No. 12

Download

Share

Print

Engagement in Decision-making Process of the Countries Which Acceded to the European Union in 2004

14 December 2005

Studies

RiTo No. 12, 2005

  • Olev Aarma

    European Affairs Committee of Riigikogu, Head of Secretariat and adviser

The aim of the article is to give a brief overview of the changes the CCEEs that joined the EU on 1 May 2004 made in their parliamentary EU scrutiny mechanisms. Most of these countries have opted for the so-called “Nordic Model” which means a strong parliamentary involvement in EU decision-making process.

Four parameters are described, i.e. the form of mandate given to the Government, participation of the members of the Government in EU Affairs Committees’ meetings, the types of received documents and ways of receiving as well as the involvement of specialized committees.

The conclusions include, inter alia:

  • the legally binding/non-binding nature of the mandate given to the executive branch does not reflect the real power of the parliament in participating in the EU decision-making process;
  • the biggest problem for the parliaments seems to be the time factor;
  • the parliaments of the new member states have chosen a variety of different approaches to document selection, receiving and level of involvement of specialized committees.

Full article in Estonian

Feedback