the European Council. Note that political affiliation and gender are not mentioned among the relevant factors of diversity (OJEU 9.5.2008 C 115/338):
6. Declaration on Article 15(5) and (6), Article 17(6) and (7) and Article 18 of the Treaty on European Union
In choosing the persons called upon to hold the offices of President of the European Council, President of the Commission and High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, due account is to be taken of the need to respect the geographical and demographic diversity of the Union and its Member States.
***
Taking over
When you take over the reins, you may need to know how your buddies have planned the transition:
8. Declaration on practical measures to be taken upon the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon as regards the Presidency of the European Council and of the Foreign Affairs Council
In the event that the Treaty of Lisbon enters into force later than 1 January 2009, the Conference requests the competent authorities of the Member State holding the six-monthly Presidency of the Council at that time, on the one hand, and the person elected President of the European Council and the person appointed High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, on the other hand, to take the necessary specific measures, in consultation with the following six-monthly Presidency, to allow an efficient handover of the material and organisational aspects of the Presidency of the European Council and of the Foreign Affairs Council.
***
Salary and perks
According to Article 243 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), your salary and perks will be decided by your peers:
Article 243 TFEU
(ex Article 210 TEC)
The Council shall determine the salaries, allowances and pensions of the President of the European Council, the President of the Commission, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Members of the Commission, the Presidents, Members and Registrars of the Court of Justice of the European Union, and the Secretary-General of the Council. It shall also
determine any payment to be made instead of remuneration.
***
Preparatory work: Start
You might be interested in how the implementation of the Treaty of Lisbon is moving along. Your first source of information is naturally what the European Council has decided in public. First you encounter the initial decision right after the signing of the treaty. The Presidency Conclusions reassuringly tell you that on 14 December 2007, the European Council agreed that it will take stock of progress on necessary preparatory work when appropriate so as to ensure the full functioning of the Treaty as soon as it enters into force. It underlines the comprehensive nature of this exercise and the consequent need for a single framework as well as political guidance at the highest level. Technical work will start in Brussels in January on the basis of a work programme which will be presented under the authority of the incoming President of the European Council [Slovenia].
***
Follow-up
The following tidbits are offered to you and the rest of the public half a year later, in the 13 June 2008 report by the Slovenian Council Presidency to the 18 and 19 June 2008 European Council (document 10650/08). This is what it has to say about your coming job with regard to the needed new Rules of Procedure of the European Council:
Considerable progress was made on technical aspects of the European Council's Rules of Procedure; some other issues, related in particular to the preparation of European Council meetings, will require further work. A preliminary exchange of views focussed on the respective roles of those involved in the preparation of European Council meetings. There was broad support for the need for all of them to work closely together. A significant number of delegations underlined the need to ensure an adequate role in European Council meetings for the Head of State or Government of the Member State holding the Council presidency. These issues will require further work.
***
Up-to-date information
Having seen that further work is needed, you want fresh information on progress.
The December 2008 meeting of the European Council was mainly interested in Ireland. It also tried to envision the transition to the Lisbon Treaty with regard to the numbers of MEPs and Commissioners, as well as the nomination of the President of the Commission and the rest of the Commission.
It did, however, without preceding public discussion, offer a glimpse of its thoughts about the preparation of the decisions concerning your new job and other matters of interest (document 17271/1/08 REV 1 Annex 1). As you see, you are to be consulted, if elected:
Declaration of the European Council
Treaty of Lisbon – Transitional measures concerning the Presidency of the European Council and the Presidency of the Foreign Affairs Council
In the event that the Treaty of Lisbon enters into force at a date when a six-monthly Presidency of the Council has already begun, the European Council agrees that, as a matter of transition, in order to take into account the preparatory work and ensure harmonious continuity of work:
− the competent authorities of the Member State holding the six-monthly Presidency of the Council at that time will continue to chair all the remaining meetings of the Council and the European Council, as well as third-country meetings, until the end of the period of office;
− the following six-monthly Presidency of the Council will be in charge of taking the necessary specific measures relating to the organisational and material aspects of the Presidency of the European Council and of the Foreign Affairs Council during its period of office, in conformity with the Treaty. On these issues, close consultation will be established between this Presidency and the President (elect) of the European Council and the High Representative (designate) of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
***
Other matters
You may be interested in the nomination procedure, the public debate, the weighing of your merits and the decision making, before you are consulted about the organisational and material aspects of your office as President of the European Council.
