It is the duty of the Presidency to formally assure the representation of the Council before the European Parliament and encourage a good relationship between the two Institutions, in order to guarantee the efficient running of the legislative and budgetary processes and find positive and balanced solutions for the interinstitutional disagreements that may arise.

The relationship between the Council and the European Parliament presents some aspects that, at times, may be sensitive. They require, from the Presidency, ongoing action of sensitization of the different parliamentary sections, through several contacts, seeking to improve interinstitutional dialogue. However, the solutions that may be found must not alter the existing balances or cause difficulties in the relationship between the Presidency and the Commission and other Member-States. The established practice requires the presence of the Prime Minister, as President of the European Council, before the plenary of the European Parliament. It also requires the presence of the President in office of the Council –from the GAERC and the partial Councils as well – before the Plenary and the specific Parliamentary Commissions for the different areas, as well as the establishment of informal dialogue and political contacts.

In the sphere of the CFSP, the Presidency has the responsibility of consulting the European Parliament on the most important matters and fundamental options of this policy and keeping it informed regularly on its development (Article 21 of the TEU).

The Presidency also has the responsibility of informing regularly the European Parliament on the works that have been done in the area of police cooperation and judiciary cooperation on penal matters (Article 39 of the TEU).