Gymnich meeting
A Gymnich meeting , international Gymnich style meeting or Gymnich meeting in the European Union is an informal meeting of the foreign ministers of the member states of the EU that takes place every six months. Usually the foreign ministers of certain states associated with the EU also take part. At this meeting, the foreign ministers come together for a weekend to discuss long-term strategies in a relaxed, informal setting.
In contrast to other working meetings, there is neither a precisely defined agenda, nor are the ministers accompanied by extensive staff, nor is there an official final document. In general, the results and events of the meeting are strictly confidential.
The term goes back to a meeting within the framework of European Political Cooperation in April 1974 in the guest house ( Schloss Gymnich ) of the German government in Gymnich , which was organized by Hans-Dietrich Genscher . Since that meeting, they have taken place once per Council Presidency, i.e. once every six months. The venue is a hotel or country house in the country of the Council Presidency. They allow for a more open-ended discussion in which problems can also be discussed in more depth without the pressure to make decisions. Based on the Gymnich meetings of foreign ministers, similar meetings of other members of the Council of the European Union have developed.
Remarks
- ^ William Wallace: "Regional Integration: The West European Experience Transaction Publishers 1994 ISBN 0815792247 p. 46
- ^ Clifford P. Hackett: "Cautious Revolution: The European Union Arrives" ISBN 0313295271 p. 175
- ^ Christopher Hill, Karen Elizabeth Smith: "European Foreign Policy: Key Documents" ISBN 0415158222 p. 97
- ↑ Jeremy John Richardson: "European Union: Power and Policy-making" ISBN 0415358140 p. 154