History

At the invitation of the President of the french Senate, M. Christian Poncelet, the Presidents of fourteen upper parliamentary chambers in Europe decided, during a meeting held in Paris on 8 November 2000, to create an Association of European Senates.

As of today, this Association brings together the Federal Councils (Bundesrats) of Germany and Austria; the Senates of Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania and Spain; the National Council of Slovenia; and the Swiss Council of States, as well as the Council of State of Luxembourg in the capacity of observer.

The Association's objectives are to develop relationships between members, promote bicameralism within the framework of parliamentary democracy and strengthen European identity and awareness. Each year the Association organizes at least one meeting of Senate Presidents on specific topics to be determined in advance by joint agreement.