Juan Fernando López Aguilar· S&D

Nuanced

The European Parliament has the last word on international agreements according to Article 218 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union

Omissions

• The claim oversimplifies by stating Parliament has 'the last word' on all international agreements, when Article 218(6) TFEU establishes an exhaustive list of specific cases where consent is required
• For many international agreements, particularly in areas like Common Foreign and Security Policy, Parliament's role is limited to consultation rather than consent
• The Council of the EU also plays a crucial role in the procedure, including authorizing negotiations and signing agreements
• The 'consent' power is not an absolute veto over all agreements but applies to specific categories enumerated in Article 218(6)

Sources

• PrimaryEUR-Lex - Consent procedureAs a non-legislative procedure, it applies to the ratification of certain international agreements negotiated by the EU under Article 218 TFEU, particularly those covering fields to which the ordinary legislative procedure applies
• AcademicEuropean Papers - Navigating Art. 218 TFEU: Third States' Accession to International ConventionsArt. 218 TFEU allocates the powers of the Council, the Commission, the High Representative and the European Parliament; the consent of the European Parliament is required for agreements covering fields to which the ordinary legislative procedure applies
• SecondaryEuropean Parliament Research Service - The European Parliament's role in concluding international agreementsArticle 218(6) TFEU lists in an exhaustive manner those international agreements with regard to which Council must obtain the European Parliament's consent