The power-house
JACQUES DELORS, president of the European Commission in 1985-94, thought it was the only European body that really counted. Heads of govern ment? The council? No, he meant the Committee of Permanent Representat ives, which every week brings together members' ambassadors to the EU, and which prepares for all council meetings and European summits. Coreper has huge clout. Permanently in Brussels, ambassadors know each other well, and can feel out deals faster and more effectively than can most ministers.
This article appeared in the Europe section of the print edition under the headline “The power-house”
From the March 8th 1997 edition
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