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

Decision making process in the

European Union

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

Working parties• 36 working parties • Create draft framework positions

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

Thank you for your attention !

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