4. El Consejo Europeo

Understanding the European Council

Introduction to the European Council

• The video discusses the crucial role of the European Council as a key executive body, alongside the Commission.

• It is important to distinguish between the European Council and the Council of the European Union, which have different responsibilities.

Distinction Between Councils

• The European Council represents executive power, while the Council of the EU focuses on legislative functions.

• This distinction is essential for understanding their respective roles within EU governance.

Historical Context and Formation

• The origins of the European Union stem from treaties signed by member states, leading to regular meetings among heads of state or government.

• A need arose in the late 1960s to institutionalize these meetings, culminating in significant events like the Copenhagen Summit in 1973.

Establishment and Official Recognition

• The first formal establishment of the European Council occurred during a Paris summit in December 1974, initially serving as an informal forum for discussion.

• Its status was officially recognized with the Maastricht Treaty, but it wasn't until 2009 that it became a fully-fledged institution under the Lisbon Treaty.

Functions and Responsibilities

• The European Council acts as a collective head of state for EU member countries, focusing on setting political agendas and providing overall political direction.

• It plays a critical role in making historic decisions regarding treaty reforms, expansions, and new policy creation (e.g., Luxembourg Summit leading to Single European Act).

Authority and Competencies

• With its institutionalization via Lisbon Treaty, it gained significant powers including appointing key figures such as its permanent president and candidates for other major positions like Commission President.

• Additionally, it influences foreign policy by defining general principles for common security policies among member states.

Composition of the European Council

• Composed of heads of state or government from all 27 EU member states along with its permanent president and representatives from other key institutions (e.g., Commission President).

Understanding the European Council

Composition and Structure of the European Council

• The European Council is composed of 30 members, which raises questions about its administrative support and foundational work.

• It is crucial not to confuse the European Council with the Council of the European Union; they have distinct roles and structures.

• The European Council is an intergovernmental institution that holds executive power, gathering heads of state or government from member countries.

• In contrast, the Council of the European Union consists of ministers from different member states, highlighting a key difference in composition.

• Both councils share some functions and operate within the same building known as "the egg," complicating their distinction.

Operational Dynamics of the European Council

• The operational activities occur through summits held in Brussels four to six times a year, where significant discussions take place.

• The President plays a vital role in organizing these meetings, setting agendas, facilitating discussions, and mediating conflicts among leaders.

• Summits typically last two days; they begin with a speech by the President followed by informal lunches for further discussion among leaders.

• Bilateral diplomacy occurs during evenings to minimize participant numbers during debates while maintaining decision-making capabilities.

• To avoid conflicts during negotiations, officials from member states are kept out of main discussions but maintain communication through designated liaisons.

Decision-Making Process

• Decisions are generally made by consensus among heads of state or government; however, unanimity or qualified majority may be required in specific cases.

• Silence can be interpreted as acceptance under negative consensus rules; this affects how decisions are perceived post-summit.

• Each summit concludes with a press conference led by both the President of the European Council and the Commission President to present collective outcomes.

• Conclusions drawn from meetings can vary significantly in detail based on whether consensus was reached or not.

The Role of the European Council in Treaty Negotiations

Overview of Treaty Process

• A project treaty is presented to the European Council for examination, amendment, and negotiation to reach an agreement or disagreement.

• If consensus is achieved, the European Council adopts the treaty as a political agreement.

• The adopted treaty becomes part of the conclusions and is formally signed by foreign ministers.

Importance of the European Council

• The European Council plays a crucial role in shaping EU policies and ensuring their effective implementation.