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European Council

The European Council in Luxembourg (Photo: European Commission)

The regular meeting of the heads of state and government of the EU Member States. These Presidents and Prime Ministers, together with the President of the EU Commission, meet at least twice, on average four times, a year to fix the general political guidelines for the EU (Art. 4 TEU). Foreign Affairs and other ministers may attend by invitation.

The Lisbon Treaty will establish the European Council as an official EU institution (new Article 9 TEU). The summit meetings have already been called the European Council since 1974. It was first mentioned in primary law in the TEU (Maastricht). From now on, it will be an official EU institution. Its acts or its “failing to act” will therefore be subject to review by the Court of Justice (Articles 230 ff. TFU)

Notes

• The European Council was first recognised in a treaty by the Single European Act (1986).
• The Nice summit of December 2000 determined that all EU summits will take place in Brussels.
• European Council meetings are hosted by the country currently holding the Presidency (this rotates every six months).

Links

Council of the European Union http://ue.eu.int/