Ad hoc Working Party on the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism for Bulgaria and Romania (Coveme) - Main contents

The working party was created in January 2007. Its role is to asses progress made by Bulgaria and Romania in fulfilling specific benchmarks set out in advance of the countries' accession to the EU. These include for Bulgaria - benchmarks in the areas of judicial reform and the fight against corruption and organised crime and for Romania - benchmarks in the areas of judicial reform and the fight against corruption. The benchmarks were established by two Commission Decisions adopted in December 2006.

This Council working party (nr. B.18) examines the legislative proposals by the European Commission in its field of expertise that are sent to the Council of Ministers. This body is composed of experts from each member state and is chaired by the delegate of the country holding the rotating six-month presidency of the Council. After examination the proposals will be forwarded to the General Affairs Council (GAC) i.