Coreper - Permanent Representatives Committee

Committees of senior civil servants play a key role in drafting legislation. The most important of these is Coreper, the Committee of Permanent Representatives, which is responsible for preparing Ministerial-level Council meetings. Coreper meets in two configurations, Coreper I and Coreper II, which deal with different subject areas.

The Permanent Representatives Committee sets out to settle as many differences of opinion between Member States as possible. If consensus cannot be achieved by Coreper, the matter is referred to ministers at a session of the Council. The ministers often accept proposals prepared by Coreper as drafted.

Meetings are held on a weekly basis and more frequently at busy times. The proceedings are chaired by the Permanent Representative and Deputy of the Member State holding the presidency. The meetings are also attended by representatives of the European Commission, the Council Secretariat and the Council’s Legal Service.

Coreper I

In Coreper I the Member States are represented by their Deputy Permanent Representatives based at their Permanent Representation in Brussels. Finland is represented by Ambassador  Marianne Huusko-Lamponen.

Coreper I deals with

• Employment, social policy, health and consumer affairs
• Competitiveness (internal market, industry and research)
• Transport, telecommunications and energy
• Agriculture and fisheries
• Environment
• Education, youth, culture and sport.

Coreper II

In Coreper II the Member States are represented by their Permanent Representatives, i.e. by their Ambassadors at the Permanent Representations in Brussels. Finland is represented by Ambassador Jan Store.

Coreper II deals with

• General affairs and external relations
• Economic and financial matters
• Justice and home affairs
• Preparation of European Councils and other summits.