This document is meant purely as documentation tool and the institutions do not assume any liability for its contents
"BCOUNCIL DECISION
of 5 June 2000
adopting the Council’s Rules of Procedure
(2000/396/EC, ECSC, Euratom)
(OJ L 149, 23.6.2000, p. 21)
Amended by:
Official Journal
No page date
"M1 Council Decision 2001/216/EC of 19 March 2001 L 81 30 21.3.20012000D0396 — EN — 13.03.2001 — 001.001 — 1
COUNCIL DECISION
of 5 June 2000
adopting the Council’s Rules of Procedure
(2000/396/EC, ECSC, Euratom)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and
in particular Article 207(3), first subparagraph,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel
Community, and in particular Article 30(3) thereof,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy
Community, and in particular Article 121(3) thereof,
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
Sole Article
The Rules of Procedure of the Council of 31 May 1999 (1999/385/EC,
ECSC, Euratom) (1) shall be replaced by the following, which shall enter
into force on 6 June 2000.
‘RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE COUNCIL
Article 1
Notice and venue of meetings
1. The Council shall meet when convened by its President on his own
initiative or at the request of one of its members or of the
Commission (2).
2. Seven months before the beginning of its term of office, the
Presidency shall make known the dates which it envisages for meetings
that the Council will have to hold in order to complete its legislative work
or take operational decisions.
At the latest one week before the beginning of its term of office, the
Presidency shall establish a six-month programme in the form of
indicative provisional agendas for Council meetings, showing the
legislative work and operational decisions envisaged. This programme
may, where necessary, provide for extra Council meetings, in addition to
those previously planned. If during the Presidency any of the meetings in
the six-monthly programme proves to be no longer warranted, the
Presidency shall not convene it.
3. The Council shall have its seat in Brussels. During the months of
April, June and October the Council shall hold its meetings in
Luxembourg (3).
In exceptional circumstances and for duly substantiated reasons, the
Council or the Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper), acting
unanimously, may decide that a Council meeting will be held elsewhere.!B
(1) OJ L 147, 12.6.1999, p. 13.
(2) This paragraph reproduces Article 204 of the EC Treaty.
(3) This paragraph reproduces paragraph (b) of the sole article of the Protocol on
the location of the seats of the institutions and of certain bodies anddepartments of the European Communities and of Europol annexed to theTreaties.2000D0396 — EN — 13.03.2001 — 001.001 — 2
Article 2
Configurations of the Council
1. The Council may meet in different configurations according to the
subject matter dealt with. The Council, meeting in its General Affairs
configuration, shall fix the list of these configurations (1).
No Council configuration not included in the list may be convened
unless the Council in its General Affairs configuration so decides.
2. The Council in its General Affairs configuration shall be responsible
for the overall coordination of preparatory work for European Council
meetings.
Article 3 (2)
Agenda
1. The President shall draw up the provisional agenda for each meeting.
The agenda shall be sent to the other members of the Council and to the
Commission at least 14 days before the beginning of the meeting.
2. The provisional agenda shall contain the items in respect of which a
request for inclusion on the agenda, together with any documents relating
thereto, has been received by the General Secretariat from a member of
the Council or from the Commission at least 16 days before the
beginning of that meeting. The provisional agenda shall also indicate the
items on which the Presidency, a member of the Council or the
Commission may request a vote.
3. Items relating to the adoption of an act or a common position on a
legislative proposal or a proposal for a measure to be adopted under Title
VI of the Treaty on European Union shall not be placed on the
provisional agenda for a decision until the six-week period provided for
in point 3 of the Protocol on the role of national parliaments in the
European Union has elapsed.
The Council may unanimously derogate from the six-week period where
the entry of an item is subject to the exception on grounds of urgency
provided for in point 3 of that Protocol.
4. Only items in respect of which the documents have been sent to the
members of the Council and to the Commission at the latest by the date
on which the provisional agenda is sent may be placed on that agenda.
5. The General Secretariat shall transmit to the members of the Council
and to the Commission requests for the inclusion of items in the agenda,
documents and indications concerning voting relating thereto in respect
of which the time limits specified above were not respected.!B
(1) See statement (a) set out below.
(a)Article 2
‘The list of configurations is currently set out in OJ C 174, 23 June 2000,
p. 1.’
(2) See statements (b) and (c) set out below:
(b)Article 3(1) and (2)
‘The President will endeavour to ensure that, in principle, the provisional
agenda for each meeting of the Council dealing with implementation ofTitle IV of Part Three of the EC Treaty and Title VI of the Treaty onEuropean Union and any documents relating to the items involved reach
members of the Council at least 21 days before the beginning of the
meeting.’
