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  • The European Council
    • The European Council

      The European Council is the EU institution that defines the general political direction and priorities of the European Union. It consists of the heads of state or government of the member states, together with its President and the President of the Commission. 

      • Read more about the role of the European Council
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  • The Council of the EU
    • The Council of the European Union

      The Council of the EU is the institution representing the member states' governments. Also known informally as the EU Council, it is where national ministers from each EU country meet to adopt laws and coordinate policies.

      Read more about the work of the Council 

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      • See all policies
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      The European Council brings together EU leaders at least four times a year.

      The Council of the EU meets in different configurations depending on the topic discussed.

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In the news

  • 9 May 2020
  • News

"Europe, it's you, it's us, it's all of us together," says President Michel

Europe means freedom, tolerance, openness, diversity, respect, innovation, creativity, dynamism. On Europe Day, EU leaders share their reflections on Europe in video messages to people all over Europe.

 

  • 9 May 2020
  • Event

Europe Day 2020: a tribute to solidarity in times of crisis

  • 8 May 2020
  • Meeting

Eurogroup agrees deal on emergency financial support

Press releases

  • 11 May 2020

    Weekly schedule of President Charles Michel

  • 8 May 2020

    Forward look: 11 - 24 May 2020

  • 8 May 2020

    Remarks by Mário Centeno following the Eurogroup videoconference of 8 May 2020

  • 8 May 2020

    Eurogroup Statement on the Pandemic Crisis Support

  • 8 May 2020

    Media advisory - Press briefing ahead of the video conference of defence ministers of 12 May 2020

See all press releases

Ongoing and past meetings

  • 8 May 2020

    Video conference of the Eurogroup

  • 6 May 2020

    EU-Western Balkans Zagreb summit

  • 5 May 2020

    Video conference of employment and social affairs ministers

  • 5 May 2020

    Video conference of telecommunications ministers

  • 29 April 2020

    Videoconference of transport ministers

  • 28 April 2020

    EU-G5 Sahel video conference

See all past meetings

Future meetings

  • 12 May 2020

    Video conference of ministers of health

  • 12 May 2020

    Video conference of defence ministers

  • 13 May 2020

    Video conference of agriculture and fisheries ministers

  • 13 May 2020

    Video conference of the European Union Military Committee, EU Chiefs of Defence

  • 15 May 2020

    Video conference of ministers responsible for industry and the internal market

  • 15 May 2020

    Video conference of the Eurogroup

See all future meetings

In focus

The Schuman Declaration - Where the EU was born
COVID-19 pandemic and the EU's response
European solidarity in action
Topics
COVID-19
Foreign affairs & international relations
Home Affairs
Economy & finance
Euro area

What is the Council?

The role of the European Council and the Council of the EU explained

The European Council

The European Council consists of the heads of state or government of the EU's member states, together with its President and the European Commission President. It defines the EU's general political direction and priorities.

  • The European Council
  • Setting the EU's political agenda
  • The President of the European Council

The Council of the EU

The Council of the EU represents the member states' governments. Informally also known as the EU Council, it is where national ministers from each EU country meet to adopt laws and coordinate policies.

  • The Council of the European Union
  • Council configurations
  • The presidency of the Council of the EU
  • Eurogroup
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