Opinion
- EU Parliament in Brussels (Photo: EP)
Opinion
An ‘avis’ in French, is not a legally binding act. It can, for example, be a statement from the European Parliament in the consultation procedure, an internal working document in a committee, a statement from the Committee of the Regions or the Economic and Social Committee.
It can also be, for example, an EU Commission statement on the conditions for EU enlargement necessary to start formal negotiations or a statement of the Court of Justice or Court of Auditors or the European Central Bank.
The European Commission also establish reasoned opinions to member states about possible breach of EU law.
The Lisbon Treaty has 'avis' or opinion as one of the EU’s decision-making instruments, see Legal acts.
In contrast to recommendations, the 'avis' or opinion usually refers to an actual EU initiative being considered or planned.