(c)Articles 1 and 3
‘Without prejudice to Article 22(2) of the Treaty on European Union,
which specifies that an extraordinary Council meeting may be convenedat very short notice in cases requiring a rapid decision, the Council is
aware of the need for matters relating to the common foreign and
security policy to be dealt with swiftly and efficiently. The arrangementsin Article 3 shall not prevent this need from being met.’2000D0396 — EN — 13.03.2001 — 001.001 — 3
6. The agenda shall be adopted by the Council at the beginning of each
meeting. The inclusion in the agenda of an item other than those
appearing on the provisional agenda shall require unanimity in the
Council. Items entered in this way may be put to the vote.
If, by the end of the week preceding the week prior to a Council meeting,
Coreper has not completed its examination of legislative items within the
meaning of Article 7, the Presidency shall, unless considerations of
urgency require otherwise and without prejudice to paragraph 2, remove
them from the provisional agenda.
7. The provisional agenda shall be divided into Part A and Part B. Items
for which approval by the Council is possible without discussion shall be
included in Part A, but this does not exclude the possibility of any
member of the Council or of the Commission expressing an opinion at
the time of the approval of these items and having statements included in
the minutes.
8. However, an “A’’ item shall be withdrawn from the agenda, unless
the Council decides otherwise, if a position on an “A’’ item might lead to
further discussion thereof or if a member of the Council or the
Commission so requests.
9. Any request for the inclusion of an “other business’’ item shall, in
principle, be accompanied by an explanatory document.
Article 4
Representation of a Council member unable to attend
Subject to the provisions of Article 11 on the delegation of voting rights,
a member of the Council who is prevented from attending a meeting may
arrange to be represented.
Article 5
Meetings
1. Meetings of the Council shall not be public except in the cases
referred to in Article 8.
2. The Commission shall be invited to take part in meetings of the
Council. The same applies to the European Central Bank in cases where
it exercises its right of initiative. The Council may, however, decide to
deliberate without the presence of the Commission or of the European
Central Bank.
3. The members of the Council and of the Commission may be
accompanied by officials who assist them. The number of such officials
may be laid down by the Council. Their names and functions shall be
notified in advance to the Secretary-General/High Representative for the
Common Foreign and Security Policy (hereinafter referred to as “the
Secretary-General’’) or the Deputy Secretary-General.
4. Admission to meetings of the Council shall be subject to the
production of a pass.
Article 6
Professional secrecy and production of documents in legal proceed-
ings
1. Without prejudice to Articles 8 and 9 and to other applicable
provisions, the deliberations of the Council shall be covered by the
obligation of professional secrecy, except in so far as the Council decides
otherwise.
2. The Council or Coreper may authorise the production for use in legal
proceedings of a copy of or an extract from Council documents which
have not already been released to the public pursuant to these Rules or
the Council’s rules on public access to its documents.!B2000D0396 — EN — 13.03.2001 — 001.001 — 4
Article 7
Cases where the Council acts in its legislative capacity
The Council acts in its legislative capacity within the meaning of the
second subparagraph of Article 207(3) of the EC Treaty when it adopts
rules which are legally binding in or for the Member States, by means of
regulations, directives, framework decisions or decisions, on the basis of
the relevant provisions of the Treaties, with the exception of discussions
leading to the adoption of internal measures, administrative or budgetary
acts, acts concerning interinstitutional or international relations or
non-binding acts (such as conclusions, recommendations or resolutions).
Where legislative proposals or initiatives are submitted to it the Council
shall refrain from adopting acts which are not provided for by the
Treaties, such as resolutions or declarations other than those referred to
in Article 9.
Article 8
Public debates
1. The Council in its General Affairs and Economic and Financial
Affairs configurations shall hold a public policy debate every six months
on the work programme of the current Presidency and, if appropriate, on
the Commission’ s annual work programme.
2. On a decision taken by the Council or by Coreper, acting by a
qualified majority, the Council shall hold at least one public debate on
important new legislative proposals.
The Council or Coreper may decide by a qualified majority on a
case-by-case basis that other public debates are to be held on important
issues affecting the interests of the Union.
It shall be for the Presidency, any member of the Council, or the
Commission to propose issues or specific subjects for such debates.
3. Public debates shall be the subject of public transmission by
audiovisual means.
Article 9
Making deliberations public
1. Where the Council acts in its legislative capacity within the meaning
of Article 7, the results of votes and explanations of votes by Council
members, as well as the statements in the Council minutes and the items
in those minutes relating to the adoption of legislative acts, shall be made
public.
The results of votes and explanations of votes shall also be made public
when the Council adopts a common position pursuant to Article 251 or
252 of the EC Treaty. The same rule shall apply for votes and
explanations of votes by members of the Council or their representatives
on the Conciliation Committee set up by Article 251 of the EC Treaty.