Sorry, the best public information you are able to lay your hands on is yesterday’s response from Europe Direct, available with comments on the Grahnlaw blog (Lisbon Treaty implementation: State of play).
Why worry? If you don’t belong to the charmed circle readily informed about the real state of affairs, you have no chance of getting the job.
Ralf Grahn
If the EU Treaty of Lisbon enters into force, the heads of state or government of the member states are going to fill a new post, that of the President of the European Council. We look at the official job description and look at how openly our leaders have prepared the position and the perks.
***
Lisbon Treaty
Article 15(6) of the amended Treaty on European Union describes the tasks of the new President (OJEU 9.5.2008 C 115/23):
Article 15(6) TEU
6. The President of the European Council:
(a) shall chair it and drive forward its work;
(b) shall ensure the preparation and continuity of the work of the European Council in cooperation with the President of the Commission, and on the basis of the work of the General Affairs Council;
(c) shall endeavour to facilitate cohesion and consensus within the European Council;
(d) shall present a report to the European Parliament after each of the meetings of the European Council.
The President of the European Council shall, at his level and in that capacity, ensure the external representation of the Union on issues concerning its common foreign and security policy, without prejudice to the powers of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
The President of the European Council shall not hold a national office.
***
Liaisons
In addition, as President of the European Council you would have to liaise with the new General Affairs Council (GAC) and the Commission:
Article 16(6) TEU, second subparagraph
The General Affairs Council shall ensure consistency in the work of the different Council configurations. It shall prepare and ensure the follow-up to meetings of the European Council, in liaison with the President of the European Council and the Commission.
***
Emergency meetings
The leisurely pace of four annual meetings may be broken if developments on the international scene turn for the worse. You may have to convene an extra meeting:
Article 26(1) TEU, second subparagraph
If international developments so require, the President of the European Council shall convene an extraordinary meeting of the European Council in order to define the strategic lines of the Union's policy in the face of such developments.
***
Convention
If the European Council decides to call a Convention to examine treaty amendments, your job is to send the invitations:
Article 48(3) TEU, in part
3. If the European Council, after consulting the European Parliament and the Commission, adopts by a simple majority a decision in favour of examining the proposed amendments, the President of the European Council shall convene a Convention composed of representatives of the national Parliaments, of the Heads of State or Government of the Member States, of the European Parliament and of the Commission. ---
***
Package deal
If you apply for this prestigious job, to become a member of the European Council (without a vote), you will have to convince at least a qualified majority of the current members that you are their man or woman.
But besides your personal qualities, you will have to fit into a larger pattern. In Declaration 6 the heads of state or government (intergovernmental conference) agreed on the following guidance for the (s)election of the President of the European Council. Note that political affiliation and gender are not mentioned among the relevant factors of diversity (OJEU 9.5.2008 C 115/338):
6. Declaration on Article 15(5) and (6), Article 17(6) and (7) and Article 18 of the Treaty on European Union
In choosing the persons called upon to hold the offices of President of the European Council, President of the Commission and High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, due account is to be taken of the need to respect the geographical and demographic diversity of the Union and its Member States.
***
Taking over
When you take over the reins, you may need to know how your buddies have planned the transition:
8. Declaration on practical measures to be taken upon the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon as regards the Presidency of the European Council and of the Foreign Affairs Council
In the event that the Treaty of Lisbon enters into force later than 1 January 2009, the Conference requests the competent authorities of the Member State holding the six-monthly Presidency of the Council at that time, on the one hand, and the person elected President of the European Council and the person appointed High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, on the other hand, to take the necessary specific measures, in consultation with the following six-monthly Presidency, to allow an efficient handover of the material and organisational aspects of the Presidency of the European Council and of the Foreign Affairs Council.
***
Salary and perks
According to Article 243 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), your salary and perks will be decided by your peers:
Article 243 TFEU
(ex Article 210 TEC)
The Council shall determine the salaries, allowances and pensions of the President of the European Council, the President of the Commission, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Members of the Commission, the Presidents, Members and Registrars of the Court of Justice of the European Union, and the Secretary-General of the Council. It shall also
determine any payment to be made instead of remuneration.
***
Preparatory work: Start
You might be interested in how the implementation of the Treaty of Lisbon is moving along. Your first source of information is naturally what the European Council has decided in public. First you encounter the initial decision right after the signing of the treaty. The Presidency Conclusions reassuringly tell you that on 14 December 2007, the European Council agreed that it will take stock of progress on necessary preparatory work when appropriate so as to ensure the full functioning of the Treaty as soon as it enters into force. It underlines the comprehensive nature of this exercise and the consequent need for a single framework as well as political guidance at the highest level. Technical work will start in Brussels in January on the basis of a work programme which will be presented under the authority of the incoming President of the European Council [Slovenia].
