That said, it is wise to guard against allowing unofficial meetings of this nature attended by representatives of only a few Member States to replace unofficial meetings of the Council. The latter are intended to allow Members of Council the opportunity to exchange opinions on important issues without being constrained by the need to take a decision. It is particularly important not to allow those unofficial meetings to become the occasions on which, to all intents and purposes, Council decisions are taken.
Cela étant, il convient de veiller à ce que de telles réunions informelles, qui ne réunissent que des représentants d'un certain nombre d'États membres, ne remplacent pas des réunions informelles du Conseil, destinées à permettre aux membres du Conseil d'échanger leur opinion sur des thèmes majeurs sans lien direct avec une décision à prendre.