1. Bulgaria’s
participation in
decision-making
process in the EU
Yoanna Yordanova
Ministry of Finance of Republic of Bulgaria

2. • 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

3. Decision making process
in the European Union

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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
configurations
economic and financial affairs (ECOFIN)
foreign affairs
general affairs
justice and home affairs

9. 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)

11. Economic and Financial Affairs Council
(ECOFIN)
• ECOFIN Council is made of the
economics and finance ministers
from all member states
• Responsibilities :
Economic policy
Taxation issues
Regulation of financial services

12. 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

13. Working parties
• 36 working parties
• Create draft framework
positions

14. The Council for European
Affairs
• Consultative body
• Accept the framework
positions and draft positions
• Approves strategic or
planning documents

15. 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

17. 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