European Council

Name: On the Successes of The International in Germany and France
Author: The Bee-Hive

Definition and stakes

The European Council, a key institution within the European Union, sets the political course and priorities through collective decisions made by the heads of state or government of member states. Created in 1975 and officially established in 2009, it does not possess legislative authority but steers policy and addresses crises.

Treaties such as the Lisbon Agreement underscore its responsibilities in foreign affairs, strategic alignment, and crisis resolution, while passages emphasize its reliance on consensus and its impact on EU governance. The Council’s transformation, from informal summits to a more structured leadership system, highlights its central yet non-legislative role in shaping the Union’s future.

Quotes about “European Council”

Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe… (2004)

“ European decisions relating to the common foreign and security policy shall be adopted by the European Council and the Council unanimously, except in the cases referred to in Part III. The European Council and the Council shall act on an initiative from a Member State, on a proposal from the Union Minister for Foreign Affairs or on a proposal from that Minister with the Commission's support. European laws and framework laws shall be excluded. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe… (2004)

“ The Presidency of Council configurations, other than that of Foreign Affairs, shall be held by Member State representatives in the Council on the basis of equal rotation, in accordance with the conditions established by a European decision of the European Council. The European Council shall act by a qualified majority. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe… (2004)

“ If the European Council, after consulting the European Parliament and the Commission, adopts by a simple majority a decision in favour of examining the proposed amendments, the President of the European Council shall convene a Convention composed of representatives of the national Parliaments, of the Heads of State or Government of the Member States, of the European Parliament and of the Commission. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Treaty of Lisbon — Article 2 - Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (2007)

“ In order to promote good governance and ensure the participation of civil society, the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies shall conduct their work as openly as possible. 2. The European Parliament shall meet in public, as shall the Council when considering and voting on a draft legislative act. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Statute of the Council of Europe…

“ If member States set up European specialised authorities among themselves on their own initiative, the desirability of bringing these authorities into relationship with the Council of Europe shall be considered, due account being taken of the interests of the European community as a whole. ”

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Source: Wikisource

the Congress of the Council of Europe, European Charter of Local Self-Government (1985)

“ Considering that the aim of the Council of Europe is to achieve a greater unity between its members for the purpose of safeguarding and realising the ideals and principles which are their common heritage ”

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Source: Wikisource

2007 German presidency of the Council of the European Union, Berlin Declaration (2007)

“ With European unification a dream of earlier generations has become a reality. Our history reminds us that we must protect this for the good of future generations. For that reason we must always renew the political shape of Europe in keeping with the times. That is why today, 50 years after the signing of the Treaties of Rome, we are united in our aim of placing the European Union on a renewed common basis before the European Parliament elections in 2009. ”

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Source: Wikisource

2007 German presidency of the Council of the European Union, Berlin Declaration (2007)

“ We have a unique way of living and working together in the European Union. This is expressed through the democratic interaction of the Member States and the European institutions. The European Union is founded on equal rights and mutually supportive cooperation. ”

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Source: Wikisource

The Bee-Hive, On the Successes of The International in Germany and France

“ It is to the union of ideas and sentiments that prevails amongst the working men of the different countries of Europe that we trust for the maintenance of peace. In a few days the Congress of the International Association is going to assemble. All the countries of Europe will be represented there, perhaps with the exception of France, and will it be too much to say that by the wisdom of its resolutions this assembly of all the European delegates of labour may become the Amphitryonite council of Europe? ”

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Source: Wikisource

2007 German presidency of the Council of the European Union, Berlin Declaration (2007)

“ III The European Union will continue to thrive both on openness and on the will of its Member States to consolidate the Union's internal development. The European Union will continue to promote democracy, stability and prosperity beyond its borders. ”

European Council

Definition and stakes

Quotes about “European Council”

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