Article 151 ( * )

( * ) As amended by Article G( 46 ) TEU.

1. A committee consisting of the Permanent Representatives of the Member States shall be responsible for preparing the work of the Council and for carrying out the tasks assigned to it by the Council.

2. The Council shall be assisted by a General Secretariat, under the direction of a Secretary General. The Secretary General shall be appointed by the Council acting unanimously.

The Council shall decide on the organization of the General Secretariat.

3. The Council shall adopt its Rules of Procedure.

Article 152

The Council may request the Commission to undertake any studies the Council considers desirable for the attainment of the common objectives, and to submit to it any appropriate proposals.

Article 153

The Council shall, after receiving an opinion from the Commission, determine the rules governing the committees provided for in this Treaty.

Article 154

The Council shall, acting by a qualified majority, determine the salaries, allowances and pensions of the President and Members of the Commission, and of the President, Judges, Advocates General and Registrar of the Court of Justice.  It shall also, again by a qualified majority, determine any payment to be made instead of remuneration.

Section 3

The Commission

Article 155

In order to ensure the proper functioning and development of the common market, the Commission shall:

• ensure that the provisions of this Treaty and the measures taken by the institutions pursuant thereto are applied;
• formulate recommendations or deliver opinions on matters dealt with in this Treaty, if it expressly so provides or if the Commission considers it necessary;
• have its own power of decision and participate in the shaping of measures taken by the Council and by the European Parliament in the manner provided for in this Treaty;

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