Open co-ordination method

Instead of binding legislation the EU uses soft law and voluntary co-ordination in some areas, for example, the social and employment field.

The aim of the open co-ordination method is to establish common aims and guidelines, to establish indicators and to identify best practice in those areas where the EU has no, or only shared competence or the competence to take supporting measures.

Notes

Introduced under the Lisbon process.

The future

The Convention on the Future of Europe included it in the EU Constitution, without explicitly mentioning it by name. The constitution states that the Commission will work "in close contact with Member States" in certain areas.

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