Rule 27 : Duties of the Conference of Presidents

1.   The Conference of Presidents shall carry out the duties assigned to it under these Rules of Procedure.

2.   The Conference of Presidents shall take decisions on the organisation of Parliament's work and on matters of legislative planning.

3.   The Conference of Presidents shall be the authority responsible for matters concerning Parliament’s relations with the other institutions and bodies of the European Union and with the national parliaments of Member States. Decisions concerning the mandate and composition of the delegation from Parliament which is to participate in consultations within the Council and in other European Union Institutions on fundamental issues concerning the development of the European Union (Sherpa process) shall be taken on the basis of relevant positions adopted by Parliament and taking into account the diversity of political views represented within Parliament. The Vice- Presidents who have been entrusted with the implementation of Parliament’s relations with the national parliaments shall regularly report back to the Conference of Presidents on their activities in that regard.

4.   The Conference of Presidents shall be the authority responsible for matters concerning relations with non-member countries and with non-Union institutions and organisations.

5.   The Conference of Presidents shall be responsible for organising structured consultation with European civil society on major topics. That consultation may include holding public debates on subjects of general European interest in which interested citizens may participate. The Vice-President responsible for the implementation of such consultation shall report back regularly to the Conference of Presidents on his or her activities in this regard.

6.   The Conference of Presidents shall draw up the draft agenda of Parliament's part-sessions.

7.   The Conference of Presidents shall make proposals to Parliament concerning the composition and competence of committees, committees of inquiry, joint parliamentary committees and standing delegations. The Conference of Presidents shall be responsible for authorising ad hoc delegations.

8.   The Conference of Presidents shall decide pursuant to Rule 36 how seats in the Chamber are to be allocated.

9.   The Conference of Presidents shall be the authority responsible for authorising the drawing up of own-initiative reports.

10.   The Conference of Presidents shall submit to the Bureau proposals on administrative and budgetary matters concerning the political groups.