Publications and videos
About the EU
The European Union - Facts and figures
This booklet comes in a handy, small format and provides information on the EU, its institutions, member states and candidate countries. It contains facts on official languages, government websites and other useful data about each country.
The Pillars of Europe - The legacy of the Maastricht Treaty after 25 years
The Maastricht Treaty was a turning point in the process of European integration. This historical review examines the detailed path to Maastricht and summarises its main achievements.
EU map
The 27 EU member states and their capitals on a map. The map includes non-continental and overseas territories of the member states and shows the national flags.
About the European Council and the Council of the EU
The European Council and the Council of the EU have quite similar names. Both act as the voice of EU member governments in the Union. But what is the difference between these two EU institutions?
Find out more about what they do, how they decide and meet in our explainer.
The Council of the EU
The Council is a key EU decision-maker. Our website provides more detailed information and the leaflet briefly explains how it works and sheds light on the different tasks of the rotating presidencies.
The European Council
Find out how the European Council as the EU's strategic body defines the general direction and priorities of the EU and describes the tasks of its President, explained in further detail through our website and the leaflet.
The European Council and the Council - The house of the member states
Why do we need EU summits? How are EU laws adopted? 13 factsheets provide information on the roles of the European Council and the Council in setting the EU's policies.
No factsheet takes longer than five minutes to read.
The European Council and the Council of the EU through time
How have the European Council and the Council evolved over the years? This publication gives an in-depth insight into the origins and the history of the two institutions, from the very first beginnings in Paris to the Treaty of Lisbon. It does so from both legal and political perspectives.
European Council - the making of
This video shows what is happening behind the scenes for the logistical and political preparations of a summit of EU leaders.
What is the Council presidency
What is the Council presidency and how does it work? More about the role of the Council's rotating presidency.
How does the EU adopt laws?
Guide to the ordinary legislative procedure
This handbook explains how the Council and the European Parliament as co-legislators jointly adopt EU law. It describes the various stages of the procedure: the three readings, the conciliation procedure and the trilogues. It also contains a list of relevant legal bases, tables presenting the stages in graphic form, and deadlines.
The decision-making process in the Council
This video explains how the decision-making process in the Council works and how EU legislation is adopted.
EUropeans - video portraits of European citizens
So different, so similar, so EUropean… Discover our video portraits of European citizens.
Their very personal stories offer a snapshot of what it means to live in the European Union.
Last review: 21 March 2024