***
Follow-up
The following tidbits are offered to you and the rest of the public half a year later, in the 13 June 2008 report by the Slovenian Council Presidency to the 18 and 19 June 2008 European Council (document 10650/08). This is what it has to say about your coming job with regard to the needed new Rules of Procedure of the European Council:
Considerable progress was made on technical aspects of the European Council's Rules of Procedure; some other issues, related in particular to the preparation of European Council meetings, will require further work. A preliminary exchange of views focussed on the respective roles of those involved in the preparation of European Council meetings. There was broad support for the need for all of them to work closely together. A significant number of delegations underlined the need to ensure an adequate role in European Council meetings for the Head of State or Government of the Member State holding the Council presidency. These issues will require further work.
***
Up-to-date information
Having seen that further work is needed, you want fresh information on progress.
The December 2008 meeting of the European Council was mainly interested in Ireland. It also tried to envision the transition to the Lisbon Treaty with regard to the numbers of MEPs and Commissioners, as well as the nomination of the President of the Commission and the rest of the Commission.
It did, however, without preceding public discussion, offer a glimpse of its thoughts about the preparation of the decisions concerning your new job and other matters of interest (document 17271/1/08 REV 1 Annex 1). As you see, you are to be consulted, if elected:
Declaration of the European Council
Treaty of Lisbon – Transitional measures concerning the Presidency of the European Council and the Presidency of the Foreign Affairs Council
In the event that the Treaty of Lisbon enters into force at a date when a six-monthly Presidency of the Council has already begun, the European Council agrees that, as a matter of transition, in order to take into account the preparatory work and ensure harmonious continuity of work:
− the competent authorities of the Member State holding the six-monthly Presidency of the Council at that time will continue to chair all the remaining meetings of the Council and the European Council, as well as third-country meetings, until the end of the period of office;
− the following six-monthly Presidency of the Council will be in charge of taking the necessary specific measures relating to the organisational and material aspects of the Presidency of the European Council and of the Foreign Affairs Council during its period of office, in conformity with the Treaty. On these issues, close consultation will be established between this Presidency and the President (elect) of the European Council and the High Representative (designate) of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
***
Other matters
You may be interested in the nomination procedure, the public debate, the weighing of your merits and the decision making, before you are consulted about the organisational and material aspects of your office as President of the European Council.
Sorry, the best public information you are able to lay your hands on is yesterday’s response from Europe Direct, available with comments on the Grahnlaw blog (Lisbon Treaty implementation: State of play).
Why worry? If you don’t belong to the charmed circle readily informed about the real state of affairs, you have no chance of getting the job.
Ralf Grahn
Wednesday, 11 March 2009
European Parliament: Hearing the European Council
The Treaty of Lisbon would formally make the European Council into one of the institutions of the European Union. Article 13 of the amended Treaty on European Union (TEU) mentions the European Council right after the European Parliament, and Article 15 TEU contains the main provisions on its tasks, membership and President.
This leads to other changes at treaty level and below.
***
Current treaty
The fourth paragraph of Article 197 of the Treaty establishing the European Community (TEC) lays down the principle that the European Parliament can hear the Council (which has both legislative and executive powers), but it does not mention the European Council:
“The Council shall be heard by the European Parliament in accordance with the conditions laid down by the Council in its Rules of Procedure.”
***
Lisbon Treaty
The corresponding provision of the Treaty of Lisbon is the third paragraph of Article 230 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). The Council and its Rules of Procedure remain as before, but the European Council and its Rules of Procedure are added:
“The European Council and the Council shall be heard by the European Parliament in accordance with the conditions laid down in the Rules of Procedure of the European Council and those of the Council.”
***
New Rules of Procedure
In practice, the head of government (or state) of and incoming Council Presidency presents the work programme before the European Parliament and then lauds the achievements during the six months at the helm before handing over the Presidency to the next member state.
Article 230 TFEU means that the European Council needs its own Rules of Procedure. Reporting from the meetings will become the task of the semi-permanent President, according to Article 15(6) TEU.
Preparatory work is needed to implement the Lisbon Treaty, should it enter into force.
***
Council information
The only more or less comprehensive public EU report emanating from the Council on preparatory work seems to be almost nine months old.
