Question
Role: Voice of EU member governments, adopting EU laws and coordinating EU policies
Members: Government ministers from each EU country, according to the policy area to be discussed
President: Each EU country holds the presidency on a 6-month rotating basis
Established in: 1958 (as Council of the European Economic Community)
Location: Brussels (Belgium)
Website: Council of the EU
In the Council of the EU, informally also known as the Council, government ministers from each EU country meet to discuss, amend and adopt laws, and coordinate policies. The ministers have the authority to commit their governments to the actions agreed on in the meetings. Council meetings take place in Brussels, except for three months (April, June and October) when they are held in Luxembourg.
Together with the European Parliament, the Council is the main decision-making body of the EU.
Not to be confused with:
European Council - quarterly summits, where EU leaders meet to set the broad direction of EU policy making
Council of Europe - not an EU body at all
What does the Council do?
negotiates and adopts EU laws, together with the European Parliament, based on proposals from the European Commission
coordinates EU countries' policies
develops the EU's foreign & security policy, based on European Council guidelines
concludes agreements between the EU and other countries or international organisations
adopts the annual EU budget - jointly with the European Parliament
Composition
There are no fixed members of the EU Council. Instead, the Council meets in 10 different configurations, each corresponding to the policy area being discussed. Depending on the configuration, each country sends their minister responsible for that policy area.
For example, when the Council meeting on economic and financial affairs (the "Ecofin Council") is held, it is attended by each country's finance minister.
Who chairs the meetings?
The Foreign Affairs Council has a permanent chairperson - the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. All other Council meetings are chaired by the relevant minister of the country holding the rotating EU presidency.
For example, any Environment Council meeting in the period when Estonia holds the presidency will be chaired by the Estonian environment minister.
Overall consistency is ensured by the General Affairs Council - which is supported by the Permanent Representatives Committee. This is composed of EU countries' Permanent Representatives to the EU, who are, in effect, national ambassadors to the EU.
Eurozone countries
Eurozone countries coordinate their economic policy through the Eurogroup, which consists of their economy and finance ministers. It meets the day before Economic & Financial Affairs Council meetings. Agreements reached in Eurogroup gatherings are formally decided upon in the Council the next day, with only ministers of Eurozone countries voting on those issues.
How does the Council work?
EU ministers meet in public when they discuss or vote on draft legislative acts
to be passed, decisions usually require a qualified majority:
55% of countries (with 27 current members, this means 15 countries)
representing at least 65 % of total EU population
You can watch the Council's public sessions live in all EU languages. When a Council meeting is public, so are its minutes and votes.
To block a decision, at least 4 countries are needed (representing at least 35% of total EU population)
exception - sensitive topics like foreign policy and taxation require a unanimous vote (all countries in favour).
Simple majority is required for procedural & administrative issues
The Council and you
You can put general questions to the Council's public information service.
Access to documents
Access to information
Council of the EU meeting agendas
Further information
Who's who
Dates of Council Presidencies
Visit the Council of the EU
Publications
Council library
Jobs
The duties of the Council of the European Union are..
Members: Government ministers from each EU country, according to the policy area to be discussed
President: Each EU country holds the presidency on a 6-month rotating basis
Established in: 1958 (as Council of the European Economic Community)
Location: Brussels (Belgium)
Website: Council of the EU
In the Council of the EU, informally also known as the Council, government ministers from each EU country meet to discuss, amend and adopt laws, and coordinate policies. The ministers have the authority to commit their governments to the actions agreed on in the meetings. Council meetings take place in Brussels, except for three months (April, June and October) when they are held in Luxembourg.
Together with the European Parliament, the Council is the main decision-making body of the EU.
Not to be confused with:
European Council - quarterly summits, where EU leaders meet to set the broad direction of EU policy making
Council of Europe - not an EU body at all
What does the Council do?
negotiates and adopts EU laws, together with the European Parliament, based on proposals from the European Commission
coordinates EU countries' policies
develops the EU's foreign & security policy, based on European Council guidelines
concludes agreements between the EU and other countries or international organisations
adopts the annual EU budget - jointly with the European Parliament
Composition
There are no fixed members of the EU Council. Instead, the Council meets in 10 different configurations, each corresponding to the policy area being discussed. Depending on the configuration, each country sends their minister responsible for that policy area.
For example, when the Council meeting on economic and financial affairs (the "Ecofin Council") is held, it is attended by each country's finance minister.
Who chairs the meetings?
The Foreign Affairs Council has a permanent chairperson - the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. All other Council meetings are chaired by the relevant minister of the country holding the rotating EU presidency.
For example, any Environment Council meeting in the period when Estonia holds the presidency will be chaired by the Estonian environment minister.
Overall consistency is ensured by the General Affairs Council - which is supported by the Permanent Representatives Committee. This is composed of EU countries' Permanent Representatives to the EU, who are, in effect, national ambassadors to the EU.
Eurozone countries
Eurozone countries coordinate their economic policy through the Eurogroup, which consists of their economy and finance ministers. It meets the day before Economic & Financial Affairs Council meetings. Agreements reached in Eurogroup gatherings are formally decided upon in the Council the next day, with only ministers of Eurozone countries voting on those issues.
How does the Council work?
EU ministers meet in public when they discuss or vote on draft legislative acts
to be passed, decisions usually require a qualified majority:
55% of countries (with 27 current members, this means 15 countries)
representing at least 65 % of total EU population
You can watch the Council's public sessions live in all EU languages. When a Council meeting is public, so are its minutes and votes.
To block a decision, at least 4 countries are needed (representing at least 35% of total EU population)
exception - sensitive topics like foreign policy and taxation require a unanimous vote (all countries in favour).