2. The results of votes and explanations of votes shall also be made
public when the Council establishes a convention on the basis of Title VI
of the Treaty on European Union. The statements entered in the Council
minutes and the items in those minutes relating to adoption of such
conventions shall be made public by decision of the Council or Coreper,
taken at the request of one of their members.
3. The results of votes shall be made public:
(a) when the Council acts pursuant to Title V of the Treaty on European
Union, by a unanimous Council or Coreper decision taken at the
request of one of their members;
(b) when the Council adopts a common position within the meaning of
Title VI of the Treaty on European Union, by a unanimous Council
or Coreper decision taken at the request of one of their members;!B2000D0396 — EN — 13.03.2001 — 001.001 — 5
(c) in other cases, by Council or Coreper decision taken at the request of
one of their members.
When the result of a vote in the Council is made public in accordance
with subparagraphs (a), (b) and (c), the explanations of votes made when
the vote was taken shall also be made public at the request of the Council
members concerned, with due regard for these Rules of Procedure, legal
certainty and the interests of the Council.
Statements entered in the Council minutes and items in those minutes
relating to the adoption of the acts referred to in subparagraphs (a), (b)
and (c) shall be made public by Council or Coreper decision taken at the
request of one of their members.
4. V otes shall not be made public in the case of discussions leading to
indicative votes or the adoption of preparatory acts.
Article 10
Public access to Council documents
The detailed arrangements for public access to Council documents shall
be adopted by the Council (1).
Article 11
Voting arrangements and quorum
1. The Council shall vote on the initiative of its President.
The President shall, furthermore, be required to open a voting procedure
on the initiative of a member of the Council or of the Commission,
provided that a majority of the Council’s members so decides.
2. The members of the Council shall vote in the order of the Member
States laid down in Article 203 of the EC Treaty and in the
corresponding Articles of the other two Community Treaties, beginning
with the member who, according to that order, follows the member
holding the office of President.
3. Where a vote is taken, any member of the Council may also act on
behalf of not more than one other member (2).
4. The presence of a majority of the members of the Council who are,
under the Treaties, entitled to vote is required to enable the Council to
vote. When the vote is taken, the President, assisted by the General
Secretariat, shall check that there is a quorum.!B
(1) See statement (d) set out below:
(d)Article 10
‘The detailed arrangements for public access to Council documents are
currently laid down in Council Decision 93/731/EC of 20 December
1993 on public access to Council documents (OJ L 340, 31.12.1993, p.
43), as amended by Decision 96/705/EC (OJ L 325, 14.12.1996, p. 19)and by Decision 2000/23/EC of 6 December 1999 on the improvement ofinformation on the Council’ s legislative activities and the public register
of Council documents (OJ L 9, 13.1.2000, p. 22).’
(
2) This paragraph reproduces Article 206 of the EC Treaty.2000D0396 — EN — 13.03.2001 — 001.001 — 6
Article 12 (1)
Written procedure
1. Acts of the Council on an urgent matter may be adopted by a written
vote where the Council or Coreper unanimously decides to use that
procedure. In special circumstances, the President may also propose the
use of that procedure; in such a case, written votes may be used where all
members of the Council agree to that procedure.
2. Agreement by the Commission to the use of the written procedure
shall be required where the written vote is on a matter which the
Commission has brought before the Council.
3. A summary of acts adopted by the written procedure shall be drawn
up every month by the General Secretariat.
4. On the initiative of the Presidency, the Council may also act for the
purpose of implementing the common foreign and security policy by
means of the simplified written procedure (CORFU). In that case the
proposal shall be deemed to be adopted at the end of the period laid down
by the Presidency depending on the urgency of the matter, except where
a member of the Council objects (2).
5. On the initiative of the Presidency, the Council may also act for the
purpose of deciding to consult other institutions or bodies by means of a
streamlined written procedure wherever such consultation is required by
Community law. In that case the decision to consult shall be deemed to
be adopted at the end of the period laid down by the Presidency
depending on the urgency of the matter, except where a member of the
Council objects (3).
6. The General Secretariat shall establish that the written procedures
have been completed.
Article 13
Minutes
1. Minutes of each meeting shall be drawn up and, when approved, shall
be signed by the President in Office at the time of such approval and by
the Secretary-General or the Deputy Secretary-General.
The minutes shall as a general rule indicate in respect of each item on the
agenda:
— the documents submitted to the Council,— the decisions taken or the conclusions reached by the Council,— the statements made by the Council and those whose entry has been
requested by a member of the Council or the Commission.
