The Council of Ministers (Council) exercises legislative functions jointly with the European Parliament. As before, it consists of one minister from each Member State. The Constitutional Treaty substantially extends the number of areas in which the Council takes decisions by a qualified majority vote.
From 1 November 2009, the qualified majority is defined as a dual majority of at least 55 % of the Member States (at least fifteen Member States) and at least 65 % of the Union's population. The blocking minority must include at least 35% of the population of the Union in at least four Member States.
The only Council configuration mentioned in the Constitutional Treaty is the Foreign Affairs Council, which is chaired by the Union Minister for Foreign Affairs.
The Union Minister for Foreign Affairs will unite in one person the current functions of the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy and of the Commissioner for External Relations ("two hats"). He or she is a member of the Commission and one of its Vice-Presidents, presides over the Foreign Affairs Council and has to ensure the consistency of the Union's external action.
The Union Minister for Foreign Affairs is appointed by the European Council, acting by a qualified majority, with the agreement of the President of the European Commission. Together with the President and the other members of the Commission, the Minister is subject to a vote of approval by the European Parliament.
A European External Action Service will be set up to assist the Union Minister for Foreign Affairs. This service will comprise officials from relevant departments of the General Secretariat of the Council and of the Commission as well as staff seconded from the Member States' national diplomatic services.
The Presidency of Council configurations, with the exception of the Foreign Affairs Council, is held on the basis of equal rotation. In a team presidency of three Member States, one Member State will chair all the Council meetings for six months, but may delegate tasks to the other two team members in the framework of a joint programme.
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