In the Council of the European Union, Ministers of the 27 national governments regularly meet up and discuss policies and legislative issues. Depending on the topic at hand, national ministers from specific departments meet in different formations, i.e. External Relations, Financial Affairs, Economy etc. Decisions are taken by consensus or by qualified majority voting (QMV) after negotiations among Member states, depending upon the matter at issue. In MEU, the Council discusses, amends and votes on legislative proposals introduced by the Commission with the European Parliament (EP) as a coequal legislator.
It is therefore important that the Council takes into consideration the position of the EP. Ministers should thus stay in close contact with MEPs so as to collectively reach a compromise on legislation. This is particularly important in MEU, as the simulation does not feature a Conciliation Committee.
Cooperation between the Council and the European Parliament is ensured by way of trilogue meetings. During these meetings, the representative of the Member State holding the presidency of the EU (Denmark for the 1st semester of 2012) shall meet with 2-3 MEPs and the Commissioner responsible for each proposal.
In general, the task of Ministers in the simulation is to represent their national interests. In order to achieve a qualified majority in favour of their positions, Ministers shall have to form alliances with the Ministers of other Member States. This can best be achieved by convincingly arguing in formal and private discussions with other Ministers, through clever negotiating tactics and cooperation with lobby groups.
