Abstract

As a part of what the specialized doctrine calls the “bicameral legislative of the European Union”, the Council, representing the Member States, is undoubtedly one of the most important decision-making institutions in the EU. Its modus operandi, however, can be analyzed on two levels. One of these, consisting of the rules according to which the acts are adopted (in particular, the necessary majority) is found in the treaties on which the European Union comes. The second level, however, which can be called “diplomatic”, is the work of the representatives of the Member States, meeting in the Committee of Permanent Representatives. Although it enjoys less visibility, compared to the Council formations, it is in fact responsible for most of the acts adopted in the Council. In the following paper we will analyze the functioning of this institution and its role in the institutional ensemble of the European Union.

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