European Council conclusions

What are European Council conclusions? 

European Council conclusions are adopted during each European Council meeting.

• Calendar of European Council meetings

They are used to identify specific issues of concern for the EU and outline particular actions to take or goals to reach. European Council conclusions can also set a deadline for reaching agreement on a particular item or for the presentation of a legislative proposal.

In this way, the European Council is able to influence and guide the EU's policy agenda.

Where can I find European Council conclusions?

European Council conclusions from 2004 onwards are available in the public register of official documents.

• European Council conclusions (2004-present day)

Conclusions prior to 2004 are available via the links below.

• European Council conclusions (1993-2003)
• European Council conclusions (1975-1992)

Please note that European Council conclusions are only available in the languages of the countries that were EU member states at the time.

How are European Council conclusions adopted? 

Ahead of the European Council meeting, the President of the European Council draws up a first draft and subsequent revisions.

These are then discussed by member states' permanent representatives in Brussels (Coreper 2) and by European affairs ministers meeting at the General Affairs Council and later adopted at the European Council meeting.

Conclusions are adopted by consensus between all EU member states.

This means that a good part of the conclusions will have been agreed on in the run-up to the meeting, which allows the leaders to focus on resolving any outstanding issues at the meeting.

• Coreper II
• General Affairs Council (GAC)

Informal and extraordinary meetings

The European Council also holds informal or extraordinary meetings of heads of state or government.

Following these meetings, leaders usually adopt a statement or declaration rather than official conclusions. 

These documents are not available in the public register. Those adopted since 2004 are available via the link below:

• Informal or extraordinary European Council documents

See also