Conclusions and resolutions of the Council

What are conclusions and resolutions? 

The Council of the EU, which brings together the national ministers from EU countries, normally adopts EU law. However, at times it needs to express political commitments, priorities or positions, which is done through conclusions and resolutions.  

These political documents are not defined in the EU Treaties and are therefore not legally binding, but they can have legal effect. For instance, the Council may use them to invite the European Commission to present a legislative proposal. 

As ministers in the Council meet according to their area of responsibility, Council conclusions and resolutions focus on sector-specific topics. 

Council conclusions 

Council conclusions express the Council's political position on a specific topic.

They should not be confused with presidency conclusions, which reflect the position of the rotating Council presidency, not the Council as an institution. 

• List of Council conclusions

Council resolutions

Council resolutions usually set out future work on a specific policy area.

Resolutions can also address policies where the EU has limited powers to act. In such cases, they take the form of a 'resolution of the Council and the representatives of the governments of the member states'.

When are conclusions and resolutions used? 

Conclusions and resolutions are used for different purposes. They allow the Council to:

• request new EU laws: invite the European Commission to prepare a legislative proposal on a specific topic
• prompt action: invite an EU country or another EU institution to act, especially in areas where the EU supports or coordinates national policies, such as health or culture
• coordinate EU efforts: help align national actions, for instance by setting objectives or assessing progress
• express the EU's political position: define the EU's position on a particular issue, event or country within the common foreign and security policy
• speak with one voice internationally: agree a coordinated position of the EU and its member states in international organisations
• respond to audit findings: react to issues raised by the European Court of Auditors and suggest follow-up actions

The difference between Council conclusions and European Council conclusions

The European Council, which brings together the heads of state or government of the EU countries, also issues conclusions.  

The European Council conclusions are adopted at the end of each regular EU summit. They highlight priority issues for the EU or set out particular actions to be taken or goals to be achieved.  

Their scope is broader than that of conclusions adopted by the Council of the EU, where national ministers meet according to their area of responsibility.  

• European Council conclusions

See also