2. The draft minutes shall be drawn up by the General Secretariat
within 15 days and submitted to the Council or to Coreper for approval.!B
(1) See statement (e) set out below:
(e)Article 12
‘The Council agrees to consider the advisability of including in the
Rules of Procedure the option of using a simplified written procedurewhen the Council is acting pursuant to Title VI of the Treaty on
European Union.’
(
2) See statement (f) set out below:
(f)Article 12(4)
‘The Council would point out that the COREU network must be used in
accordance with the Council conclusions of 12 June 1995 concerning theCouncil’ s working methods.’
(
3) See statement (g) set out below:
(g)Article 12(5)
‘In accordance with the Council’ s regular practice, the time limit fixed
will normally be one week.’2000D0396 — EN — 13.03.2001 — 001.001 — 7
3. Prior to such approval any member of the Council, or the
Commission, may request that more details be inserted in the minutes
regarding any item on the agenda. These requests may be made in
Coreper.
Article 14
Deliberations and decisions on the basis of documents and drafts
drawn up in the languages provided for by the language rules in force
1. Except as otherwise decided unanimously by the Council on grounds
of urgency, the Council shall deliberate and take decisions only on the
basis of documents and drafts drawn up in the languages specified in the
rules in force governing languages.
2. Any member of the Council may oppose discussion if the texts of
any proposed amendments are not drawn up in such of the languages
referred to in paragraph 1 as he or she may specify.
Article 15
Signing of acts
The text of the acts adopted by the Council and that of the acts adopted
jointly by the European Parliament and the Council shall be signed by the
President-in-Office at the time of their adoption and by the Secretary-
General or the Deputy Secretary-General. The Secretary-General and the
Deputy Secretary-General may delegate their signatures to Directors-
General of the General Secretariat.
Article 16 (1)
Absence of the possibility to participate in the vote
For the purposes of application of these Rules of Procedure, due account
will be taken, in accordance with Annex I, of cases in which, under the
Treaties, one or more members of the Council may not participate in the
vote.
Article 17
Publication of acts in the Official Journal
1. The following shall be published in the Official Journal by the
Secretary-General or the Deputy Secretary-General:
(a) the acts referred to in Article 254(1) and (2) of the EC Treaty;(b) the acts referred to in the first paragraph of Article 163 of the
Euratom Treaty;
(c) the common positions adopted by the Council in accordance with the
procedures referred to in Articles 251 and 252 of the EC Treaty, and
the reasons underlying those common positions;
(d) the framework decisions and decisions referred to in Article 34(2) of
the Treaty on European Union;!B
(1) See statement (h) set out below:
(h)Article 16 and Annex I
‘The Council agrees that the provisions of Article 16 and Annex I apply
to acts for the adoption of which some members of the Council are,
under the Treaties, not entitled to vote. However, application of Article7 of the Treaty on European Union is not covered by those provisions.
In the first application of Articles 43 and 44 of the Treaty on European
Union, the Council will, in the light of experience acquired in otherfields, consider any adaptations necessary to Article 16 of and Annex Ito these Rules of Procedure.’2000D0396 — EN — 13.03.2001 — 001.001 — 8
(e) the conventions established by the Council in accordance with
Article 34(2) of the Treaty on European Union.
Reference shall be made in the Official Journal to the entry into
force of such conventions;
(f) the conventions signed between Member States on the basis of
Article 293 of the EC Treaty.
Reference shall be made in the Official Journal to the entry into
force of such conventions;
(g) international agreements concluded by the Community or in
accordance with Article 24 of the Treaty on European Union.
Reference shall be made in the Official Journal to the entry into
force of such agreements.
2. Unless the Council or Coreper decides otherwise, the following shall
be published in the Official Journal by the Secretary-General or the
Deputy Secretary-General:
(a) initiatives presented to the Council by a Member State pursuant to
Article 67(1) of the EC Treaty;
(b) initiatives presented to the Council by a Member State pursuant to
Article 34(2) of the Treaty on European Union;
(c) the common positions referred to in Article 34(2) of the Treaty on
European Union;
(d) directives other than those referred to in Article 254(1) and (2) of the
EC Treaty, decisions other than those referred to in Article 254(1) of
the EC Treaty, recommendations and opinions.
3. The Council or Coreper shall decide unanimously, on a case-by-case
basis, whether there should be publication in the Official Journal by the
Secretary-General or the Deputy Secretary-General of the common
strategies, the joint actions and the common positions referred to in
Article 12 of the Treaty on European Union.
