European Union lawLesson 5 of 5 in the course EU institutions

European Council: Development, Powers, Leadership, and Meetings

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

Save course
Lesson progress
0 / 5

Your progress is kept in this browser only.Sign up to save it

Summary

The European Council brings together the leaders of the European Union’s member states to set the Union’s broad political direction. This lesson introduces what the institution is and traces how leaders’ informal summits developed into a formal EU institution.

The European Council, often abbreviated EUCO, is a collegiate body that defines the EU’s overall political direction and general priorities. It consists principally of the heads of state or government of EU member states, along with the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy also takes part in its meetings.

All flashcards

What defines the European Council’s role in the EU?
It defines the Union’s overall political direction and general priorities.
What does EUCO mean?
EUCO is an abbreviation for the European Council.
How does the European Council differ from the Council of the European Union?
The European Council brings together national leaders to set broad direction; the Council of the EU brings together ministers for policy and legislative work.
Why was the 1969 Hague summit influential?
It advanced agreement on the United Kingdom’s admission to the Community and initiated foreign-policy cooperation.
What did the Treaty of Lisbon change for the European Council?
It made the European Council a formal EU institution distinct from the Council of the European Union and established a longer-term, full-time presidency.

Quiz questions

  1. Which statement best describes the European Council’s legislative role?Answer: It does not ordinarily adopt legislation, but its political guidance can shape priorities.
  2. How is the European Council President chosen, and for what term?Answer: By qualified majority for two and a half years, renewable once.
  3. Which description identifies the European Council’s core membership?Answer: Member-state heads of state or government, the European Council President, and the Commission President.
  4. How do informal European Council meetings differ from extraordinary meetings in their conclusions?Answer: Informal meetings may end with political statements; extraordinary meetings conclude with official conclusions.
  5. What is the European Council’s role in EU security and defence?Answer: It helps set missions’ general political direction, while other bodies handle planning and implementation.

Based on the Wikipedia article European Council, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

More in European Union law

All European Union law lessons
European Union lawPrimacy of EU Law: Court Duties, Constitutional Limits, and National Approaches5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →European Union lawTFEU Origins, Treaty Framework, and Seven-Part Structure5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →European Union lawEU Direct Effect: Treaty Rules, Directives, and National Procedure5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →European Union lawEuropean Parliament: Representation, Lawmaking and Accountability5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →European Union lawArticle 267 TFEU: Preliminary References, Duties, Scope, and Effects5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →European Union lawEU Competition Law: Treaty Rules, Enforcement, and Market Conduct5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →