Better lawmaking: Convergence of national policies: the open method of coordination
As part of the process of preparing the White Paper on Governance, a report
 [232 KB]
produced by the Commission had tabled recommendations on this subject.
In particular, the report provided a definition and a generally positive - albeit cautious - review of the various cases in which the Member States had used the "open method of coordination" as a means of achieving convergence between certain national policies.
The White Paper set out the circumstances for using the open method of coordination, namely:
-
Using the open method of coordination must not dilute the achievement of common objectives in the Treaty or the political responsibility of the institutions.
-
It should not be used when legislative action under the Community method is possible.
-
It should ensure overall accountability in line with the following requirements:
-
it should be used to achieve defined Treaty objectives;
-
mechanisms for reporting regularly to the European Parliament should be established;
-
the Commission should be closely involved and play a coordinating role;
-
the data and information generated should be disseminated widely and should provide a basis for determining whether legislative or programme-based action is needed in order to overcome particular problems highlighted.
|
