PROJECT ON THE ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT IN THE EUROPEAN CONVENTION

 

In 2008, the Royal University Institute of European Studies embarked on a consultancy project funded by the European Parliament, "The EP delegation to the European Convention: a political analysis", which culminated in 2010 with the publication of a document setting out the conclusions reached.

This project aimed at analysing the role played by the European Parliament during the 2002 European Convention for the reform of the Treaties, both from an internal and institutional point of view.

From an internal perspective, the report examined the process of appointing the European Parliament delegation, its mandate and political priorities, as well as the functioning of internal channels between the delegation and the other bodies and actors of Parliament (Presidency, parliamentary committees, and especially with the Committee on Constitutional Affairs and the political parties).

From an external perspective, the report analysed the role of the EP Delegation to the Convention (Presidency and Secretariat, working groups and plenary sessions), its action through the main working methods of the Convention (deliberation, negotiation, consensus and informal channels) and the Delegation's relations with other actors (national parliaments, national governments and the European Commission).

The main source of this study is based on 23 interviews with relevant actors of the Convention, including members of the European Parliament, national parliamentarians, national government representatives or representatives of the European Commission.

Consult the project here