Under the ordinary legislative procedure, an informal agreement within the Council before the European Parliament (EP) plenary has adopted its position at first reading (or vote at first reading).

The Council uses this document to give the EP an idea of its position on the text of a European Commission legislative proposal. A general approach can speed up the legislative procedure and make it easier to reach a formal agreement on the final text of the Commission legislative proposal between the EP and the Council at first reading.

In special circumstances, notably linked to the end of a legislative term of the EP, this term may be used after the EP plenary has adopted its first reading position (or vote at first reading). This general approach will then serve as the Council's negotiating position in the informal trialogue discussions with the EP and the Commission.

For more information, see Practice note, Ordinary legislative procedure.