The Netherlands' position in Brussels

It is very important that Dutch MPs know what is going on in Europe. In order to enable MPs to exercise influence on the European policy-making, there is frequent consultation between the House of Representatives and the government. The House always discusses the position to be taken in Brussels in advance with the minister in charge. That is how the democratic control by the Dutch parliament of the decision-making process in Brussels is assured.

In the so-called Council of Ministers the governments of the 27 member states of the European Union negotiate proposals from the European Commission for European legislation. These negotiations take place in Brussels. The government of the Netherlands sends one or more ministers or state secretaries to negotiate new legislation with their colleagues from the other EU -member states during the specialist Council of Ministers. This involves agricultural policy or public health, for instance.

Assessment of the consequences for the Netherlands
Proposals from the European Commission for new legislation are discussed in the working group of the House of Representatives on the assessment of new proposals from the Commission (BNC in Dutch). The working group decides which ministry is primarily responsible. Subsequently, the officials from the ministry in question draft a position paper, the so-called BNC-file, containing a brief summary of the substantive and financial consequences of the proposal for the Netherlands. This summary is submitted to both the Senate and the House of Representatives and provides a key subject for debate.

Debate with the House of Representatives
Prior to every specialist Council of Ministers, for example in the field of agriculture or Health Care, the Dutch minister in charge notifies the House of Representatives of the position he or she intends to assume, in a letter called the "annotated agenda". On the basis of this letter the House of Representatives discusses the position of the Netherlands with the minister in question, prior to the meeting of the Council of Ministers. As a rule, the debate is held with the members of the standing committee that deals with the issue at stake. This is how the democratic control by the Dutch parliament of the decision-making process in Brussels is assured.