4. The Council or Coreper shall decide, on a case-by-case basis and
taking account of possible publication of the basic act, whether the
following should be published in the Official Journal by the Secretary-
General or the Deputy Secretary-General:
(a) the measures implementing the joint actions referred to in Article 12
of the Treaty on European Union;
(b) the joint actions, the common positions or any other decision
adopted on the basis of a common strategy, as provided for in the
first indent of Article 23(2) of the Treaty on European Union;
(c) any measures implementing the decisions referred to in Article 34(2)
of the Treaty on European Union and any measures implementing
conventions drawn up by the Council in accordance with Article
34(2) of the Treaty on European Union.
5. Where an agreement concluded between the Communities and one
or more States or international organisations sets up a body vested with
powers of decision, the Council shall decide, when such an agreement is
concluded, whether decisions to be taken by that body should be
published in the Official Journal.
Article 18
Notification of acts
1. Directives other than those referred to in Article 254(1) and (2) of
the EC Treaty and decisions other than those referred to in Article 254(1)
of the EC Treaty shall be notified to their addressees by the
Secretary-General, the Deputy Secretary-General or a director-general
acting on their behalf.!B2000D0396 — EN — 13.03.2001 — 001.001 — 9
2. When they are not published in the Official Journal, the following
acts shall be notified to their addressees by the Secretary-General, the
Deputy Secretary-General or a director-general acting on their behalf
(a) recommendations;
(b) the common strategies, joint actions and common positions referred
to in Article 12 of the Treaty on European Union;
(c) the common positions referred to in Article 34(2) of the Treaty on
European Union;
(d) measures implementing the acts adopted on the basis of Articles 12
and 34 of the Treaty on European Union;
3. The Secretary-General, the Deputy Secretary-General or a director-
general acting on their behalf shall send to the Governments of the
Member States and to the Commission authentic copies of Council
directives other than those referred to in Article 254(1) and (2) of the EC
Treaty and Council decisions and recommendations.
Article 19 (1)
Coreper, committees and working parties
1. Coreper shall be responsible for preparing the work of the Council
and for carrying out the tasks assigned to it by the Council. It shall in any
case (2) ensure consistency of the Union’ s policies and actions and see to
it that the following principles and rules are observed:
(a) the principles of legality, subsidiarity, proportionality and providing
reasons for acts;
(b) rules establishing the powers of Union institutions and bodies;
(c) budgetary provisions;
(d) rules on procedure, transparency and the quality of drafting.2. All items on the agenda for a Council meeting shall be examined in
advance by Coreper unless the Council decides otherwise. Coreper shall
endeavour to reach agreement at its level to be submitted to the Council
for adoption. It shall ensure adequate presentation of the dossiers to the
Council and, where appropriate, shall present guidelines, options or
suggested solutions. In the event of an emergency, the Council, acting
unanimously, may decide to settle the matter without prior examination.
3. Committees or working parties may be set up by, or with the
approval of, Coreper with a view to carrying out certain preparatory work
or studies defined in advance.
The General Secretariat shall update and publish the list of preparatory
bodies. Only the committees and working parties on this list may meet as
Council preparatory bodies.
4. Coreper shall be chaired, depending on the items on the agenda, by
the Permanent Representative or the Deputy Permanent Representative
of the Member State which holds the Presidency of the Council. Unless
the Council decides otherwise, the various committees provided for in
the Treaties shall also be chaired by a delegate of that Member State. The
same shall apply to the committees and working parties referred to in
paragraph 2, unless Coreper decides otherwise. For the preparation of
meetings of Council configurations meeting once every six months,!B
(1) These provisions are without prejudice to the role of the Economic and
Financial Committee as laid down in Article 114 of the EC Treaty and toexisting Council Decisions thereon (OJ L 358, 31.12.1998, p. 109 and OJ L 5,1.1.1999, p. 71).
(
2) See statement (i) set out below:
(i)Article 19(1)
‘Coreper will ensure consistency and observance of the principles set out
in paragraph 1, in particular for matters where substantive preparation isundertaken in other forums.’2000D0396 — EN — 13.03.2001 — 001.001 — 10
where held during the first half of this period, the meetings of
committees other than Coreper and those of working parties held during
the preceding six months may be chaired by a delegate of the Member
State whose turn it is to chair the said Council meetings.
5. Coreper may adopt the following procedural decisions, provided that
the items relating thereto have been included on its provisional agenda at
least three working days before the meeting. Unanimity on the part of
Coreper shall be required for any derogation from that period (1):
(a) decision to hold a Council meeting in a place other than Brussels or
Luxembourg (Article 1(3));
(b) authorisation to produce a copy of or an extract from a Council
document for use in legal proceedings (Article 6(2));
(c) decision to hold a public debate in the Council (Article 8(2));(d) decision to make the results of votes public in the cases laid down in
Article 9(2) and (3);
(e) decision to use the written procedure (Article 12(1));(f) approval or amendment of Council minutes (Article 13(2) and (3));(g) decision to publish a text or an act in the Official Journal (Article
17(2), (3) and (4));
(h) decision to consult an institution or body;(i) decision setting or extending a time limit for consultation of an
institution or body;
(j) decision to extend the periods laid down in Article 251(7) of the EC
Treaty;
(k) approval of the wording of a letter to be sent to an institution or body.
