European Council
What does the European Council do?
The European Council meets quarterly to set the EU's agenda and priorities. It provides the EU with strategic direction and impetus. European Council conclusions signal the future course of action for the EU.
The European Council is formed by the presidents or prime ministers of each member state, also bringing together their foreign ministers and the President of the European Commission.
The meetings (usually called European 'summits') are chaired by whichever country holds the European Presidency, which rotates every six months from one member state to the next.
What does the EU Presidency do?
The EU Presidency is occupied by a member state rather than an individual. It rotates between member states on a pre-arranged basis every six months.
The member state with the EU Presidency will chair the meetings of both the European Council and the Council of Ministers, as well as the official level meetings that prepare for these Councils. It will have the opportunity to set the agenda for the EU in this six month period, though any decisions must be approved by the normal voting processes.
Swedish Presidency of the European Union
Recent EU Presidencies
2009 Czech Republic
2005: United Kingdom ; Luxembourg