EU Simulation 2010

      The Mid-Atlantic European Union Simulation seeks to approximate the actual decision-making process of the European Union.  For example, the 2010 MEUS focused on EU’s policy toward its southern neighbors.  In particular, Members of the European Parliament as well as the Council of Ministers, the European Council, and the EU Commission, debated this eight-page legislative proposal on cooperation with the Palestinian Authority and on proper ways to remedy pollution of the Mediterranean Sea.
      Over three days, participants were involved in various stages of the legislative process and were briefed by the embassy staff of the country they represented.  A detailed schedule of the 2010 EU Simulation follows:

2010 MEUSC MEETING AGENDA AND BRIEF OUTLINE

Thursday, November 18th
10:00 a.m.  All Embassy Briefings

  • Proper professional attire required
  • Brief lecture by foreign diplomat concerning respective country’s perspective on resolution topic

12:00 p.m. Lunch

  • By delegation; own arrangements

2:45 p.m./ 3:00 p.m.  Opening Ceremonies & Plenary Session Speaker

  • Welcome to all program participants
  • Required attendance by all participants

       
4:00 p.m.  National Government Speeches

  • 3-4 minute opening remarks by Heads of Governments and State (HOGS)
  • Required attendance for all program participants

5:00 p.m.  Break

  • Quick change to business casual dress for Party Group/Ministerial/HOGS Meetings and Dinners

5:25 p.m.                  Party Group Meetings – Required attendance for all MEPs

  • Introductions:  First opportunity to meet other MEPs in your party
  • Election of party leaders - chair and vice-chair, who must come from separate committees and should come from separate countries
  • Note: A student can only hold one elected position during simulation
  • Discussion of issues most important to your party
  • Discussion and consideration of coalition building with like-minded parties
  • Emphasis throughout should focus on your party, not the country you represent
  • Begin thinking of nominations for committee chairperson, vice-chairperson, and rapporteur from your party

5:25 p.m.                  Joint Council of Ministers Meeting and European Council Meeting – Required attendance for all Ministers and HOGS

  • Introductions:  First opportunity to meet other Ministers; HOGS meet together as well
  • Begin discussion of issues most important to your country

6:30 p.m.  Depart for Restaurants

  • A working dinner – simulation sponsored – attendance required

7:00 p.m.  Working Dinner(s)

  • European Council:
    • HOGS sit together
    • Continue discussion of issues of concern
  • EU Commission:
    • Discuss possible/probable resolution questions
    • Assign members to specific meetings
  • Ministers:
    • Sit with ministers who hold similar portfolio
    • Discuss issues of vital concern
  • European Parliament:
    • Seating by Party Group
    • Like minded parties adjacent to each other
    • Continue coalition building with other parties
    • Finalize slate(s) of candidates for committee chair, vice-chair and rapporteur

9:00 p.m.                Rules Briefing

  • Required Attendance of all MEPs
  • Conducted by professors
  • Review procedures manual
  • Roberts Rules are not utilized
  • QMV used when appropriate in ministerial councils

9:30 p.m.                Parliamentary Committees Meet

  • Initial Meeting Chaired by Eldest Sitting MEP
  • Order of Business for both Parliamentary Committees is to Elect Committee Chair, Vice-Chair, & Rapporteur

Friday, November 19th
8:30 a.m. Simultaneous Sessions

  • EP Parliament:
    • Committees begin work on amending resolution
    • Rapporteurs working in concert with Committee leadership must have a draft copy of amended resolution at the end of the day.
  • European Council
    • Tour de Table
    • Summit-Style Meeting
    • Rarely, if ever, would vote on an issue
    • Discuss pressing issues facing the EU
  • Ministerial Councils
    • Each member opens with brief (1-2 minute) statement on the resolution
    • Begin work on amending resolution
    • Consensus rather than voting
    • Troika must have a draft copy of amended resolution at the end of the day
  • Commission
    • Attend meetings as directed by President Barroso
    • Be available to answer questions about resolution as needed

