European Council

About European Council:

• It is the European Union’s institution that defines the general political direction and priorities of the European Union.
• It was created as an informal forum in 1974 for discussion between heads of state or government of the EU member states.
• Treaty of Maastricht: Under this treaty the European Council acquired a formal status and role to provide the impetus and general political guidelines for the EU.
• Members: The members of the European Council are the heads of state or government of the 27 EU member states, the European Council President and the President of the European Commission.
• It usually meets 4 times a year– but the President can convene additional meetings to address urgent issues.
• It generally decides issues by consensus – but by unanimity or qualified majority in some cases. Only the heads of state/government can vote.
• What are the functions?
  • It decides on the EU's overall direction and political priorities – but does not pass laws.
  • It deals with complex or sensitive issues that cannot be resolved at lower levels of intergovernmental cooperation
  • It sets the EU's common foreign & security policy, taking into account EU strategic interests and defence implications
  • It nominates and appoints candidates to certain high profile EU level roles, such as the ECB and the Commission
• Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium.