Accessibility tools
Service tools
Language
You are here:
The European Council brings together EU leaders to set the EU's political agenda. It represents the highest level of political cooperation between EU countries.
One of the EU's 7 official institutions, the Council takes the form of (usually quarterly) summit meetings between EU leaders, chaired by a permanent president.
On each issue, the European Council can:
Infographic: ABC of the EU institutions
The European Council is made up of the heads of state or government of all EU countries, the European Commission President and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy.
It is convened and chaired by its President, who is elected by the European Council itself for a once-renewable two-and-a-half-year term. The President represents the EU to the outside world.
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.
You can put general about the Council's work to its Public Information Service.

Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 175
B-1048 Bruxelles/Brussel
Belgique/België