Small States and EU Governance Leadership through the Council Presidency [Hardcover]

Small States and EU Governance shows that the EU's rotating Council presidency and small states' capacity to make use of it have been underestimated. It examines the political objectives the presidency serves and presents a systematic and comparative assessment of its nature and influence in internal market and foreign policy issues.Introduction The Presidency within the EU's Institutional Balance and its Evolution The Presidency as a Policy Entrepreneur The Finnish 1999 Presidency The Belgian 2001 Presidency The Greek 2003 Presidency Conclusion

Listed as a CHOICE outstanding academic title.

'The Council of Ministers is the least known institution of the European Union among the public. Although it consists of the representatives of the governments of the Member States and thus by definition ought to be in close contact with the European citizens, the doings and makings of the Council fall in the shadow of the European Commission and the European Parliament. A gradual opening of the decision making process of the Council to the public has improved the situation to some extent. Dr Bunse has written an outstanding book on the proceedings of the Council. Her deep understanding of how the Presidency works, on what can be achieved in a short period of six months, on the premises of setting the agenda and translating it into concrete results, and on the interplay between the Council of Ministers, the European Commission and the European Parliament is a fascinating read and gives a rare insight for the reader. This book is recommended to scholars, practitioners and anyone who has an active interest in the European integration process.'

- Jan Store, Permanent Representative of Finland to the European Union and Deputy Permanent Representative at the time of the first Finnish Presidency in 1999

'An excellent book on an important subject. Dr Bunse provides intellectual rigour and much scope for reflection on an instl#