The European Council defines the general political direction and priorities of the European Union. With the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon on 1 December 2009, it became an institution. Its President is Herman Van Rompuy.
Here are some questions about what the European Council is, and what it does, and some answers as provided by Article 15 of the Treaty on European Union (the first part of the Treaty of Lisbon).
What does the European Council do?
The European Council provides the Union with the necessary impetus for its development and defines the general political directions and priorities thereof. It does not exercise legislative functions.
Who are its members?
The European Council consists of the Heads of State or Government of the Member States, together with its President and the President of the Commission. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy takes part in its work.
When the agenda so requires, the members of the European Council may decide each to be assisted by a minister and, in the case of the President of the Commission, by a member of the Commission.
How often does it meet?
The European Council meets twice every six months, convened by its President.
When the situation so requires, the President will convene a special meeting of the European Council.
How does it take its decisions?
Except where the Treaties provide otherwise, decisions of the European Council are taken by consensus. In some cases, it adopts decisions by unanimity or by qualified majority, depending on what the Treaty provides for.
How does it choose its President? How long is the President's term of office?
The European Council elects its President by qualified majority. The President's term of office is two and a half years, renewable once.
The European Council usually meets in Brussels, in the Justus Lipsius building. It is assisted by the General Secretariat of the Council.
A glance at the history of the European Council
The European Council was created in 1974 with the intention of establishing an informal forum for discussion between Heads of State or Government. It rapidly developed into the body which fixed goals for the Union and set the course for achieving them, in all fields of EU activity. It acquired a formal status in the 1992 Treaty of Maastricht, which defined its function as providing the impetus and general political guidelines for the Union's development. On 1 December 2009, with the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon, it became one of the seven institutions of the Union.
Consolidated versions of the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the functioning of the European Union (Treaty of Lisbon) (pdf)
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Informal meeting of Heads of State or Government
Presidency press conference
Thursday, November 19th 2009
Watch the video
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Informal meeting of Heads of State or Government
Family photo
Thursday, November 19th 2009
Watch the video
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Factsheet on the President of the European Council
PDF, 2 pages, 240Kb
(en)
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Factsheet on the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
PDF, 2 pages, 240Kb
(en)
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Rules of procedures of the European Council (en)
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Consolidated versions of the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the functioning of the European Union (en)
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Implementation of the Treaty of Lisbon (en) (fr)
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BACKGROUND, The Lisbon Treaty's impact on the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council: more co-decision and new working structure (en) / Other linguistic versions
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BACKGROUND, the Treaty of Lisbon (en) (fr)
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