Inter-parliamentary relations in the European Union
The French Senate's Committee for the European Union is represented by three of its members at each session of the Conférence des Organes Spécialisés dans les Affaires Communautaires ( COSAC or `Inter-parliamentary Conference of bodies specialised in European Affairs' in English ) , created in 1989. Formally recognised by the protocol concerning the role of the European Union Member States' national parliaments appended to the Treaty of Amsterdam, the COSAC is made up of six representatives per country from the specialist bodies of the Member States' parliaments and three observers per candidate country. Six members of the European Parliament also take part in these proceedings. They meet twice yearly at the initiative of the parliament of the Member State presiding the European Union. The COSAC can submit any contribution it deems suitable for the attention of the European Union's institutions.
The Conference of the Presidents of the European Parliaments
The President of the French Senate participates in the Conferences of the Presidents of the European Parliaments (fr), which was set up in 1975. It has two formats. The full conference brings together the Presidents of the Council of Europe Member States' parliaments and the Presidents of the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly, the European Parliament and the Western European Union. The restricted conference only brings together the Presidents of the Europe Union Member States' parliaments, who are joined by the President of the European Parliament. Designed to be a forum for exchanging opinions, information and experience, the aim of the Conferences of the Presidents of the European Union Member States' Parliaments is to promote the role of the national parliaments within the European Union, through joint studies or initiatives relating to inter-parliamentary cooperation or the organisation of parliamentary duties.
The Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly (EMPA)
The French Senate is also represented by one of its members at each meeting of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly . Created in 2003, this body represents the parliamentary part of the Barcelona Process launched in 1995 to reinitiate cooperation between the European Union and the Mediterranean Rim countries ( Algeria , Morocco , Tunisia , Egypt , Israel , Palestine , Jordan , Syria , Turkey ); Libya and Mauritania were also associated at a later date. The Assembly has an advisory role on all matters covered by the Euro-Mediterranean partnership and monitors enforcement of the partnership agreements. It is made up of 240 members, half of which represent the European Union partners. The other half is divided between members of the national parliaments (75 members) and members of the European Parliament (45 members).