It is the ‘Progress report from the Presidency to the European Council ─ Preparatory work in view of the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty’ from the Slovenian Council Presidency to the European Council 19 and 20 June 2008 (Council document 10650/08, 13 June 2008):
http://register.consilium.europa.eu/pdf/en/08/st10/st10650.en08.pdf
The Progress Report, which sampled a number of questions from Slovenia’s earlier and unpublished list, noted that a number of issues related to the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty will require some form of agreement with the European Parliament (point 4).
Point 11 summarised the work undertaken on the Council’s and the European Council’s Rules of Procedure:
11. Rules of Procedure of European Council and Council (Articles 235 and 240 TFEU)
On the basis that the Council's Rules of Procedure should only be modified to the extent that this was needed as a result of the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, Permanent Representatives examined possible amendments to the existing Rules. Broad consensus was reached, subject to the inclusion of several provisions related to the division of labour between the GAC and the FAC and the preparation of European Council meetings, which it was agreed would be examined at a later stage.
Considerable progress was made on technical aspects of the European Council's Rules of Procedure; some other issues, related in particular to the preparation of European Council meetings, will require further work. A preliminary exchange of views focussed on the respective roles of those involved in the preparation of European Council meetings. There was broad support for the need for all of them to work closely together. A significant number of delegations underlined the need to ensure an adequate role in European Council meetings for the Head of State or Government of the Member State holding the Council presidency. These issues will require further work.
***
Preparatory work, progress reports and draft proposals are needed.
Ralf Grahn
This leads to other changes at treaty level and below.
***
Current treaty
The fourth paragraph of Article 197 of the Treaty establishing the European Community (TEC) lays down the principle that the European Parliament can hear the Council (which has both legislative and executive powers), but it does not mention the European Council:
“The Council shall be heard by the European Parliament in accordance with the conditions laid down by the Council in its Rules of Procedure.”
***
Lisbon Treaty
The corresponding provision of the Treaty of Lisbon is the third paragraph of Article 230 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). The Council and its Rules of Procedure remain as before, but the European Council and its Rules of Procedure are added:
“The European Council and the Council shall be heard by the European Parliament in accordance with the conditions laid down in the Rules of Procedure of the European Council and those of the Council.”
***
New Rules of Procedure
In practice, the head of government (or state) of and incoming Council Presidency presents the work programme before the European Parliament and then lauds the achievements during the six months at the helm before handing over the Presidency to the next member state.
Article 230 TFEU means that the European Council needs its own Rules of Procedure. Reporting from the meetings will become the task of the semi-permanent President, according to Article 15(6) TEU.
Preparatory work is needed to implement the Lisbon Treaty, should it enter into force.
***
Council information
The only more or less comprehensive public EU report emanating from the Council on preparatory work seems to be almost nine months old.
It is the ‘Progress report from the Presidency to the European Council ─ Preparatory work in view of the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty’ from the Slovenian Council Presidency to the European Council 19 and 20 June 2008 (Council document 10650/08, 13 June 2008):
http://register.consilium.europa.eu/pdf/en/08/st10/st10650.en08.pdf
The Progress Report, which sampled a number of questions from Slovenia’s earlier and unpublished list, noted that a number of issues related to the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty will require some form of agreement with the European Parliament (point 4).
Point 11 summarised the work undertaken on the Council’s and the European Council’s Rules of Procedure:
11. Rules of Procedure of European Council and Council (Articles 235 and 240 TFEU)
On the basis that the Council's Rules of Procedure should only be modified to the extent that this was needed as a result of the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, Permanent Representatives examined possible amendments to the existing Rules. Broad consensus was reached, subject to the inclusion of several provisions related to the division of labour between the GAC and the FAC and the preparation of European Council meetings, which it was agreed would be examined at a later stage.
Considerable progress was made on technical aspects of the European Council's Rules of Procedure; some other issues, related in particular to the preparation of European Council meetings, will require further work. A preliminary exchange of views focussed on the respective roles of those involved in the preparation of European Council meetings. There was broad support for the need for all of them to work closely together. A significant number of delegations underlined the need to ensure an adequate role in European Council meetings for the Head of State or Government of the Member State holding the Council presidency. These issues will require further work.
***
Preparatory work, progress reports and draft proposals are needed.
Ralf Grahn
Friday, 11 July 2008
EU Council presidency: Slovenia and France – Two media approaches
Until the end of June, Slovenia held the rotating EU Council presidency. For a news consumer it was easy to register, and during the presidency all the press releases dropped into my e-mail without further trouble. It was then easy to scan each headline and the first lines to see, if the e-mail required further attention (tied as it is to current writing activities).
