The Permanent High Level Group (PHLG) prepares the meetings of the Ministerial Council. It meets generally four times a year.
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Tasks
Tasks
The Permanent High Level Group prepares the work of the Ministerial Council. If so empowered by the Ministerial Council, the PHLG can take decisions, including on the adoption of new legislation. The PHLG may identify items for adoption by the Ministerial Council without further discussion – the so-called “A points”.
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Composition
Composition
The Permanent High Level Group is composed of one representative of each Contracting Party and two representatives of the European Union. The European Union is represented by senior officials of the European Commission.
The members of the PHLG are senior officials in the ministry in charge of energy. He/she is mandated to express the position of the respective Party in a manner binding on that Party and has the obligation as well as all necessary powers to coordinate positions internally before expressing them.
The Presidency and the Vice-Presidency may agree to invite any other bodies, including civil society, to attend a relevant meeting on an ad hoc basis. In this case, the Parties are to be notified three weeks in advance and to decide on the invitation by simple majority.