The Member States' Ambassadors to the European Union (Coreper) briefly discussed, on Friday 14 February, a possible EU Council position on the Conference on the Future of the EU without finding a compromise.
“All attention is now focused on the Multiannual Financial Framework” (MFF) 2021-2027, said one European source, referring to the new proposal for a negotiating box on the post-2020 EU budget that European Council President Charles Michel sent to Member States ahead of the European Summit on Thursday 20 February (see EUROPE 12426/1).
The Croatian Presidency of the EU Council needs more time for further "consultations" with Member States, but "it has not said when" it will put this dossier back on Coreper's agenda, the source added.
"We're not late. (...) There remains essentially the question of the presidency, which is not a question of people, but rather what kind of presidency we want", said another European source.
The Croatian authorities had submitted a new revised compromise proposal, including on the issue of governance. According to this proposal, of which EUROPE has received a copy, the Conference, which is due to begin its work on 9 May, potentially in Dubrovnik, would be placed under the authority of an "eminent and independent European personality, who would act as its single chair". This personality "should be able to represent the joint interests of the three institutions and be selected by mutual agreement among them".
The text emphasises that this reflection on the future of the EU closely involving European citizens for two years should not be based on a predetermined outcome. It does not constitute a Convention or a process leading to a revision of the Treaties (Article 48 of the EU Treaty).
Once the EU Council's position is established, negotiations will begin with the European Parliament and the Commission with a view to reaching a mandate in the form of a joint interinstitutional declaration.
See the latest draft compromise of the Croatian Presidency: http://bit.ly/2SqGAql (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)