The same methods have worked during previous presidencies.
The only troubling thing was the Slovenian use of long and bureaucratic headlines, which meant that the e-mail headline seldom said anything about the contents; only the second headline (of the press release) did that.
Since the beginning of July things have changed – for the worse.
France has high ambitions, but things have turned out messy:
France has accreditation for journalists and even for select NGO participants, but no simple system for interested citizens to keep up to date. According to some reports, journalists have encountered difficulties trying to register.
The French EU Council presidency promises a daily newsletter, but if they have sent one, I have missed it.
The French EU Council presidency offers updates on events via a reader, but this has meant that my Google reader is swamped a few times daily with scores of events (66 at the last count), old and new. Am I supposed to wade through each item a couple of times each day to find out if there is something really new? I want updates – nothing more, nothing less.
Multimedia is chic, but do I really have to follow speeches and presentations via web TV, which means an hour or so for each, instead of reading the contents in about five minutes to find out where the beef is? A few moments ago, there was still no written version of president Nicolas Sarkozy’s speech in front of the European Parliament, but I could have followed the performance live yesterday or canned today.
Elysian style high-tech sounds progressive, until you have to use it.
Please give me and other news consumers simple tools that work.
Ralf Grahn
The same methods have worked during previous presidencies.
The only troubling thing was the Slovenian use of long and bureaucratic headlines, which meant that the e-mail headline seldom said anything about the contents; only the second headline (of the press release) did that.
Since the beginning of July things have changed – for the worse.
France has high ambitions, but things have turned out messy:
France has accreditation for journalists and even for select NGO participants, but no simple system for interested citizens to keep up to date. According to some reports, journalists have encountered difficulties trying to register.
The French EU Council presidency promises a daily newsletter, but if they have sent one, I have missed it.
The French EU Council presidency offers updates on events via a reader, but this has meant that my Google reader is swamped a few times daily with scores of events (66 at the last count), old and new. Am I supposed to wade through each item a couple of times each day to find out if there is something really new? I want updates – nothing more, nothing less.
Multimedia is chic, but do I really have to follow speeches and presentations via web TV, which means an hour or so for each, instead of reading the contents in about five minutes to find out where the beef is? A few moments ago, there was still no written version of president Nicolas Sarkozy’s speech in front of the European Parliament, but I could have followed the performance live yesterday or canned today.
Elysian style high-tech sounds progressive, until you have to use it.
Please give me and other news consumers simple tools that work.
Ralf Grahn
Sunday, 29 June 2008
Lisbon Treaty implementation
According to a memorandum the Finnish government’s EU Committee dealt with 22 February 2008, ’Lissabonin sopimuksen täytäntöönpanon valmistelu’ (Preparatory work on the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty), the Slovenian Council presidency had presented a memorandum on the work programme concerning Lisbon Treaty implementation at the Coreper (permanent representatives) meeting 17 January 2008.
Later the Finnish government’s EU Committee has dealt with the implementation of institutional questions pertaining to the Lisbon Treaty 9 May 2008, ‘Suomen kantoja Lissabonin sopimuksen täytäntöönpanoon liittyvistä keskeisistä toimielinkysymyksistä’ (Finnish positions on main institutional questions relating to the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty).
These memoranda, 18 pages in all, have been in the public domain, both times with accompanying press releases in three languages for the general public.
***
This can be contrasted with my e-mail to the Slovenian presidency requesting the already leaked first presidency memorandum listing the matters to discuss. I received neither answer nor paper.
It would have been convenient to work with the English version, instead of comparing the Finnish memoranda it with the latest presidency update in English.
***
The latest Council update (and perhaps the only one in English in the public domain) I know of is the following:
The Slovenian presidency of the EU Council presented the ’Progress report from the Presidency to the European Council – Preparatory work in view of the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty’, dated 13 June 2008, to the European Council (document 10650/08):
http://register.consilium.europa.eu/pdf/en/08/st10/st10650.en08.pdf
Whereas the original presidency paper listed 33 discussion points, the 12 plus 2 pages on the state of play summarise 14 substantive points.
