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Church organizations are engaged in a constant dialogue with the European Commission. The Commission saw this interaction as part of its wider framework of consultations with third parties, based on an open and all-inclusive understanding of participation. On the other hand, Church groups pressed for a more systematic and institutionalized dialogue, based on the special characteristics of Church associations. This article looks at how the dialogue between the European Commission and Church organizations has evolved throughout the years and assesses to what extent it is emblematic of the overall evolution of the framework of interactions between the Commission and interest groups. It concludes that the recent emphasis on the dialogue with Church groups in the Constitution and the Lisbon Treaty can be seen as a sign of changing patterns of interaction. The open, horizontal, soft-instrument based dialogue seems to be evolving towards a more institutionalized, partner-specific and instrument-based interaction.