10:30 a.m.              Coffee Break

10:45 a.m.              Resume Deliberations and Simultaneous Sessions

12:00 p.m.              Lunch by National Delegations

2:00 p.m.                Party Group Meetings

  • Chaired by Caucus/Vice Caucus Chairs
  • Representatives from each committee give report on work to date
    • Discuss amendments that have been proposed
    • Find areas of agreement and disagreement
    • Strategize as to whether party platform is represented in resolution
    • Further negotiations with other like-minded political parties
  • National Ministers Meetings
    • Individual HOGS meet with their Ministers to discuss progress on resolution and to strategize

 

3:00 p.m.                Resume Committee Meetings
-       EP Committees and Ministerial Councils must have a draft version of their work at day’s end

  • European Council continues to address its own agenda

5:30 p.m.                Recess Sessions for the Day
7:00 p.m.                Reception in the Ballroom

  • Professional Attire Required
  • Awards for Best Commissioner, and  1 MEP from each Committee
  • Socialize with Members of other Delegations

8:30 p.m.                Adjourn for the Day

Saturday, November 20th
8:15 a.m.                Simultaneous Sessions

  • Plenary Session of the European Parliament
    • Initial Meeting Chaired by Eldest Sitting MEP
    • President, Vice-President and Rapporteur need to be selected from Parliament
    • Review amended resolution as provided by the two committees
    • Come to agreement on a final draft document

-       Joint Council

    • Review amended resolution as provided by the two ministerial councils
    • Come to agreement on a final draft document

10:00 a.m. Coffee Break

10:15 a.m. Conciliation Session between Joint Council and Parliament
As part of the co-decision process, the Conciliation Committee, meeting at 10:15 AM on Saturday, brings members from the Joint Council of Ministers, the Plenary Session of the European Parliament, and the Commission together to negotiate a compromise on disputed proposals. The emphasis should be on finding consensus on these issues so that all sides can agree on modified proposals. If compromise agreements are reached, the modified proposals will then be submitted for approval to the 1:00 PM meetings of the Joint Council and European Parliament. The goal of this process is that the final draft resolutions of the Joint Council and Plenary Session of European Parliament will be as much in accord with each other as possible.

In the Conciliation Committee, the President, Vice-President, and Rapporteur of the European Parliament, and the Party Caucus Chairs will represent Parliament. The President and Rapporteur of the Joint Council, along with one minister from each of the remaining Member States (chosen by the States themselves) will represent the Council. The Presidents of the Council and the Parliament run the meeting jointly. Before the general meeting begins, the two Presidents, aided by the two Rapporteurs, should review the two resolutions briefly to locate areas of disagreement. The general meeting should then address these areas in search of compromise agreements. The Commission President and two other Commissioners (selected by the President) represent the Commission, answering question for the Committee. Other commissioners and ministers who are not part of the Committee should observe. During this period all other MEPs attend party meetings led by the Political Group Vice-Chairs.

10:15 a.m.  Party Group Meetings

  • Vice Caucus Leaders Chair Meetings
  • Meet for final consideration of work on resolution from political party perspective  

11:30 a.m.  Lunch by National Delegation

1:00 p.m. Final Simultaneous Sessions

  • European Parliament
    • Concludes Final Action on Draft Resolution
    • Final votes on proposed amendments
  • Joint Council
    • Final preparations for presentation of draft resolution to European Council
    • Final stance for national perspectives and positions by ministers
  • European Council
    • Business concluded by European Council other than draft resolution

2:00 p.m. Ministers and HOGS Finalize National Positions on Draft Resolution

2:30 p.m. European Council Summit on Draft Resolution
-       President presents the conclusions of the European Council 
-       Members of European Parliament Observe
-       Final position of National Governments, with Ministers advising HOGS

 

3:45 p.m. European Parliament Reviews Council Action
-     Opportunity to accept or reject in entirety only

5:00 p.m. Presentation of Final Awards (Ministers, European Council, and 2 Plenary MEPs) & Adjournment

 

EU