Article 20
The Presidency and the businesslike conduct of discussions
1. The Presidency shall be responsible for the application of these
Rules of Procedure and for ensuring that discussions are conducted in a
businesslike manner. It may, unless a decision is taken to the contrary,
take any appropriate measure and in particular:
(a) restrict the numbers per delegation present in the meeting room for
discussion of a particular item, and decide whether to authorise the
opening of an overflow room;
(b) set the order in which items are to be taken and determine the
duration of discussions on them;
(c) organise the time allotted for discussion of a particular item.!B
(1) See statement (j) set out below:
(j)Article 19(5)
‘If a member of the Council considers that a draft procedural decision
submitted to Coreper for adoption in accordance with Article 19(5)
raises a question of substance, the draft decision will be submitted to theCouncil.’2000D0396 — EN — 13.03.2001 — 001.001 — 11
2. Without prejudice to its powers and its overall political responsibil-
ity, the Presidency shall be assisted by the representative of the Member
State next holding the Presidency. At the Presidency’ s request and acting
on its instructions, the latter shall replace it as and when required, shall
relieve it, where necessary, of certain administrative tasks and shall
ensure the continuity of the Council’s proceedings.
Article 21 (1)(2)
Reports from committees and working parties
Notwithstanding the other provisions of these Rules of Procedure, the
Presidency shall organise the meetings of the various committees and
working parties so that their reports are available before the Coreper
meetings at which they are to be examined.
Unless considerations of urgency require otherwise, the Presidency shall
postpone to a subsequent Coreper meeting any legislative items within
the meaning of Article 7 on which the committee or working party has
not completed its discussions at least five working days prior to
Coreper’ s meeting.
Article 22
Quality of drafting (3)
1. In order to assist the Council in its task of ensuring the drafting
quality of the legislative acts which it adopts, the Legal Service shall be
responsible for checking the drafting quality of proposals and draft acts
at the appropriate stage, as well as for bringing drafting suggestions to
the attention of the Council and its bodies, pursuant to the Inter-
institutional Agreement of 22 December 1998.
Throughout the legislative process, those who submit texts in connection
with the Council’s proceedings shall pay special attention to the quality
of the drafting.!B
(1) These provisions are without prejudice to the role of the Economic and
Financial Committee as laid down in Article 114 of the EC Treaty and toexisting Council Decisions thereon (OJ L 358, 31.12.1998, p. 109 and OJ L 5,1.1.1999, p. 71).
(
2) See statement (k) set out below:
(k)Article 21
‘Reports from working parties and any other documents used as a basis
for Coreper’ s discussions should be sent to delegations in time to allow
for their examination.’
(3) See statement (l) set out below:
(l)Article 22
‘The Council Legal Service has also been instructed to provide
assistance to a Member State responsible for an initiative within the
meaning of Article 67(1) of the EC Treaty or Article 34(2) of the Treatyon European Union for the purpose, inter alia , of checking the quality of
drafting of such initiatives if that assistance is requested by the Member
State concerned.’
See statement (m) set out below:
(m)Article 22
‘Members of the Council will comment on proposals for official
codification of legislative texts within 30 days of the circulation of suchproposals by the General Secretariat.Members of the Council will ensure that those provisions of a proposal
for the recasting of legislative texts which have been taken from the
preceding act without subtantive amendment are examined in accord-ance with the principles established for examination of codificationproposals.’2000D0396 — EN — 13.03.2001 — 001.001 — 12
Article 23
The Secretary-General and the General Secretariat
1. The Council shall be assisted by a General Secretariat, under the
responsibility of a Secretary-General, who shall be assisted by a Deputy
Secretary-General responsible for the running of the General Secretariat.
The Secretary-General and the Deputy Secretary-General shall be
appointed by the Council acting unanimously.
2. The Council shall decide on the organisation of the General
Secretariat (1).
Under its authority the Secretary-General and the Deputy Secretary-
General shall take all the measures necessary to ensure the smooth
running of the General Secretariat.
3. The General Secretariat shall be closely and continually involved in
organising, coordinating and ensuring the coherence of the Council’ s
work. Under the responsibility and guidance of the Presidency, it shall
assist the latter in seeking solutions.
In accordance with the provisions of the Treaty on European Union, the
Secretary-General shall assist the Council and the Presidency in matters
concerning the common foreign and security policy, including coor-
dination of the work of the Special Representatives.
