EU Council of Ministers

This page highlights some of the current parliamentary material available on the European Union Council of Ministers. This includes select committee reports, briefing papers on current legislation and other subjects produced by the parliamentary research services, and the latest Early Day Motions put down by MPs.

Standard Notes

DateDescription
15.07.2013In brief: the 2014 bloc opt-out and selective opt-back-ins
This note, prepared for the parliamentary debate on 15 July 2013, looks briefly at the current situation regarding the UK's 2014 decision on justice and home affairs measures and lists the 35 measures the Government would like to opt back into.
23.05.2013Voting Behaviour in the EU Council
This Note looks at the voting behaviour of Member States in the EU Council when a Qualified Majority is required for the adoption of an EU measure, and at other factors which may influence the outcome of a QMV decision. It also considers the UK's voting record and possible future scenarios when the voting rules change and the Eurozone expands.
26.02.2013European Union (Approvals) Bill [HL] 2012-13: Committee Stage Report
The European Union (Approvals) Bill [HL] 2012-13 seeks to approve three EU draft decisions before the UK Government can approve their adoption in the EU Council.
11.12.2012Recent EU Treaty Amendments and UK Ratification
This Note outlines the three Treaty amendments that have been adopted under amended Article 48 TEU since the Lisbon Treaty came into force and how these amendments have been ratified in the UK.
20.03.2012The UK's 2014 Jurisdiction Decision in EU Police and Criminal Justice Proposals
In 2014 the UK Government must make a decision on whether to opt into the body of police and criminal justice measures in the former 'third pillar' of the EU Treaties that remain unamended since the Treaty of Lisbon came into force in December 2009.

Research Papers

DateDescription
31.01.2013European Union (Approvals) Bill
The European Union (Approvals) Bill (HC Bill 121) aims to approve two draft EU Council decisions and one draft decision of the European Council (the EU Heads of State and Government).

Standard Notes

DateDescription
08.02.2010Implementing the Lisbon Treaty
This Note looks at how the Lisbon Treaty, which came into force on 1 December 2009, is being implemented. It also considers how the UK might scrutinise the new procedures ...
18.11.2009The Lisbon Treaty: choosing a High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
This Note looks at the role of the new High Representative for EU foreign affairs and security policy, the method of appointment and possible candidates for the ...
01.10.2009The 2009 Swedish Presidency of the EU
This Note looks at the Swedish European Union Presidency programme, its priorities and some of the issues and events that have dominated the first half of the Presidency. ...
24.02.2009The UK Parliament and European Business: recent reforms and scrutiny issues
This Note looks at changes to EU scrutiny procedures in 2008 and 2009, as well as other scrutiny issues, such as the Government's use of the scrutiny override and ...

Glossary

  • Research Papers (RP) - briefings produced by the House of Commons Library on Bills, topical issues and regular statistics
  • Standard Notes (SN) - shorter, topical briefings from the Commons Library
  • Early Day Motions (EDMs) - formal motions submitted by MPs in the House of Commons
  • POST Notes - short briefing notes produced by the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology
  • Lords Library Notes (LLN) - papers compiled by the House of Lords Library on Bills and for debates in the Lords