The proceedings of the assent were opened by the European Single act (1986). This procedure implies that the Conseil of the European Union must obtain the approval of the the European Parliament so that certain decisions of major importance are made. The Parliament is likely to accept or disallow a proposal, but cannot amend it . The defect of assent prohibited the adoption of the act.

The assent relates to mainly the adhesion of new Member States, the agreements of association and other agreements fundamental with third countries or the chairman appointment of the Commission. It is also necessary for the citizenship, the specific missions of the European Central bank (ECB), the modifications of the statutes of the European Système of central banks and of the ECB, the structural bases and of cohesion, as well as the uniform electoral procedure for the European elections.

Since the coming into effect of the Treated of Amsterdam, the assent of the European Parliament is also necessary for the applicable sanctions in the event of serious violation and persistent of the basic rights by a Member State. The Traité of Nice delivered the assent of the Parliament obligatory if a co-operation reinforced between certain Member States is considered in a field which concerns the Procédure of joint decision.

With an aim of simplification of the legislative procedures, the Traité establishing a Constitution for Europe envisaged to integrate the assent in the “special legislative procedures”. Name “assent” did not appear in it any more in oneself, but the recourse to this procedure was maintained for the European laws and outline laws under the name of “procedure of approval”.

Internal bonds

• simple Opinion
• Procedure of joint decision
• detailed Operation of the procedure of joint decision

External bond

• initial Source (Gate of the European Union)