Go to content

We use cookies in order to ensure that you can get the best browsing experience possible on the Council website. Certain cookies are used to obtain aggregated statistics about website visits to help us constantly improve the site and better serve your needs. Other cookies are used to boost performance and guarantee security of the website.

With your permission, we will use AT internet cookies to produce aggregated, anonymous data about our visitors' browsing and behaviour on our website. We will use this data to improve your experience on our website.

To get more information about these cookies, how and why we use them and how you can change your settings, check our cookies policy page.

European Council - Council of the European Union

European Council

Council of the European Union
  • Search
< Menu Back
  • About the institutions

    • The European Council

      • Charles Michel, President of the European Council
      • Members of the European Council
      • Setting the EU's political agenda
      • European Council conclusions
      More

    • The Council of the EU

      • Rotating presidency
      • Council configurations
      • Voting system
      More

    • Eurogroup

      • Paschal Donohoe, President of the Eurogroup
      • How the Eurogroup works
      More
  • Topics

    • Topics

      • COVID-19
      • Foreign affairs
      • Digital Europe
      More

    • EU Policies

      • EU response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine
      • Conference on the Future of Europe
      • Climate change: what the EU is doing
      More

    • Feature stories

      • The incredible journey of COVID-19 vaccines
      • Feeding Europe: 60 years of common agriculture policy
      • The euro at 20
  • Meetings

    • Meeting calendar

      • Future meetings
      • Past meetings

    • EU leaders' meetings

      • Summits
      • European Council President's schedule

    • Ministerial and other meetings

      • Ministerial meetings
      • International ministerial meetings
      • Preparatory meetings
      • Voting results
      • Meeting agendas
  • News and media

    • Latest news

      • Press releases
      • European Council President's speeches and statements
      • Email and SMS subscription

    • Audiovisual resources

      • Videos and photos
      • Council live

    • Press service

      • Press calendar
      • Media accreditation
      • Press contacts
      More
  • Research and publications

    • Research

      • Search for documents
      • Archives
      • Open data
      • PRADO
      More

    • Resources

      • Reports and publications
      • Infographics
      • Research papers
      • Educational resources

    • Council Library services

      • Research in the Council library
      • Think Tank Review
      • Online information resources
  • BG български
  • ES español
  • CS čeština
  • DA dansk
  • DE Deutsch
  • ET eesti
  • EL Ελληνικά
  • EN English
  • FR français
  • GA Gaeilge
  • HR hrvatski
  • IT italiano
  • LV latviešu
  • LT lietuvių
  • HU magyar
  • MT Malti
  • NL Nederlands
  • PL polski
  • PT português
  • RO română
  • SK slovenčina
  • SL slovenščina
  • FI suomi
  • SV svenska

In the news

  • 16 March 2022
  • Press release

Ukraine: EU funds soon available to help refugees

The Council has endorsed a legislative proposal on Cohesion's Action for Refugees in Europe (CARE). The proposal will allow EU countries and regions to provide emergency support to people fleeing the war in Ukraine. Additional support will be given through the Recovery Assistance for Cohesion and the Territories of Europe (REACT-EU).

  • 21 March 2022
  • Meeting

Council discusses food situation with Ukrainian agriculture minister

  • 21 March 2022
  • Press release

Council approves Strategic Compass

  • Council agrees on Frontex operational support for Moldova
    • 17 March 2022
    • Press release
  • Sustainable batteries: member states ready to start negotiations with Parliament
    • 17 March 2022
    • Meeting
  • EU adopts fourth package of sanctions against Russia
    • 15 March 2022
    • Press release
  • Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism: Council agrees its position
    • 15 March 2022
    • Press release

Press releases

  • 21 March 2022

    International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, 21 March 2022: Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU

  • 21 March 2022

    A Strategic Compass for a stronger EU security and defence in the next decade

  • 21 March 2022

    Media advisory - General Affairs Council of 22 March 2022

  • 21 March 2022

    Press briefing ahead the European Council of 24 and 25 March 2022

  • 21 March 2022

    President Donohoe's report to the President of the Euro Summit

See all press releases

Ongoing and past meetings

  • 21 March 2022

    Agriculture and Fisheries Council

  • 21 March 2022

    Foreign Affairs Council and Foreign Affairs Council (Defence)

  • 17 March 2022

    Environment Council

  • 16 March 2022

    Informal video conference of education ministers

  • 15 March 2022

    Economic and Financial Affairs Council

  • 15 March 2022

    Informal video conference of health ministers

See all past meetings

Future meetings

  • 22 March 2022

    General Affairs Council

  • 23 March 2022

    Tripartite Social Summit video conference

  • 24-25 March 2022

    European Council

  • 25 March 2022

    Euro Summit

  • 28 March 2022

    Extraordinary Justice and Home Affairs Council

  • 29 March 2022

    Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (Health)

See all future meetings

In focus

EU response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine
Towards a sustainable, circular, European battery value chain
French presidency of the Council
Topics
COVID-19
Foreign affairs & international relations
Home Affairs
Economy & finance
EU recovery plan
Climate neutrality

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
Quick links
Calendar of meetings
Document register
PRADO
Council live
Library blog
Is there something wrong with this page?

Is there something wrong with this page?

European Council
Council of the European Union
Close

Tell us how we are doing!

We want to hear your feedback about our website.

This will help us improve your experience.

Please take a few minutes to complete a survey at the end of your visit.

No thanks Take survey (opens in a new window)

About the secretariat

  • Public procurement
  • Careers
  • Traineeships
  • More

Corporate policies

  • Data protection
  • Transparency
  • More

Contact

  • How to get to the Council
  • Ask a question
  • Visit the Council
  • More

Email subscription

Sign up to receive our email and SMS alerts

Sign up

About this site

This website is the official website of the Council of the EU and the European Council. It is managed by the General Secretariat of the Council, the body of staff responsible for assisting the Council of the EU and the European Council.

Follow us

  • Sitemap
  • About this site
  • Privacy and legal notice
  • Language policy
  • Accessibility policy
  • Copyright
  • Cookies