[MarkK]

Currently:
"The ministers of the Member States meet within the Council of the European Union. Depending on the issue on the agenda, each country will be represented by the minister responsible for that subject (foreign affairs, finance, social affairs, transport, agriculture, etc.)."

After Lisbon, will all these meetings be chaired by the EU Council President, or will he/she just chair the heads of government meetings?

[Scofflaw]

Originally Posted by MarkK

Currently:
"The ministers of the Member States meet within the Council of the European Union. Depending on the issue on the agenda, each country will be represented by the minister responsible for that subject (foreign affairs, finance, social affairs, transport, agriculture, etc.)."

After Lisbon, will all these meetings be chaired by the EU Council President, or will he/she just chair the heads of government meetings?

The President of the European Council - that's the new role - will chair European Council (heads of government) meetings, 4 times yearly. The Council of the European Union (aka the Council of Ministers) will continue to meet under its own six-month rotating presidency.

cordially,
Scofflaw

[marco_polo]

Originally Posted by MarkK

Currently:
"The ministers of the Member States meet within the Council of the European Union. Depending on the issue on the agenda, each country will be represented by the minister responsible for that subject (foreign affairs, finance, social affairs, transport, agriculture, etc.)."

After Lisbon, will all these meetings be chaired by the EU Council President, or will he/she just chair the heads of government meetings?

Each Council of Ministers meeting currently has it own president, and this will continue as is on a 6 monthly rotation.

The President of the European Council will only sit in on European Council meetings.