I am just going to signal the questions mentioned to interested readers:
1 Citizens’ initiative
2 Data protection
3 Advocates-General
4 Consultative panel for nomination of judges
5 Delegated and implementing acts
6 Transition to co-decision
7 Committee structure in the area of justice and home affairs
8 Budget for 2009
9 Budget procedure
10 Programming (Council and presidencies)
11 Rules of procedure of European Council and Council
12 European External Action Service
13 Chairmanship of preparatory bodies in the area of external relations
14 Issues relating to the General Affairs Council
Roughly, the questions could be sorted into two groups. There are questions, where transitional arrangements are needed, and there are questions in need of more exact implementing measures.
Students and researchers interested in the questions listed above may find a few titbits, but generally the comments can be described as oblique, in true Council fashion.
From the outset the Slovenian presidency was intent on doing a bit of technical groundwork, with the political decisions to be taken during the French Council presidency starting 1 July 2008. Now it is unclear if and when the Lisbon Treaty enters into force and for how long the Nice Treaty remains in force. These factors complicate life for the European Union and especially France at the head of the Council.
Ralf Grahn
Later the Finnish government’s EU Committee has dealt with the implementation of institutional questions pertaining to the Lisbon Treaty 9 May 2008, ‘Suomen kantoja Lissabonin sopimuksen täytäntöönpanoon liittyvistä keskeisistä toimielinkysymyksistä’ (Finnish positions on main institutional questions relating to the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty).
These memoranda, 18 pages in all, have been in the public domain, both times with accompanying press releases in three languages for the general public.
***
This can be contrasted with my e-mail to the Slovenian presidency requesting the already leaked first presidency memorandum listing the matters to discuss. I received neither answer nor paper.
It would have been convenient to work with the English version, instead of comparing the Finnish memoranda it with the latest presidency update in English.
***
The latest Council update (and perhaps the only one in English in the public domain) I know of is the following:
The Slovenian presidency of the EU Council presented the ’Progress report from the Presidency to the European Council – Preparatory work in view of the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty’, dated 13 June 2008, to the European Council (document 10650/08):
http://register.consilium.europa.eu/pdf/en/08/st10/st10650.en08.pdf
Whereas the original presidency paper listed 33 discussion points, the 12 plus 2 pages on the state of play summarise 14 substantive points.
I am just going to signal the questions mentioned to interested readers:
1 Citizens’ initiative
2 Data protection
3 Advocates-General
4 Consultative panel for nomination of judges
5 Delegated and implementing acts
6 Transition to co-decision
7 Committee structure in the area of justice and home affairs
8 Budget for 2009
9 Budget procedure
10 Programming (Council and presidencies)
11 Rules of procedure of European Council and Council
12 European External Action Service
13 Chairmanship of preparatory bodies in the area of external relations
14 Issues relating to the General Affairs Council
Roughly, the questions could be sorted into two groups. There are questions, where transitional arrangements are needed, and there are questions in need of more exact implementing measures.
Students and researchers interested in the questions listed above may find a few titbits, but generally the comments can be described as oblique, in true Council fashion.
From the outset the Slovenian presidency was intent on doing a bit of technical groundwork, with the political decisions to be taken during the French Council presidency starting 1 July 2008. Now it is unclear if and when the Lisbon Treaty enters into force and for how long the Nice Treaty remains in force. These factors complicate life for the European Union and especially France at the head of the Council.
Ralf Grahn
Wednesday, 30 January 2008
Two new Lisbon Treaty ratifications
The Slovenian Presidency of the EU Council has informed us that the Parliament of Slovenia has ratified the Treaty of Lisbon. In the words of Prime Minister Janez Janša:
“By a vast majority of 74 votes out of a total of 90, the Republic of Slovenia has become the second Member State to confirm the new institutional structure for more effective functioning of the enlarged European Union.”
The Times of Malta reports that the House of Representatives has unanimously ratified the EU Lisbon reform treaty.
Hungary was the first member state to ratify, so the number of ratifications is now three.
Ralf Grahn
Sources:
Prime Minister Janez Janša welcomes ratification of the Lisbon Treaty; 29 January 2008;
http://www.eu2008.si
Times of Malta: House ratifies Lisbon treaty; 29 January 2008;
http://www.timesofmalta.com
“By a vast majority of 74 votes out of a total of 90, the Republic of Slovenia has become the second Member State to confirm the new institutional structure for more effective functioning of the enlarged European Union.”
The Times of Malta reports that the House of Representatives has unanimously ratified the EU Lisbon reform treaty.
Hungary was the first member state to ratify, so the number of ratifications is now three.
