The Permanent Representatives Committee, or Coreper, is responsible for preparing the work of the Council of the European Union. It consists of the Member States’ ambassadors to the European Union (Permanent Representatives) and is chaired by the Member State which holds the Council Presidency.

Coreper occupies a important position in the Community decision-making system, in which it is both a forum for dialogue (among the Permanent Representatives and between them and their respective national capitals) and a means of political control (guidance and supervision of the work of the expert groups).

It carries out preliminary scrutiny of the dossiers on the Council agenda (proposals and drafts for acts tabled by the Commission). It seeks to reach agreement at its own level on each dossier, failing which it may suggest guidelines, options or suggested solutions to the Council.