HANDBOOK ON CSDP
PESCO, in particular with regard to third state participation, and asked for work to proceed on the implementation of the common set of proposals in the context of EU-NATO cooperation. (EUCO 9/19): The European Council highlighted, under the header of “A new Strategic Agenda 2019-2024” that the EU’s CFSP and CSDP must become more responsive and active and be better linked to the other strands of external relations. The EU also needs to take greater responsibility for its own security and defence, in particular by enhancing defence investment, capability development and operational readiness; it will cooperate closely with NATO, in full respect of the principles set out in the Treaties and by the European Council, including the principles of inclusiveness, reciprocity and decision-making autonomy of the EU. Relations with strategic partners, including our transatlantic partners, and emerging powers have to be a key component of a robust foreign policy. To that end, there need to be far more synergies between the EU and the bilateral levels. The EU can only engage with other global powers on an equal footing if it avoids a piecemeal approach and presents a united front, backed up by EU and Member State resources.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION To learn more about the work of the European Council and its President, go to: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/ european-council/ http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/ european-council/president/
2.1.2. THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION The Council of the European Union (“the Council”), in conjunction with the European Parliament, is the Union institution that exercises legislative and budgetary functions. It carries out policy-making and coordinating functions as laid down in the Treaties. It consists of a representative of each Member State at ministerial level, who may commit the government of the Member State in question and cast its vote. The Council acts by a qualified majority4 except where the Treaties provide otherwise. In the area of the CFSP/CSDP, the Council usually acts by consensus and unanimity5. The adoption of legislative acts is excluded (Article 24 TEU)6. Currently, the Council of the EU meets in the following 10 configurations: 1. General Affairs 2. Foreign Affairs 3. Economic and Financial Affairs 4. Justice and Home Affairs 5. Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs 6. Competitiveness (Internal Market, Industry, Research and Space) 7. Transport, Telecommunications and Energy 8. Agriculture and Fisheries 9. Environment 10. Education, Youth, Culture and Sport The General Secretariat of the Council (GSC) assists the work of the Council. It is headed by its Secretary-General, who is appointed by the Council. The Secretary-General bears responsibility for
4 A qualified majority is reached if 55% of Member States representing at least 65% of the EU population vote in favour. 5 Atypical acts without specific legal basis in the Treaties, such as Council conclusions, are in practice approved by consensus, while legal acts in the area of the CFSP/CSDP are mostly adopted by unanimity. In this policy area, the Council may act by qualified majority when adopting a decision defining a Union action or position on the basis of a decision or following a specific request of the European Council to the High Representative, when adopting any decision implementing a decision defining a Union action or position, and when appointing a EU special representative (Article 31.2 TEU). In addition, some decisions in relation to the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) in the CSDP may be taken by qualified majority voting (Articles 46.2 and 46.3 TEU). 6 The exclusion of the adoption of legislative acts does not deprive CFSP Decisions of their binding nature, which is confirmed by Article 28.2 TEU. The exclusion of legislative acts is mostly linked to the exclusion of the legislative procedure from the area of the CFSP, and hence with the inapplicability of the role of the Commission and the European Parliament in this procedure.
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