Ralf Grahn
Sources:
Prime Minister Janez Janša welcomes ratification of the Lisbon Treaty; 29 January 2008;
http://www.eu2008.si
Times of Malta: House ratifies Lisbon treaty; 29 January 2008;
http://www.timesofmalta.com
Wednesday, 5 December 2007
EU Presidency: Slovenia 2008
I already wrote that Slovenia is part of the euro zone, has a population of two million, has opened its preliminary Presidency web site and acts as President of the Council of the European Union (including the European Council) from 1 January 2008. Now it is time to take a closer look.
When France invited ministers from the first and second Presidency trio, the Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel stressed that his country would like to see a Europe which invests in people and works for the future.
The ratification processes of the Reform Treaty are going to be on the agenda. The Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs reaches a new phase of implementation. Environmental changes require the attention of the EU Council. There are great foreign policy challenges: the Middle East peace process, continued integration of the Western Balkans, and Kosovo, where Rupel stressed the importance of reaching unity within and outside the European Union.
Slovenia wants to contribute to the dialogue between different cultures and religions, and the government has made a proposal to establish a Euro-Mediterranean university in Piran.
***
At an EPC seminar Slovenia’s EU ambassador said that Slovenia had been preparing for the EU Presidency since 2005. Ljubljana is going to start the ratification process of the Lisbon Treaty almost immediately after signing, and would begin work on the detailed decisions needed to implement the new Treaty provisions.
The renewed Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs is not going to change policies radically, but more resources will be put into research and innovation, renewing business potential, helping small and medium-sized enterprises and improving labour markets.
In January, after the United Nations’ Bali Meeting, the European Commission is going to publish an energy and climate change package containing binding targets to reduce emissions. The Permanent Representative hoped that the European Council in March would endorse the proposals. In parallel work continues to liberalise the electricity and gas markets.
Senčar emphasized the importance of a European perspective for the Western Balkans. The fight against organised crime and further security reforms are important in the region. Easing the visa regime could bring about progress, which is impossible while young people remain isolated from Europe.
Unity within the European Union and with the USA and Russia on the status of Kosovo is essential. Bold action is needed to enable Serbia to become a “strategic partner” of the EU, Senčar said.
***
Every EU Presidency is important for the different dossiers, so there is considerable advance interest among those who follow European affairs.
A succinct but undated Presentation as well as additional information and news can be found on the web pages of the Slovenian Government Office for European Affairs. Before the Presidency pages in three languages (English, French and Slovene) become more active, these web pages seem to offer the most to those from the outside who are interested in getting to know the next EU Presidency.
The think-tank Notre Europe has promised a study by Manja Klemenčič on the Slovenian Presidency shortly.
Ralf Grahn
Background and sources:
Slovenian EU presidency preliminary website, fully online as of 1 January 2008; http://www.eu2008.si
Slovenia’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union; Government Communication Office; http://www.ukom.gov.si/eng
The programme and priorities of Slovenia’s Presidency of the Council of the EU; Government Communication Office; http://www.ukom.gov.si/eng
Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel speaks at French Government consultations on the EU’s future; 17 november 2007; http://www.mzz.gov.si
EU Integration and Citizenship – Priorities of the Slovenian Presidency; European Policy Centre, EPC, 3 December 2007; http://www.epc.eu
Presentation, highlights, documents, news etc.; Government of the Republic of Slovenia, Government Office for European Affairs; http://www.svez.gov.si/en/
Notre Europe: a study on the Slovenian EU Presidency by Manja Klemenčič is going to be published shortly; http://www.notre-europe.eu
When France invited ministers from the first and second Presidency trio, the Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel stressed that his country would like to see a Europe which invests in people and works for the future.
The ratification processes of the Reform Treaty are going to be on the agenda. The Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs reaches a new phase of implementation. Environmental changes require the attention of the EU Council. There are great foreign policy challenges: the Middle East peace process, continued integration of the Western Balkans, and Kosovo, where Rupel stressed the importance of reaching unity within and outside the European Union.
Slovenia wants to contribute to the dialogue between different cultures and religions, and the government has made a proposal to establish a Euro-Mediterranean university in Piran.
***
At an EPC seminar Slovenia’s EU ambassador said that Slovenia had been preparing for the EU Presidency since 2005. Ljubljana is going to start the ratification process of the Lisbon Treaty almost immediately after signing, and would begin work on the detailed decisions needed to implement the new Treaty provisions.
The renewed Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs is not going to change policies radically, but more resources will be put into research and innovation, renewing business potential, helping small and medium-sized enterprises and improving labour markets.
