PROCEEDINGS:

1. Adoption of the agenda of the meeting of the Presidential Troika of COSAC

The meeting was chaired by Mr Edmund WITTBRODT, Chairman of the EU Affairs Committeeof theSenatof the Republic of Poland, and Mr Stanisław RAKOCZY, Chairman of the EUAffairs Committee of theSejmof the Republic of Poland.Mr Edmund WITTBRODT welcomed the delegations of the Presidential Troika of COSAC(hereinafter referred to as "the Troika"). The Chairman extended special thanks to Mr RichárdHÖRCSIK, Chairman of the Committee on European Affairs of the HungarianOrszággyűlés,fora very successful Hungarian Presidency of COSAC and a warm welcome to the new Member ofthe Troika, Ms Anne-Marie MELDGAARD, Chairwoman of the European Affairs Committee ofthe DanishFolketing.Mr Edmund WITTBRODT presented the agenda of the Troika meeting, which was unanimouslyadopted as set out above.

Mr Edmund WITTBRODT outlined the draft agenda of the meeting of the Chairpersons ofCOSAC to be held the following day, 11 July 2011, in the plenary hall of theSenatof theRepublic of Poland. Mr WITTBRODT drew the attention of the Troika to the three main topicsof the draft agenda, i.e. the preparation for the XLVI COSAC, the priorities of the PolishPresidency of the Council of the EU and the EU institutions vis-à-vis conflicts at the EU'sexternal borders. The first topic will be introduced by the Polish Presidency of COSAC, thesecond topic - by Mr Mikołaj DOWGIELEWICZ, Secretary of State for European Affairs of theMinistry of Foreign Affairs of Poland, and the third one - by Ms Cecilia MALMSTRÖM,Commissioner for Home Affairs.Mr Richárd HÖRCSIK congratulated the Polish Presidency on the choice of topics for themeeting of the Chairpersons of COSAC, in particular on that of EU institutions vis-à-visconflicts at the EU's external borders. Mr HÖRCSIK stressed that the Eastern Partnership was avery important priority of the Polish Presidency. He also regretted that the accession to theSchengen area by Bulgaria and Romania could not become a reality during the HungarianPresidency and expressed the hope that in two to tree months it would materialise.Mr WITTBRODT thanked Mr HÖRCSIK for his comments. The draft agenda was unanimouslyapproved as proposed by the Polish Presidency.

3. Debate on the draft programme of the XLVI COSAC

Mr Stanisław RAKOCZY presented the draft programme of the XLVI COSAC to be held in theplenary hall of theSejmof the Republic of Poland on 2-4 October 2011, just five days before thegeneral elections in Poland foreseen on 9 October 2011. Mr RAKOCZY informed the Troikathat the agenda of the meeting of the XLVI COSAC will focus on two main issues: theMultiannual Financial Framework for 2014-2020 (hereinafter referred to as "the MFF") and"Two years after the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon". The first issue will be dealt withfrom two perspectives: that of the EU budget and that of the cohesion policy. Therefore, thePolish Presidency suggested inviting Mr Janusz LEWANDOWSKI, Commissioner for Budgetand Financial Programming, as a key-note speaker on the budget perspective of the MFF and MsElżbieta BIEŃKOWSKA, Minister of Regional Development of the Republic of Poland, on thecohesion policy perspective of the MFF.As to the issue "Two years after the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon", Mr RAKOCZYconfirmed that Mr Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Vice-President of the Commission for Inter-InstitutionalRelations and Administration, had kindly accepted the invitation of the Polish Presidency tospeak on this issue which will include national Parliaments' opinions on the practicalimplementation of Protocol 2 of the Treaty of Lisbon, on the informal political dialogue betweennational Parliaments and the European Commission which originally started in 2006 as a resultof COSAC debates and on delegated acts under Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning ofthe European Union (hereinafter referred to as "the TFEU").The aforementioned topics will be analysed in two chapters of the 16th Bi-annual Report whichwill serve as a background document for the debates at the XLVI COSAC meeting.

