the coordination mechanism of the bulgarian participation in (1)
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Bulgaria’s participation in decision-making
process in the EUYoanna Yordanova
Ministry of Finance of Republic of Bulgaria
• 01.01.2007 – Bulgaria became a full member of the EU
• One of the most important tasks for Bulgaria is its participation in the decision-making process
• Bulgarian position has changed from decision taker to decision maker
European Commission
• The only EU institution empowered to initiate EU legal acts
• Implementing decisions, upholding the EU treaties and managing the day-to-day business of the EU.
• 28 members of the Commission -> one member per state
The decision-making process in the EU is
a three-stage process :
• Working groups• Committee of permanent
representatives in the EU(COREPER). COREPER has 2 parts COREPER I and COREPER II.
• Council of the EU
Working parties• 150 working parties and
committees • Handle proposals• There is no formal time limit for
a working party to complete its work• No obligation for an agreement
COREPER I• Known also as the ‘Antici Group’• The participants of COREPER I are country's
deputy permanent representatives. • COREPER I prepares the work of 6 Council
configurations agriculture and fisheries competitiveness education, youth, culture and sport employment, social policy, health and consumer
affairs environment transport, telecommunications and energy
COREPER II• Also known as the ‘Mertens Group’ • Coreper II is composed of each member
states' permanent representatives.• Coreper II prepares the work of 4 Council
configurationseconomic and financial affairs (ECOFIN)foreign affairsgeneral affairsjustice and home affairs
Council of EU• The third most important level in the
decision-making process• Represents the member states’
governments • There are 10 different configurations
(depending on the discussed subject)
Economic and Financial Affairs
Council
(ECOFIN)• ECOFIN Council is made of the
economics and finance ministers from all member states
• Responsibilities :Economic policyTaxation issuesRegulation of financial services
Participation of the Republic of
Bulgaria in the decision-making
process in the EU• The Council of Ministers• The Council for European Affairs• Various working party
The Council for European Affairs
• Consultative body • Accept the framework
positions and draft positions• Approves strategic or
planning documents
The Council of Ministers
• The highest level of decision-making within the EU Affairs coordination mechanism in Bulgaria
• Gives terms of reference to the relevant minister
• Adopts the Annual programme
References:• http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/home/• Дирекция „Координация по въпросите на
Европейски съюз“ (МС), (2013), Практическо ръководство за участието на Република България в процеса на вземане на решения от Съвета на ЕС
• European Car-Transport Group of Interest, Decision-Making in the European Union, Brussels, Available from: http://www.ecgassociation.eu/Activities/EUAffairs/DecisionMakingintheEU.aspx