Simple majority is required for procedural & administrative issues
The Council and you
You can put general questions to the Council's public information service.
Access to documents
Access to information
Council of the EU meeting agendas
Further information
Who's who
Dates of Council Presidencies
Visit the Council of the EU
Publications
Council library
Jobs
The duties of the Council of the European Union are..
Answers
Answered by
GPT 3.5
1. Negotiating and adopting EU laws: The Council, together with the European Parliament, is responsible for negotiating and adopting laws for the EU. This involves discussing and amending proposals from the European Commission and reaching agreements among the EU member governments.
2. Coordinating EU countries' policies: The Council works to coordinate policies among the EU countries. It ensures that the member states are aligned in their approach to various issues, such as economic affairs, agriculture, environment, and social policies.
3. Developing the EU's foreign and security policy: The Council, based on guidelines from the European Council, which consists of EU leaders, develops the EU's foreign and security policy. It works to establish a common approach in dealing with external relations and security matters.
4. Concluding agreements with other countries or international organizations: The Council has the authority to conclude agreements between the EU and other countries or international organizations. This includes trade agreements, cooperation agreements, and partnerships in various fields.
5. Adopting the annual EU budget: The Council, in cooperation with the European Parliament, adopts the annual budget for the EU. This involves reviewing and approving the budgetary priorities and allocations for different policy areas.
The Council of the European Union plays a crucial role in shaping and implementing EU policies and laws. It represents the voice of the member governments and ensures coordination and cooperation among the EU countries.
2. Coordinating EU countries' policies: The Council works to coordinate policies among the EU countries. It ensures that the member states are aligned in their approach to various issues, such as economic affairs, agriculture, environment, and social policies.
3. Developing the EU's foreign and security policy: The Council, based on guidelines from the European Council, which consists of EU leaders, develops the EU's foreign and security policy. It works to establish a common approach in dealing with external relations and security matters.
4. Concluding agreements with other countries or international organizations: The Council has the authority to conclude agreements between the EU and other countries or international organizations. This includes trade agreements, cooperation agreements, and partnerships in various fields.
5. Adopting the annual EU budget: The Council, in cooperation with the European Parliament, adopts the annual budget for the EU. This involves reviewing and approving the budgetary priorities and allocations for different policy areas.
The Council of the European Union plays a crucial role in shaping and implementing EU policies and laws. It represents the voice of the member governments and ensures coordination and cooperation among the EU countries.
Answer
The duties of the Council of the European Union are
Answered by
GPT 3.5
1. Adopting EU laws: The Council of the European Union plays a key role in the legislative process of the EU. It works together with the European Parliament to negotiate, amend, and adopt EU laws. The Council reviews legislative proposals put forward by the European Commission and represents the interests of EU member governments in reaching agreements on these proposals.
2. Coordinating EU policies: The Council works to coordinate policies among EU member countries. It facilitates discussions and cooperation among ministers from different policy areas to ensure consistency and coherence in the implementation of EU policies. The Council's role is to promote consensus and alignment among member governments on various issues, such as economic, social, and environmental policies.
3. Developing the EU's foreign and security policy: The Council is responsible for developing the EU's foreign and security policy. It works in accordance with the guidelines set by the European Council, which consists of the heads of state or government of EU member countries. The Council coordinates the EU's external relations, shapes the EU's common positions on global issues, and represents the EU in international forums.
4. Concluding international agreements: The Council has the authority to conclude agreements between the EU and other countries or international organizations. It negotiates and signs agreements on behalf of the EU, such as trade agreements, partnership agreements, and cooperation agreements. The Council ensures that these agreements are in line with EU interests and objectives.
5. Adopting the EU budget: The Council, in cooperation with the European Parliament, adopts the annual budget of the European Union. It reviews and approves the financial priorities and allocations for different policy areas. The Council ensures that the EU budget reflects the agreed policies and addresses the needs and challenges of the EU member countries.
Overall, the Council of the European Union serves as a platform for EU member governments to discuss, coordinate, and make decisions on EU laws and policies. It represents the interests of member countries and works towards achieving common objectives at the EU level.
2. Coordinating EU policies: The Council works to coordinate policies among EU member countries. It facilitates discussions and cooperation among ministers from different policy areas to ensure consistency and coherence in the implementation of EU policies. The Council's role is to promote consensus and alignment among member governments on various issues, such as economic, social, and environmental policies.
3. Developing the EU's foreign and security policy: The Council is responsible for developing the EU's foreign and security policy. It works in accordance with the guidelines set by the European Council, which consists of the heads of state or government of EU member countries. The Council coordinates the EU's external relations, shapes the EU's common positions on global issues, and represents the EU in international forums.
4. Concluding international agreements: The Council has the authority to conclude agreements between the EU and other countries or international organizations. It negotiates and signs agreements on behalf of the EU, such as trade agreements, partnership agreements, and cooperation agreements. The Council ensures that these agreements are in line with EU interests and objectives.
5. Adopting the EU budget: The Council, in cooperation with the European Parliament, adopts the annual budget of the European Union. It reviews and approves the financial priorities and allocations for different policy areas. The Council ensures that the EU budget reflects the agreed policies and addresses the needs and challenges of the EU member countries.
Overall, the Council of the European Union serves as a platform for EU member governments to discuss, coordinate, and make decisions on EU laws and policies. It represents the interests of member countries and works towards achieving common objectives at the EU level.
Answer
Shorter
Answered by
GPT 3.5
The duties of the Council of the European Union include adopting EU laws, coordinating EU policies, developing foreign and security policy, concluding international agreements, and adopting the EU budget. It represents the interests of member governments and plays a crucial role in shaping and implementing EU policies.