Expert review of CoG regulations, organisational structures, monitoring reports. Interviews with staff of the EI unit and line ministries. For a functioning co-ordination mechanism to be in place, it is not sufficient to have a regular, administrative-level meeting organised according to negotiation chapters. A functional, horizontal-level meeting forum is required. Political-level meetings must take place at least once every three months. Administrative-level meetings must take place at least once per month and be chaired by the EI co-ordination body. The unit responsible for EI must lead the preparation of EI plans to ensure central co-ordination. In addition, the EI plan must be updated at least every two years. The EI monitoring report (or reports) must be prepared by the EI co-ordination body, be compiled at least once per year, and cover all EI areas. Monitoring reports must be prepared for at least two consecutive years (the assessment year and the year prior to it). The EI co-ordination body must consistently provide its formal opinion prior to submission of draft legal acts transposing the acquis to the government. At least four out of five pieces of draft legislation transposing the acquis reviewed under indicator 2.9.1, sub-indicator 2, must include the opinion of the EI co-ordination body. For each of the following four criteria, 2 points are allocated (total of 8 points).