Council Decision of 14 May 2008 establishing a European Migration Network (2008/381/EC)

Article 4 Steering Board

1. The EMN shall be guided by a Steering Board composed of one representative from each Member State and one representative of the Commission, assisted by two scientific experts.

2. The representative of the Commission shall act as Chair of the Steering Board.

3. Each member of the Steering Board shall have one vote, including the Chair. Decisions shall be taken by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast.

4. A representative of the European Parliament may participate as an observer at the meetings of the Steering Board.

5. The Steering Board shall in particular:

(a) contribute to the preparation of and approve the EMN's annual programme of activities, including an indicative amount of the minimum and maximum budget for each National Contact Point, which ensures that the basic costs arising from the proper functioning of the Network, in accordance with Article 5, are covered, on the basis of a draft from the Chair;

(b) review progress made by the EMN, making recommendations for necessary actions when required;

(c) provide a succinct status report to the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions concerning the ongoing activities of the EMN and the key findings of its studies, at least once a year;

(d) identify the most appropriate strategic cooperative relationships with other entities competent in the area of migration and asylum and approve, when necessary, the administrative arrangements for such cooperation, as referred to in Article 10;

(e) advise the National Contact Points on how to improve their operations, and help them to take the necessary actions, when identified persistent shortcomings in the work of a National Contact Point may have negative consequences on the work of the EMN.

6. The Steering Board shall adopt its own rules of procedure and it shall meet, as convened by its Chair, at least twice a year.