«The European Council shall provide the Union with the necessary impetus for its development and shall define the general political guidelines thereof » (Article 4 of the Treaty on European Union)
The European Council gathers together the Heads of State or Government of the Member States of the European Union and the President of the Commission. It came into being in 1974 and was given formal status by the Single European Act. Its members are assisted by the Ministers for Foreign Affairs and by a Member of the Commission. The European Council meets at least once every six months under the chairmanship of the Head of State or Government of the Member State which holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which rotates twice a year. In practice, the European Council meets at least four times a year, and special European Councils are also organised. Since 2000, in accordance with the Lisbon strategy, the March Council addresses economic, social and environmental issues. Presidency conclusions are published after each meeting.
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Press Releases
- Media Programme 25-26/03/2010
- European Council (10 and 11 December 2009) – Annotated draft agenda
- Council prepares for upcoming EU summit
- Media Programme 10-11/12/2009
- EU leaders meet to discuss climate change and the economy
- European Council (29 and 30 October 2009) – Annotated draft agenda
- Media Programme 29-30/10/2009
- Czech Presidency rounds off European Council with success
- European Council (18 and 19 June 2009) – Annotated draft agenda
- Preparations for handing over the Presidency
- Media Programme 18-19/06/2009
- Commission proposals to the March European Council for a comprehensive reform of the financial system
European Council - Presidency Conclusions 1994-2009
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The conclusions of earlier European Councils, from 1975, are available in the European Commission's press database, RAPID To reach the appropriate documents,select "DOC – Presidency of the Council of the European Union", "Search all database" and fill in "EUROCONS" in the keywords box.
To order hard copies, please apply to: public.info@consilium.europa.eu