The generally used abbreviation COSAC comes from the original French name Conférence des Organes Specialisés dans les Affaires Communautaires (Conference of Bodies Specialised in Community Affairs). It is a forum for cooperation and exchange of information, especially concerning practical aspects of parliamentary control of EU matters, among the national parliaments of the EU member states and the European Parliament, which was established in May 1989 in Madrid. COSAC meets twice a year in the state holding the Presidency of the EU Council.
Each national parliament is represented by a maximum of six members of its EU affairs committee(s). The European Parliament is also represented by six members. Observers can be invited to the meetings.
According to the Treaties, COSAC may submit any contribution it deems appropriate for the attention of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission. These contributions do not bind national parliaments and do not prejudge their positions. Contributions are published in the EU Official Journal, series C.
See more: Lexicon of multilateral parliamentary cooperation in EU affairs
COSAC meetings (and documents adopted)
- Meetings of the Chairpersons of COSAC
- Basic documents
- Rules of Procedure of the COSAC, OJ 2011 C 229, p. 1
- Copenhagen parliamentary guidelines
- COSAC bi-annual reports
- COSAC reports on subsidiarity and proportionality checks
- Haenel H., De Croo H.: Evolution of COSAC over the last 20 years
- COSAC meetings - calendar
COSAC documents on the national parliaments' position in the EU under the Lisbon Treaty
Coordinated subsidiarity checks before the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon
