When the European Union enters a crisis, the lights come on in an isolated room in a building at the European Council in Brussels. It’s a „bunker” shielded from surveillance, located underground. Here, the 27 ambassadors of the EU member states gather.
In the past year, the meetings have multiplied, and their influence has significantly increased. From the threats of American President Donald Trump regarding Greenland and new trade tariffs, to the war in Ukraine, the conflict in Gaza, the risk of strikes on Iran, and the slowdown of the European economy, the true „command center” of the EU is no longer just at the level of political leaders. It is Coreper II.
What is Coreper II and why does it matter more than ever
In Brussels jargon, Coreper II is short for Committee of Permanent Representatives. It has existed since the early days of the EU, but in recent years, it has gained unprecedented political weight.
Officially, it is not a decision-making body. In practice, however, diplomats say the line has blurred.
"Let's be honest, it really is the place where decisions are made," said a European diplomat quoted by Politico.
The pace of geopolitics is too fast to wait for months between summits. More and more issues are "too political for experts and too technical for leaders," and the intermediate negotiation space has become essential.
From pandemic to tough geopolitics
The rise of Coreper II began during the pandemic, when it was the only physical meeting still taking place in Brussels while ministers participated online.
Meanwhile, the format has evolved from a simple preparatory body into a real negotiation center. Ambassadors rise from the table to consult with experts behind them, flip their country nameplates to intervene quickly in the debate, and legal advisors are constantly present.
During breaks, diplomats joke with each other and share their fears.
"These things have to work based on consensus - and if you want to reach a consensus, you have to trust that Coreper can find it," explained a European diplomat quoted by Politico.
Swift reaction to Trump: a turning point
In January, ambassadors were summoned on a Sunday evening, a few hours after Donald Trump threatened tough trade tariffs and revisited the idea of annexing Greenland. It was the EU's first meeting on this subject. Within hours, there was already a broad agreement on possible economic retaliatory measures.
In the past, such a reaction would have required summoning national leaders, with negotiations lasting for days. Now, Coreper II has the flexibility and mandate to react almost in real time.
A counterbalance to the European Commission
The increasing influence of Coreper II has another explanation: balancing the growing power of the European Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen.
Against the backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty, the Commission has begun to get more involved in areas traditionally considered national competencies, such as defense or housing policy.
For capitals, Coreper II is the tool through which member states maintain control. "When we were negotiating the trade agreement with the US, there was always a Coreper," said a Commission official, dissatisfied with constant oversight.
For ambassadors, this is precisely the purpose: nothing important should be decided without a clear political mandate from the states.
António Costa and shorter summits
The role of Coreper II has strengthened since António Costa took office in 2024.
By setting key positions among ambassadors before meetings, summits that once lasted several days have become one-day meetings. His chief of staff, Pedro Lourtie, frequently attends meetings, as does Ursula von der Leyen's chief adviser, Bjoern Seibert.
During the Polish presidency, Ambassador Agnieszka Bartol doubled the number of weekly meetings. "Just before the start of our presidency, I told my colleagues that we would organize two Coreper meetings per week. We had more and more things to manage," she explained.
Under the Danish presidency, Coreper met daily to find a solution regarding funding for Ukraine from frozen Russian assets.
Two principles: trust and no surprises
For diplomats, Coreper II operates on a simple rule: consensus. "Coreper is based on two principles: mutual trust and no surprises," said Bartol.
In a Union affected by border wars, global trade tensions, and internal economic pressures, the "bunker" in Brussels has become the place where Europe seeks a balance between speed and political legitimacy.
It's not a flashy institution. It doesn't have dramatic press conferences. But in the silence of a room shielded from interceptions, Europe's response to present crises is negotiated.