Understanding the European Council: History and Role

What is the European Council?

The European Council defines the general political direction and priorities of the European Union. It is an institution whose role is to provide political impetus. Consequently, it makes a schedule and sets specific objectives for the Council of the EU, the Commission, and the European Parliament. It represents the highest level of political cooperation between EU countries.

The European Council proposes the candidate for the post of President of the European Commission and chooses the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

Evolution of the European Council

The European Council has evolved since its creation to its recognition as an Institution within the European Union.

Creation and Early Summits

After the Copenhagen summit (December 1973), which decided to convene summit meetings whenever necessary, the Paris Summit of December 1974, organized by the French President, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, was held, in which the European Council was created. The European Council met for the first time in March 1975 in Dublin.

Treaty Progression

The European Council progressed through various Treaties. The basis of the European Council was established in 1987 by The Single European Act: “the European Council shall bring together the Heads of Government of the Member States and the President of the Commission of the European Communities”. The Maastricht Treaty began to clarify the powers of the European Council: “the European Council shall provide the Union with the necessary impetus for its development”.

Reforms and Enlargement

From 1999, the European Council began a process of reform, particularly concerning the enlargement of the Union. After debates on these subjects at the European Councils of Helsinki (December 1999), Gothenburg (June 2001), and Barcelona (March 2002), the Seville European Council of June 2002 gave “its agreement to a series of specific measures applicable, without amendment of the treaties, to the organisation and functioning of the European Council”.

The Treaty of Lisbon

The Treaty of Lisbon on 1 December 2009, incorporates the European Council among the institutions of the Union. It provided for a stable Presidency for the European Council, including a President elected by its members for two and a half years. Since the Lisbon Treaty came into force, the European Council has been the source of all the major decisions the Union has taken to address international and internal challenges in the economic, financial, and monetary fields; in development, cooperation, and international relations.