If appropriate, the Secretary-General may ask the Presidency to convene
a committee or working party, in particular in relation to matters
concerning the common foreign and security policy, or to place an item
on the agenda for a committee or working party.
4. The Secretary-General or the Deputy Secretary-General shall submit
to the Council the draft estimate of the expenditure of the Council in
sufficient time to ensure that the time limits laid down by the financial
provisions are met.
5. The Secretary-General, assisted by the Deputy Secretary-General,
shall have full responsibility for administering the appropriations entered
in Section II — Council of the budget and shall take all measures
necessary to ensure that they are properly managed. He shall implement
the appropriations in question in accordance with the provisions of the
Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European
Communities.
Article 24
Security
The rules on security shall be adopted by the Council acting by a
qualified majority.
Article 25
Duties as depositary of agreements and conventions
In the event of the Secretary-General of the Council being designated as
depositary of an agreement concluded in accordance with Article 24 of
the Treaty on European Union or concluded by the Community and one
or more States or international organisations, of a convention concluded
between Member States or of a convention established pursuant to
Article 34 of the Treaty on European Union, the acts of ratification,
acceptance or approval of those agreements or conventions shall be
deposited at the address of the Council.
In such instances the Secretary-General shall perform the duties of a
depositary and shall also ensure that the dates of entry into force of such
agreements or conventions are published in the Official Journal.!B
(1) Paragraphs 1 and 2 reproduce Article 207(2) of the EC Treaty.!M1
!B2000D0396 — EN — 13.03.2001 — 001.001 — 13
Article 26
Representation before the European Parliament
Subject to special procedures, the Council may be represented by the
Presidency or by any other of its members before the European
Parliament or its committees. The Council may also be represented
before those committees by its Secretary-General, its Deputy Secretary-
General or senior officials of the General Secretariat, acting on
instructions from the Presidency.
The Council may also present its views to the European Parliament by
means of a written statement.
Article 27
Provisions concerning the form of acts
The provisions concerning the form of acts are set out in Annex II.
Article 28
Correspondence addressed to the Council
Correspondence to the Council shall be sent to the President at the
following address of the Council:
Council of the European Union
Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 175
B-1048 Brussels!B2000D0396 — EN — 13.03.2001 — 001.001 — 14
ANNEX I
1. In application of the following provisions of these Rules of Procedure and for
decisions in respect of which, under the Treaties, members of the Council orof Coreper may not participate in the vote, account is not to be taken of votes
by such members:
(a) Article 1(3), second subparagraph (holding of a meeting in a place other
than Brussels or Luxembourg);
(b) Article 3(6) (inclusion on the agenda of an item other than those
appearing on the provisional agenda);
(c) Article 3(8) (maintaining as a “B’’ item on the agenda an “A’’ item which
would otherwise have had to be withdrawn from the agenda);
(d) Article 5(2), as regards the presence of the European Central Bank only
(deliberation without the presence of the European Central Bank);
(e) Article 9(2) and (3), first subparagraph, points (b) and (c), second and
third subparagraphs (making public the statements in the Council
minutes and items in those minutes relating to the adoption ofconventions established on the basis of Title VI of the Treaty onEuropean Union; making public the results of votes, explanations of
votes, statements in the Council minutes and items in those minutes
relating to the adoption of a common position under Title VI of theTreaty on European Union; making public the results of votes,explanations of votes, statements in the Council minutes and items in
those minutes relating to cases other than those referred to in paragraph
3);
(f) Article 11(1), second subparagraph (opening of a voting procedure);
(g) Article 12(1) (use of the written procedure);
(h) Article 14(1) (decision to deliberate and take decisions exceptionally on
the basis of documents and drafts not drawn up in all the languages) (
1);
(i) Article 17(2)(a) and (b) (non-publication in the Official Journal of an
initiative presented by a Member State pursuant to Article 67(1) of the
EC Treaty or Article 34(2) of the Treaty on European Union);
(j) Article 17(2)(c) and (d) (non-publication in the Official Journal of a
common position adopted on the basis of Article 34 of the Treaty on
European Union or certain directives, decisions, recommendations andopinions);
(k) Article 17(4)(c) (publication in the Official Journal of any measures
implementing decisions or conventions referred to in Article 34(2) of theTreaty on European Union);
(l) Article 17(5) (whether to publish in the Official Journal decisions taken
by a body set up under an international agreement).
