Council of the European Union
Bulgarian:
Съвет на Европейския съюз
Croatian:
Vijeće Europske unije
Czech:
Rada Evropské unie
Danish:
Rådet for Den Europæiske Union
Dutch:
Raad van de Europese Unie
Estonian:
Euroopa Liidu Nõukogu
Finnish:
Euroopan unionin neuvosto
French:
Conseil de l'Union européenne
German:
Rat der Europäischen Union
Greek:
Συμβούλιο της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης
Hungarian:
Az Európai Unió Tanácsa
Irish:
Comhairle an Aontais Eorpaigh
Italian:
Consiglio dell'Unione europea
Latvian:
Eiropas Savienības Padome
Lithuanian:
Europos Sąjungos Taryba
Maltese:
Kunsill tal-Unjoni Ewropea
Polish:
Rada Unii Europejskiej
Portuguese:
Conselho da União Europeia
Romanian:
Consiliul Uniunii Europene
Slovak:
Rada Európskej únie
Slovene:
Svet Evropske unije
Spanish:
Consejo de la Unión Europea
Swedish:
Europeiska unionens råd
| Bulgarian: | Съвет на Европейския съюз |
|---|---|
| Croatian: | Vijeće Europske unije |
| Czech: | Rada Evropské unie |
| Danish: | Rådet for Den Europæiske Union |
| Dutch: | Raad van de Europese Unie |
| Estonian: | Euroopa Liidu Nõukogu |
| Finnish: | Euroopan unionin neuvosto |
| French: | Conseil de l'Union européenne |
| German: | Rat der Europäischen Union |
| Greek: | Συμβούλιο της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης |
| Hungarian: | Az Európai Unió Tanácsa |
| Irish: | Comhairle an Aontais Eorpaigh |
| Italian: | Consiglio dell'Unione europea |
| Latvian: | Eiropas Savienības Padome |
| Lithuanian: | Europos Sąjungos Taryba |
| Maltese: | Kunsill tal-Unjoni Ewropea |
| Polish: | Rada Unii Europejskiej |
| Portuguese: | Conselho da União Europeia |
| Romanian: | Consiliul Uniunii Europene |
| Slovak: | Rada Európskej únie |
| Slovene: | Svet Evropske unije |
| Spanish: | Consejo de la Unión Europea |
| Swedish: | Europeiska unionens råd |
1 July 1967
27
- Agriculture and fisheries
- Competitiveness
- Economic and financial affairs
- Education, youth, culture and sport
- Employment, social policy, health and consumer affairs
- Environment
- Foreign affairs
- General affairs
- Justice and home affairs
- Transport, telecommunications and energy
The Council of the European Union, often referred to in the treaties and other official documents simply as the Council,[a] and informally known as the Council of Ministers, is the third of the seven Institutions of the European Union (EU) as listed in the Treaty on European Union.[3] It is one of two legislative bodies and together with the European Parliament serves to amend and approve or veto the proposals of the European Commission, which holds the right of initiative.[4][5][6]
The Council of the European Union and the European Council are the only EU institutions that are explicitly intergovernmental, that is, forums whose attendees express and represent the position of their Member State's executive, be they ambassadors, ministers or heads of state/government.
The Council meets in 10 different configurations of 27 national ministers (one per state). The precise membership of these configurations varies according to the topic under consideration; for example, when discussing agricultural policy the Council is formed by the 27 national ministers whose portfolio includes this policy area (with the related European Commissioners contributing but not voting).
Composition[edit]
The Presidency of the Council rotates every six months among the governments of EU member states, with the relevant ministers of the respective country holding the Presidency at any given time ensuring the smooth running of the meetings and setting the daily agenda.[7] The continuity between presidencies is provided by an arrangement under which three successive presidencies, known as Presidency trios, share common political programmes. The Foreign Affairs Council (national foreign ministers) is however chaired by the Union's High Representative.[8]
Its decisions are made by qualified majority voting in most areas, unanimity in others, or just simple majority for procedural issues. Usually where it operates unanimously, it only needs to consult the Parliament. However, in most areas the ordinary legislative procedure applies meaning both Council and Parliament share legislative and budgetary powers equally, meaning both have to agree for a proposal to pass. In a few limited areas the Council may initiate new EU law itself.[7]
The General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union, also known as Council Secretariat, assists the Council of the European Union, the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the European Council and the President of the European Council. The Secretariat is headed by the Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union. The Secretariat is divided into seven directorates-general, each administered by a director-general.