The
Authority of Heads of State and Government of Member States is the supreme
institution of the Community and is composed of Heads of State and/or Government
of Member States.
The Authority is responsible
for the general direction and control of the Community and take all measures
to ensure its progressive development and the realization of its objectives.
The Authority :
-
determines the general policy
and major guidelines of the Community, gives directives,
-
harmonizes and co-ordinates
the economic, scientific, technical, cultural and social policies
of Member States;
-
oversees the functioning of
Community institutions and follow-up implementation of
Community objectives;
-
prepares and adopts its Rules
of Procedure;
-
appoints the Executive Secretary
in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty;
-
appoints on the recommendation
of Council, the External Auditors;
-
delegates to the Council, where
necessary, the authority to take such decisions as stipulated in
the Treaty;
-
refers where it deems necessary
any matter to the Community Court of Justice when it
confirms, that a Member State or institution of the Community has failed
to honour any of its obligations or an institution of
the Community has acted beyond the limits of its authority or
has abused the powers conferred on it by the provisions of the Treaty,
by a decision of the Authority or a regulation
of the Council;
-
requests the Community Court
of Justice as, and when necessary, to give advisory opinion on any
legal questions; and
-
exercises any other powers conferred
on it under the Treaty.
The Authority meets at
least once a year in ordinary session. An extraordinary session may be convened by the Chairman
of the Authority or at the request of a Member State provided that such a request is supported
by a simple majority of the Member States.
The office of the Chairman
is held every year by a Member State elected by the Authority. |
