Extraordinary Liaison Forum on the functioning and potential of European sectoral social dialogue

30 September 2010
08:30 - 18:00

The Commission, in collaboration with the Belgian Presidency, is holding a day-long liaison forum intended to examine the functioning in recent years, and primarily since the decision of the Commission on 20 May 1998 on the European social dialogue. The forum will offer the chance to present an overview of the achievements realized in recent years. The participants will consider best practices as well as investigating the points that can reinforce the sectoral dialogue in Europe. The European Union recognizes that social dialogue is a highly important aspect of social cohesion and progress.

The Commission will present to the participants their working document outlining the sectoral dialogue, in addition to indicating the areas in which more work needs to be done in order to strengthen the sectoral dialogue. The document covers the major developments and objectives of the sectoral dialogue at the European level since 1998, the year in which these committees were formalized.

The participants will have the opportunity to exchange ideas and present best practices, whilst proposals for ways to strengthen the sectoral dialogue will also be considered.

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Where

Crowne Plaza Hotel, Rue Gineste 3, Brussels 1210

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Jean-paul Tricart
Head of Unit for Social Dialogue and Industrial Relations
Jean-Paul.Tricart@ec.europa.eu
+32 (0)2 95 21 29
European Commission - DG Employment

Decision-making process

Council of the EU:
The Council decides

The Council decides on legislative proposals. This takes place in accordance with normal legislative procedure, in consultation with the European Parliament. The Council meets in various configurations. There have been ten council configurations since the Treaty of Lisbon came into effect. Each council configuration deals with a number of fixed areas and is comprised of the authorised national ministers. Every minister in the Council is authorised to enter into agreements on behalf of their government. Each council configuration – except for the Foreign Affairs Council, which is chaired by the High Representative – is chaired by the member state currently presiding over the rotating six month role.
European Parliament:
The European Parliament decides

The European Parliament has various commissions. They prepare the contents of the recommendations for the legislative proposals. The European Parliament, together with the Council, accepts legislative proposals from the European Commission. Since the Treaty of Lisbon came into effect, the procedure whereby both institutions decide on the vast majority of the areas on an equal footing (normal legislative procedure) has been applicable. In this normal legislative procedure, both institutions must approve the legislative proposal in question. The European Parliament can accept, reject or change the content of legislative proposals.
Council working groups and the COREPER:
The council working groups and the COREPER prepare

The council working groups and the Permanent Representatives Committee prepare the Council activities. They attempt to prepare the ground as much as possible for a compromise. There is therefore a long and intensive preparation before every Council meeting. The member state chairing the Council presides over the Coreper and the bulk of the council working groups.
European Commission:
The European Commission draws up new legislative proposals

The European Commission draws up legislative proposals that it presents to the Parliament and the Council. These proposals must protect the interests of the EU as a whole. The Commission is comprised of 27 members. Each member state therefore nominates one member. The College of Commissioners meets every week on Wednesday mornings in Brussels. In these meetings they discuss each point on the agenda and then make a collective decision. Each member of the Commission can request a vote. The European Commission decides by normal majority.

Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union

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