The Structure, Decision-Making Process and Actors in the EU Inter-Governmental Conference

The subject of the analysis is the structure, decision-making process and actors of the intergovernmental conference as an instrument for the revision of the European Union’s political system. The author divides intergovernmental conferences into constitutional conferences and conferences ad hoc. The analysis leads the author to two main conclusions. Firstly, an intergovernmental conference is a diplomatic conference where representatives of the governments of the European Union member states negotiate to prepare a founding or revision treaty of the EU. However, an intergovernmental conference differs from a classical international conference within the meaning of the Convention on the Law of Treaties of 23 May 1969. Secondly, the greatest influence on the course and outcome of an intergovernmental conference is exerted by the governments of the Member States and the intergovernmental institutions of the EU, while the role of the supranational institutions of the EU is limited.