EMCDDA Home
  • EN
Search

Council of the European Union

The Council is the EU's main decision-making body. Like the European Parliament, the Council was set up by the founding treaties in the 1950s. It represents the Member States and its meetings are attended by one minister from each of the EU’s national governments.

Council–EMCDDA cooperation

In the field of drugs, the Horizontal Working Party on Drugs (HDG) is the coordination body meeting on a monthly basis to discuss drug-related issues. This group prepares all relevant legislation and political documents adopted by the Council, such as the EU drugs strategies and action plans. In addition, the members of the group, under the leadership of the presidency, elaborate EU statements on drug-related aspects to be presented at international fora, such as the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND).

The rotating presidencies of the EU regularly organise informal dialogues in the field of drugs between the HDG members and third countries, including representatives from the Russian Federation, Ukraine, the USA, Latin American and Caribbean countries, Western Balkan countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

As a member of this working group, the EMCDDA contributes regularly to its work by providing expertise, information and drugs-related analyses. Key EMCDDA products, such as technical papers and the Annual report on the state of the drug problem in Europe are presented regularly to this group.

Internal Security Committee (COSI)

The Internal Security Committee (COSI) was set up to facilitate, promote and strengthen coordination between EU Member States in the field of internal security. Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) agencies are invited to COSI meetings to exchange information and ensure consistency with all the activities undertaken in the internal security area.

Contact information

Council of the European Union

Rue de la Loi, 175
1048 Brussels
Belgium

Phone: +32 22816111
Fax: +32 22816934
Web: www.consilium.europa.eu

About the EMCDDA

The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) is the reference point on drugs and drug addiction information in Europe. Inaugurated in Lisbon in 1995, it is one of the EU’s decentralised agencies. Read more >>

Contact us

EMCDDA
Cais do Sodré
1249-289 Lisbon
Portugal
Tel. (351) 211 21 02 00
Fax (351) 218 13 17 11

More contact options >>

Page last updated: Wednesday, 19 May 2010