In January, after the United Nations’ Bali Meeting, the European Commission is going to publish an energy and climate change package containing binding targets to reduce emissions. The Permanent Representative hoped that the European Council in March would endorse the proposals. In parallel work continues to liberalise the electricity and gas markets.
Senčar emphasized the importance of a European perspective for the Western Balkans. The fight against organised crime and further security reforms are important in the region. Easing the visa regime could bring about progress, which is impossible while young people remain isolated from Europe.
Unity within the European Union and with the USA and Russia on the status of Kosovo is essential. Bold action is needed to enable Serbia to become a “strategic partner” of the EU, Senčar said.
***
Every EU Presidency is important for the different dossiers, so there is considerable advance interest among those who follow European affairs.
A succinct but undated Presentation as well as additional information and news can be found on the web pages of the Slovenian Government Office for European Affairs. Before the Presidency pages in three languages (English, French and Slovene) become more active, these web pages seem to offer the most to those from the outside who are interested in getting to know the next EU Presidency.
The think-tank Notre Europe has promised a study by Manja Klemenčič on the Slovenian Presidency shortly.
Ralf Grahn
Background and sources:
Slovenian EU presidency preliminary website, fully online as of 1 January 2008; http://www.eu2008.si
Slovenia’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union; Government Communication Office; http://www.ukom.gov.si/eng
The programme and priorities of Slovenia’s Presidency of the Council of the EU; Government Communication Office; http://www.ukom.gov.si/eng
Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel speaks at French Government consultations on the EU’s future; 17 november 2007; http://www.mzz.gov.si
EU Integration and Citizenship – Priorities of the Slovenian Presidency; European Policy Centre, EPC, 3 December 2007; http://www.epc.eu
Presentation, highlights, documents, news etc.; Government of the Republic of Slovenia, Government Office for European Affairs; http://www.svez.gov.si/en/
Notre Europe: a study on the Slovenian EU Presidency by Manja Klemenčič is going to be published shortly; http://www.notre-europe.eu
Monday, 3 December 2007
Slovenia and EU Presidency countries
According to the present EC Treaty (Article 203) the office of President shall be held in turn by each Member State in the Council for a term of six months in the order decided by the Council acting unanimously. In an expanded European Union with 27 members each Member State would be in charge once in about fourteen years.
If the Treaty of Lisbon enters into force on 1 January 2009, the European Council and the Foreign Affairs Council are going to get permanent Presidents and the rest of the Council configurations are going to advance one more step towards team Presidencies. I described these changes in two articles on my Swedish blog.
***
Portugal has a few weeks left of its Presidency. Eurozone country Slovenia is going to shoulder the Presidency from the beginning of January until the end of June 2008. This is a major undertaking for a country with a population of two million.
Slovenia, which is the first of the new Member States to take on the task, has opened its preliminary Presidency web site. It should be in active use from 1 January, but already you can find basic information about the country and you can subscribe to newsletters and news alerts.
In advance of the formal changes in the Constitutional Treaty and now the Treaty of Lisbon, the Member States of the EU have gradually moved towards greater continuity in the work of the Council than offered by unconnected six month programmes. The 18 month joint Presidency programme of Germany, Portugal and Slovenia was the first of its kind.
Within this programme Slovenia stresses four issues:
the future of the EU (the Treaties and institutional reform)
EU enlargement and the new neighbourhood policy (particularly the Western Balkans)
energy
intercultural dialogue
Since the original programme is on its last leg, modifications seem likely.
***
The next Presidency trio consists of
France (July – December 2008)
Czech Republic (January – June 2009)
Sweden (July – December 2009)
Despite their different approaches to European integration, these countries should manage to agree on a joint 18 month programme.
France may be the last Member State to handle an undivided Presidency of the EU. The French government is preparing for its EU Presidency with ferocious energy and a high profile.
Ralf Grahn
Background and sources:
Ralf Grahn: Ny tid för EU-ordförandeskapen (in Swedish); 1 December 2007; http://grahnblawg.blogspot.com
Ralf Grahn: Ordförandeskapet i Lissabonfördraget (in Swedish); 2 December 2007; http://grahnblawg.blogspot.com
Slovenian EU presidency website online as of 1 January 2008; http://www.eu2008.si
Slovenia’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union; Government Communication Office; http://www.ukom.gov.si/eng
The programme and priorities of Slovenia’s Presidency of the Council of the EU; Government Communication Office; http://www.ukom.gov.si/eng
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