如果二读结束时未能达成一致，该提案将提交给由同等数量的理事会和欧洲议会代表组成的调解委员会。如果调解委员会就“联合文本”达成一致，该文本将被送交理事会和欧洲议会进行三读。在提案成为法律之前，两位立法者的最终协议至关重要。

Under this procedure, set out in Article 249 of the Lisbon Treaty, the Council and European Parliament share legislative power.  Both institutions act on a proposal by the Commission which has the sole right of initiative (unless the Lisbon Treaty provides otherwise).