European Council

European Council

The European Council is a crucial institution within the European Union (EU), responsible for defining the general political direction and priorities of the Union. It is composed of the heads of state or government of the EU member states, along with its President and the President of the European Commission.

History

The European Council was established as an informal summit in 1974, and it became an official EU institution with the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon on December 1, 2009. The creation of the European Council was a response to the need for a forum where leaders could discuss and coordinate policies at the highest level.

Composition

The European Council consists of:

• The heads of state or government of the 27 EU member states.
• The President of the European Council, who is elected by the European Council itself for a term of two and a half years, renewable once.
• The President of the European Commission.

The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy also takes part in its meetings when foreign affairs issues are discussed.

Functions

The European Council does not have legislative power. Instead, it:

• Provides the EU with general political directions and priorities.
• Resolves issues that cannot be settled at lower levels of intergovernmental cooperation.
• Defines the EU's common foreign and security policy.
• Appoints and nominates candidates to certain high-profile EU positions, such as the President of the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

Meetings

The European Council meets at least four times a year, but more often if necessary. These meetings are commonly referred to as "EU summits." The meetings are chaired by the President of the European Council, who is responsible for driving forward its work and ensuring its continuity.

Decision-Making

Decisions within the European Council are usually made by consensus, but in some cases, qualified majority voting is used. The European Council's conclusions are adopted at the end of each meeting, outlining the decisions made and the future actions to be taken.

President of the European Council

The President of the European Council is a key figure in the EU's political landscape. The President:

• Chairs the meetings of the European Council.
• Ensures the preparation and continuity of the work of the European Council.
• Facilitates cohesion and consensus within the European Council.
• Represents the EU externally on issues concerning its common foreign and security policy.

Significance

The European Council plays a pivotal role in the EU's institutional framework. It sets the strategic agenda and provides the necessary impetus for the development of the Union. Its decisions often have a profound impact on the direction of EU policies and initiatives.

See Also

• European Union
• European Commission
• European Parliament
• Council of the European Union

References

• European Council - Official Website
• Treaty of Lisbon

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  Logo of the Council of the European Union

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  Meeting of the European Council in Brussels

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  Press conference at the 1991 European Summit in Maastricht

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  Current membership of the European Council