The European Council is a collegiate body that defines the overall political direction and priorities of the European Union. The European Council is part of the executive of the European Union (EU), beside the European Commission. It is composed of the heads of state or of government of the EU member states, 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.
A traditional group photo, here taken at the royal palace in Brussels during Belgium's 1987 presidency of the Council of the European Union
Press conference with European Commissioner Jacques Delors and Dutch ministers Wim Kok, Hans van den Broek and Ruud Lubbers, after the European Council of 9–10 December 1991 in Maastricht, which led to the Maastricht Treaty (1992)
Image: Charles Michel 2019 (cropped)
Image: Official Portrait of Ursula von der Leyen (cropped)
The European Union (EU) is a supranational political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe. The Union has a total area of 4,233,255 km2 (1,634,469 sq mi) and an estimated total population of over 448 million. The EU has often been described as a sui generis political entity combining the characteristics of both a federation and a confederation.
Treaty of Paris (1951), establishing the ECSC
Signing ceremony of the Treaty of Rome (1957), establishing the ECC
Gerald Ford and the American delegation at the CSCE (1975)
Maastricht Treaty (1992), establishing the EU