In addition, Mr RAKOCZY drew the attention of the Troika to two traditional items on theagenda, i.e. an exchange of views on the state of play of the Presidency of the Council of the EUand a debate on the adoption of the Contribution and Conclusions of COSAC.Finally, Mr RAKOCZY expressed hope that the XLVI COSAC will take a decision on the nextPermanent Member of the COSAC Secretariat (for 2012-2013), as the term of office of thecurrent Permanent Member, Ms Loreta RAULINAITYTĖ, expires on 31 December 2011.Mr Miguel Ángel MARTÍNEZ MARTÍNEZ expressed his support for the relevant and timelysubjects of the proposed agenda of the XLVI COSAC meeting and suggested inviting two morekey-note speakers to the meeting. Mr Jerzy BUZEK, President of the European Parliament,former Prime Minister of Poland, could intervene on the item of "Two years after the entry intoforce of the Treaty of Lisbon". He had preliminarily accepted the proposal to speak at the XLVICOSAC meeting in Warsaw. The second proposed speaker was Mr Salvador GARRIGAPOLLEDO, Member of the European Parliament and rapporteur on the MFF. Mr MARTÍNEZMARTÍNEZ underlined that the report of the European Parliament on "Investing in the future: anew Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for a competitive, sustainable and inclusiveEurope" (2010/2211(INI)) had served as a source of inspiration to the Commission as it had beenadopted on 26 May 2011, a month before the Commission adopted its package of proposals onthe MFF for 2014-2020.As the agenda of the XLVI COSAC was already full, Mr MARTÍNEZ MARTÍNEZ suggestedholding COSAC debates on the following four subjects, possibly during the Danish Presidencyin the first semester of 2012: i) reinforced cooperation of the European Parliament and nationalParliaments on EU economic governance and the European Semester, ii) parliamentary scrutinyof Europol and Eurojust, iii) the European citizens' initiative, and iv) the European electoral law.Mr Richárd HÖRCSIK supported the agenda item on the MFF, as an issue of utmost importancenot only during the Polish, but also during the Danish and Cypriot Presidencies, underlining theneed to create a policy-driven multiannual EU budget.Ms Anne-Marie MELDGAARD agreed that the focus on the next MFF at the XLVI COSACwas the right one and was convinced that COSAC will have a substantial debate on the topic.Mr Stanisław RAKOCZY thanked the delegations for their comments and suggestions,especially for proposing the additional interventions by Mr Jerzy BUZEK and Mr SalvadorGARRIGA POLLEDO. With these amendments the draft programme of the XLVI COSAC wasapproved.

4. Approval of the outline of the 16th Bi-annual Report

Mr Stanisław RAKOCZY presented the draft outline of the 16th Bi-annual Report of COSAC.The Presidency suggested that the report would consist of two chapters. The first chapter wouldfocus on the role of national Parliaments in the context of the new MFF for Europe 2020. Thesecond chapter would deal with parliamentary experience two years after the entry into force ofthe Treaty of Lisbon, in particular the impact of reasoned opinions issued under Protocol 2 of theTreaty of Lisbon, the evaluation of the informal political dialogue between national Parliaments3

and the European Commission and the implementation of Article 290 of the TFEU on delegatedacts.Mr RAKOCZY also drew the attention of the Troika to the intention to have a set of questionsaddressed specifically to the European Parliament,inter alia,to find out how reasoned opinionsand contributions of national Parliaments are dealt with in the European Parliament.Finally, Mr RAKOCZY asked the COSAC Secretariat to do a comparative analysis on whetherreasoned opinions of national Parliaments are timely and duly published on IPEX, a tool forexchanging information on EU parliamentary activities.Mr Miguel Ángel MARTÍNEZ MARTÍNEZ noted that the planned deadline for the replies tothe questionnaire for the 16th Bi-annual Report, i.e. 26 August 2011, coincided with theparliamentary summer recess and therefore could be problematic not only to the EuropeanParliament, but also to many national Parliaments. He suggested that the deadline be extendeduntil 8 September.Mr RAKOCZY explained that because of the early date of the XLVI COSAC meeting, i.e. on 2-4 October 2011, it was important to ensure that the COSAC Secretariat had sufficient time todraft the report. Consequently, he suggested maintaining the 26 August deadline, with an in-builtflexibility. This was agreed.Ms Anne-Marie MELDGAARD supported the Presidency's choice of topics for the 16th Bi-annual Report and agreed that the MFF was the most important topic for the upcoming one and ahalf years. As to the second topic, Ms MELDGAARD was of the opinion that it was a good timeto evaluate parliamentary activities under the provisions of the Treaty of Lisbon and to shareinformation and experience on how to improve them. The Chairwoman also informed the Troikaabout a new and so far satisfactory procedure recently introduced in the DanishFolketingon thescrutiny of delegated acts.Mr Andrzej GAŁAŻEWSKI informed the Troika that one of the aims of the next Bi-annualReport was to raise awareness of the Members of the European Parliament about reasonedopinions issued by national Parliaments. In addition to the Commission and the Council,reasoned opinions are also sent to the European Parliament which, as practice had showed, is notalways aware of their existence and availability.Following the debate, the Troika approved the draft outline of the 16th Bi-annual Report asproposed by the Polish Presidency.

