«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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Latest European Council meeting

European Council - Presidency Conclusions 1994-2009

• 2009
  • Brussels European Council, 10-11 December 2009
  • Brussels European Council, 29-30 October 2009
  • Brussels European Council, 18-19 June 2009
  • Brussels European Council, 19-20 March 2009

• 2008
  • Brussels European Council, 11-12 December 2008
  • Brussels European Council, 15-16 October 2008
  • Brussels Extraordinary European Council, 1 September 2008
  • Brussels European Council, 19-20 June 2008
  • Brussels European Council, 13-14 March 2008

• 2007
  • Brussels European Council, 14 December 2007
  • Brussels European Council, 21-22 June 2007
  • Brussels European Council, 8-9 March 2007

• 2006
  • Brussels European Council, 14-15 December 2006
  • Brussels European Council, 15-16 June 2006
  • Brussels European Council, 23-24 March 2006

• 2005
  • Brussels European Council, 15-16 December 2005
  • Brussels European Council, 16-17 June 2005
  • Brussels European Council, 22-23 March 2005

• 2004
  • Brussels European Council, 16-17 December 2004
  • Brussels European Council, 4-5 November 2004
  • Brussels European Council, 17-18 June 2004
  • Brussels European Council, 25-26 March 2004

• 2003
  • Brussels European Council, 12-13 December 2003
  • Brussels European Council, 16-17 October 2003
  • Thessaloniki European Council, 20 June 2003
  • Brussels European Council, 20-21 March 2003
  • Brussels Extraordinary European Council, 17 February 2003

• 2002
  • Copenhagen European Council, 12-13 December 2002
  • Brussels European Council, 24-25 October 2002
  • Seville European Council, 21-22 June 2002
  • Barcelona European Council, 15-16 March 2002

• 2001
  • Laeken European Council, 14-15 December 2001
  • Brussels Extraordinary European Council, 21 September 2001
  • Gothenburg European Council, 15-16 June 2001
  • Stockholm European Council; 23-24 March 2001

• 2000
  • Nice European Council, 7-9 December 2000
  • Feira European Council, 19-20 June 2000
  • Lisbon Extraordinary European Council, 23-24 March 2000

• 1999
  • Helsinki European Council, 10-11 December 1999
  • Tampere European Council, 15-16 October 1999
  • Cologne European Council, 3-4 June 1999
  • Berlin European Council, 24-25 March 1999

• 1998
  • Vienna European Council, 11-12 December 1998
  • Cardiff European Council, 15-16 June 1998

• 1997
  • Luxembourg European Council, 12-13 December 1997
  • Luxembourg Extraordinary European Council on Employment, 20-21 November 1997
  • Amsterdam European Council, 16 June 1997

• 1996
  • Dublin European Council, 16 December 1996
  • Florence European Council, 21 June 1996
  • Turin European Council, 29 March 1996

• 1995
  • Madrid European Council, 16 December 1995
  • Cannes European Council, 26 June 1995

• 1994
  • Essen European Council, 9 December 1994
  • Corfu European Council, 24 June 1994

• 1993
  • Copenhagen European Council, 21-22 June 1993