European Council Meeting

The European Council defines the EU’s overall political direction and priorities. It is not one of the EU’s legislating institutions, so does not negotiate or adopt EU laws. Instead it sets the EU’s policy agenda, traditionally by adopting ‘conclusions’ during European Council meetings which identify issues of concern and actions to take.

More recently, the European Council adopted a ‘strategic agenda’ of priority areas for longer-term EU action and focus.

The members of the European Council are the heads of state or government of the 28 EU member states, the European Council President and the President of the European Commission.

The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy also takes part in European Council meetings when foreign affairs issues are discussed.

For more information, see the Council’s website.