Mr WITTBRODT reminded the Troika that during the Hungarian Presidency an overwhelmingmajority of national Parliaments had sent letters of intent on the co-financing of the PermanentMember of the COSAC Secretariat and the costs of running the office and website of COSACfor 2012-2013. He then reminded that under Article 11bisof the COSAC Rules of Procedure thecandidate to Permanent Member of the COSAC Secretariat was proposed by the Troika andappointed by the Chairpersons of COSAC. Hence, interviews of candidates were foreseen duringthe meeting of the Troika on 2 October 2011 and the appointment - during the meeting of theChairpersons of COSAC on 3 October 2011.Mr WITTBRODT drew the Troika's attention to the draft letter prepared by the PolishPresidency in which national Parliaments were invited to propose candidates for the post fromtheir staff members until 16 September 2011. The Presidency also intended to ask for thecandidate's CV. Mr MARTÍNEZ MARTÍNEZ suggested also requesting the candidate'smotivation letter (cover letter) so that candidates could explain why they had been interested ingetting such a significant job.The Troika agreed with the suggestion of Mr MARTÍNEZ MARTÍNEZ to include in thePresidency's letter the requirement to submit a candidate's motivation letter (cover letter).

6. Letters received by the Presidency

Mr Edmund WITTBRODT informed the Troika that so far the Polish Presidency had notreceived any letters.

7. Any other business

Ms Anne-Marie MELDGAARD, on behalf of the incoming Danish Presidency of COSAC,informed the Troika that the XLVII COSAC meeting will take place on 22-24 April 2012 whilethe date of the meeting of the Chairpersons of COSAC in the first semester of 2012 was stillunder consideration. Ms MELDGAARD also noted the intention of the Danish Presidency tofocus on political discussions, especially related to the 20th anniversary of the internal marketwhich plays a key role in boosting European economy and creating more jobs. Final decisions onthe COSAC meetings during the first semester of 2012 will be taken after the general electionsin Denmark later this year.When asked by Mr WITTBRODT about the position of the Danish Government on theSchengen area, Ms MELDGAARD explained that the Danish Customs Control Agreement hadattracted a lot of attention both inside and outside the EU. She underlined that the agreementonly related to customs control and that it was in full conformity with EU law and the Schengenregulation. The Danish Government is engaged in dialogue with the Commission and willregularly inform the Commission about its implementation until the beginning of 2014. Theagreement provides for employing additional 98 customs officers and for building road facilitiesto ensure safety of road users and customs officers. Ms MELDGAARD underlined that herpersonal opinion on the agreement differed from that of the Government and that if theGovernment changes following the general elections later this year no new buildings would bebuilt at the Danish borders.5

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PRESIDENTIAL TROIKA OF COSAC

Warsaw, 10 July 2011

PRESENT AT THE MEETING:

AGENDA:

1. Adoption of the agenda of the meeting of the Presidential Troika of COSAC

2. Approval of the draft agenda of the meeting of the Chairpersons of COSAC

3. Debate on the draft programme of the XLVI COSAC

4. Approval of the outline of the 16th Bi-annual Report

5. Procedure for nomination of the next Permanent Member of the COSAC Secretariat

6. Letters received by the Presidency

7. Any other business

PROCEEDINGS:

1. Adoption of the agenda of the meeting of the Presidential Troika of COSAC

2. Approval of the draft agenda of the meeting of the Chairpersons of COSAC

3. Debate on the draft programme of the XLVI COSAC

4. Approval of the outline of the 16th Bi-annual Report

5. Procedure for nomination of the next Permanent Member of the COSAC Secretariat

6. Letters received by the Presidency

7. Any other business