2. A member of the Council or of Coreper may not make use of the following
provisions of these Rules of Procedure in connection with decisions on
which, under the Treaties, that member may not participate in the vote:
(a) Article 3(8) (possibility of a member of the Council requesting
withdrawal of an “A’’ item from the agenda);
(b) Article 11(1), second subparagraph (possibility of a member of the
Council requesting the opening of a voting procedure);
(c) Article 11(3) (possibility of a member of the Council acting on behalf of
another in a vote);
(d) Article 14(2) (possibility for any member of the Council to oppose
discussion if the texts of any proposed amendments are not drawn up in
the language he or she has specified).!
B
(1) See statement (n) set out below:
(n)Article 14 in Annex I
‘The Council confirms that present practice whereby the texts serving as
a basis for its deliberations are drawn up in all the languages willcontinue to apply.’2000D0396 — EN — 13.03.2001 — 001.001 — 15
ANNEX II
PROVISIONS CONCERNING THE FORM OF ACTS
A. Form of regulations
1. Regulations adopted jointly by the European Parliament and the
Council, and Council regulations shall include:
(a) in their title the word “Regulation’’, followed by a serial number,
the date of their adoption and an indication of their subject
matter;
(b) the words “The European Parliament and the Council of the
European Union’’ or “The Council of the European Union’’, asappropriate;
(c) a reference to the provisions under which the regulation is
adopted, preceded by the words “Having regard to’’;
(d) a citation containing a reference to proposals submitted and to
opinions obtained and consultations held;
(e) a statement of the reasons on which the regulation is based,
preceded by the word “Whereas:’’, the recitals being numbered;
(f) the words “have adopted this Regulation’’ or “has adopted this
Regulation’’, as appropriate, followed by the enacting terms ofthe regulation.
2. Regulations shall be divided into Articles, if appropriate, grouped into
chapters and sections.
3. The final article of a regulation shall fix the date of entry into force,
where that date is before or after the 20th day following publication.
4. The final article of a regulation shall be followed by:
(a) (i) the worlds “This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety
and directly applicable in all Member States.’’
or
(ii) the words “This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety
and directly applicable in the Member States in accordancewith the Treaty establishing the European Community’’, inany cases in which an act is not applicable to, and in, all
Member States (
1),
(b) the words “Done at,’’ followed by the date on which the
regulation was adopted,
and
(c) in the case of
(i) a regulation adopted jointly by the European Parliament and
the Council, the formula:
‘For the European Parliament
The PresidentFor the Council
The President’
followed by the name of the President of the European
Parliament and of the President-in-Office of the Council at
the time when the Regulation is adopted;
(ii) a Council regulation, the formula:
“For the Council
The President’’!B
(1) See statement (o) set out below:
(o)Annex II A
‘The Council would point out that, in the cases provided for in the
Treaties where an act is not applicable to or in all Member States, it is
necessary to make clear its territorial application in the reasons given forand content of the act concerned.’2000D0396 — EN — 13.03.2001 — 001.001 — 16
followed by the name of the President-in-Office of the
Council at the time when the regulation is adopted.
B. Form of directives, decisions, recommendations and opinions (EC
Treaty)
1. Directives and decisions adopted jointly by the European Parliament
and the Council, and directives and decisions of the Council, shallinclude in their titles the word “Directive’’ or “Decision’’.
2. Recommendations and opinions issued by the Council shall include in
their titles the word “Recommendation’’ or “Opinion’’.
3. The provisions relating to regulations set out in A above shall apply
mutatis mutandis, subject to the relevant provisions of the EC Treaty,
to directives and decisions.
C. Form of common strategies of the European Council, joint actions and
common positions referred to in Article 12 of the Treaty on European
Union
Common strategies, joint actions and common positions within the
meaning of Article 12 of the Treaty on European Union shall bear one of
the following headings, as appropriate:
(a) “European Council Common Strategy’’, a serial number (year/
number/CFSP), the date of adoption and the subject matter;
(b) “Council Joint Action’’, a serial number (year/number/CFSP), the
date of adoption and the subject matter;
(c) “Council Common Position’’, a serial number (year/number/CFSP),
the date of adoption and the subject matter.
D. Form of common positions, framework decisions, decisions and
conventions referred to in Article 34(2) of the Treaty on EuropeanUnion
Common positions, framework decisions, decisions and conventions
within the meaning of Article 34(2) of the Treaty on European Unionshall bear one of the following headings, as appropriate
(a) “Council Common Position’’, a serial number (year/number/JHA), the
date of adoption and the subject matter;
(b) “Council framework Decision’’, a serial number (year/number/JHA),
the date of adoption and the subject matter;
(c) “Council Decision’’, a serial number (year/number/JHA), the date of
adoption and the subject matter;
(d) “Convention established by the Council in accordance with Article 34
of the Treaty on European Union’’ and the subject matter.’!
B2000D0396 — EN — 13.03.2001 — 001.001 — 17