European Council

European Union (EU).

Abbreviation for the Council of the European Union.

The European Council's members include the heads of state of all EU countries and the president of the European Commission.

The European Council:

• Decides on the EU's overall direction and political priorities – but does not pass laws.
• Deals with complex or sensitive issues that cannot be resolved at lower levels of intergovernmental cooperation.
• Sets the EU's common foreign & security policy, taking into account EU strategic interests and defence implications.
• Nominates and appoints candidates to certain high profile EU level roles, such as the European Central Bank and the European Commission.

See also

• Council of Europe
• European Central Bank
• European Commission
• European Parliament
• European Union
• High Council