Intergovernmental Conference
Encyclopedia
An Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) is the formal procedure for negotiating amendments to the founding treaties of the European Union
. Under the treaties, an IGC is called into being by the European Council
, and is composed of representatives of the member states, with the Commission
, and to a lesser degree the Parliament
also participating.
An IGC will conclude with a meeting of the European Council, at which any political issues requiring resolution at the level of Heads of State or Government will be resolved, and final political agreement will be reached. A final treaty text in each of the community languages will then be prepared by the legal and linguistic experts of the member states, before being presented to the member states for signature and ratification.
There was much criticism of the functioning of this process in the negotiation of the Treaty of Nice
in 2001, especially in regard to the Nice European Council which concluded the IGC. The next IGC, due to meet in October, 2003, was prepared for by the Convention on the Future of Europe, which was modelled after the Convention which negotiated the Charter of Fundamental Rights
. One of the recommendations of the Convention is that a convention be used to prepare for future IGCs; this has now indeed been incorporated into the treaty as a requirement for future treaty revisions, unless the European Parliament decides that it is not necessary (e.g. for minor amendments).
The European Council of 21-22 June 2007 delivered to the Portuguese Presidency the mandate to call an IGC. Its objective was to draw up a Treaty amending the existing Treaties with a view to enhancing the efficiency and democratic legitimacy of the enlarged Union, as well as the coherence of its external action. The mandate provided the exclusive basis and framework for the work of and defines the timetable for completing this task. This IGC concluded its work on 18 October 2007, presenting the Reform Treaty.
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
. Under the treaties, an IGC is called into being by the European Council
European Council
The European Council is an institution of the European Union. It comprises the heads of state or government of the EU member states, along with the President of the European Commission and the President of the European Council, currently Herman Van Rompuy...
, and is composed of representatives of the member states, with the Commission
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
, and to a lesser degree the Parliament
European Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
also participating.
An IGC will conclude with a meeting of the European Council, at which any political issues requiring resolution at the level of Heads of State or Government will be resolved, and final political agreement will be reached. A final treaty text in each of the community languages will then be prepared by the legal and linguistic experts of the member states, before being presented to the member states for signature and ratification.
There was much criticism of the functioning of this process in the negotiation of the Treaty of Nice
Treaty of Nice
The Treaty of Nice was signed by European leaders on 26 February 2001 and came into force on 1 February 2003. It amended the Maastricht Treaty and the Treaty of Rome...
in 2001, especially in regard to the Nice European Council which concluded the IGC. The next IGC, due to meet in October, 2003, was prepared for by the Convention on the Future of Europe, which was modelled after the Convention which negotiated the Charter of Fundamental Rights
Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union
The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union enshrines certain political, social, and economic rights for European Union citizens and residents, into EU law. It was drafted by the European Convention and solemnly proclaimed on 7 December 2000 by the European Parliament, the Council of...
. One of the recommendations of the Convention is that a convention be used to prepare for future IGCs; this has now indeed been incorporated into the treaty as a requirement for future treaty revisions, unless the European Parliament decides that it is not necessary (e.g. for minor amendments).
The European Council of 21-22 June 2007 delivered to the Portuguese Presidency the mandate to call an IGC. Its objective was to draw up a Treaty amending the existing Treaties with a view to enhancing the efficiency and democratic legitimacy of the enlarged Union, as well as the coherence of its external action. The mandate provided the exclusive basis and framework for the work of and defines the timetable for completing this task. This IGC concluded its work on 18 October 2007, presenting the Reform Treaty.
See also
- Intergovernmental Conference on the Common Market and EuratomIntergovernmental Conference on the Common Market and EuratomThe Intergovernmental Conference on the Common Market and Euratom was held in Brussels and started on 26 June 1956 with a session in the Grand Salon of the Belgian Foreign Ministry. The negotiations went on at the Castle of the Valley of the Duchess in Auderghem and would continue until March 1957...
of 1956. - Spaak methodSpaak methodThe Spaak-method of negotiating is named after Paul-Henri Spaak, who applied this method at the Intergovernmental Conference on the Common Market and Euratom in 1956 at Val Duchesse castle in preparing for the Treaties of Rome in 1957....
- Sherpa (G8)Sherpa (G8)A sherpa is the personal representative of a head of state of government who prepares an international summit, particularly the annual G8 Summit. Between the G8 summits there are multiple sherpa conferences where possible agreements are laid out. This reduces the amount of time and resources...