European Girls are beautiful

Herman Van Rompuy

Jose Manuel Barroso

European Council

Overview of European Council Structure Lisbon treaty Improvement and Task of Membership and President Function Activities Relation with other EU System

Structure of EU institutions European Council European Parliament European Commission Council of Ministers The only directly- elected body of the EU. Have a legislative power. ①Commissioner( the ones selected from each states)② president it proposes new legislation to the European parliament and the Council of the European Union. Member states’ government representatives Adopt legislative acts in conjunction with the European Parliament ①President or Prime Minister of member states + ②president + ③president of Commission Defines the general political direction and priorities of the EU. Highest organ of decision making

Overview of European Council General Information of European Council Before and After Membership and President Improvements and Task

Location Brussels European Council Members ①President or Prime Minister of member states + ②president + ③president of Commission Purpose Defines the general political direction and priorities of the EU. Meeting 1, Twice every 6 months 2, Special meeting (when some crisis happened) It does not exercise legislative functions Decided by consensus Length Two day period From morning to late afternoon of the second day

Lisbon Treaty form the constitutional basis of the European Union. 13 December Changed a lot of European Council.

Before Lisbon Treaty （ 2007 ） European Council was not official. President ： President ： was not decided. →Rotation of 6month →○chance to every member states →×Never Ending Turn overs Membership Membership: Meeting Room were open for the two formal members per delegation.

After Lisbon Treaty European Council became the official institution President President: Creation of the president Membership Membership: European Commission president becomes European Council member. heads without ministerial accompaniment.(based on Council of Ministers model) ※ 2002 Seville Summit

Improvements All things are for relaxed informality

Task in terms of Presidency The range of responsibilities and tasks of the President are not clear. President does not have specific power. “Who does what” problems. He/she will chair the European Council and drive forward its work, and ensure its proper preparation and continuity in cooperation with the President of the Commission, on the basis of the General Affairs Council's work. The President also endeavours to facilitate cohesion and consensus within the European Council and presents a report to the European Parliament after each of its meetings. The President will also, at his or her level, ensure He/she will chair the European Council and drive forward its work, and ensure its proper preparation and continuity in cooperation with the President of the Commission, on the basis of the General Affairs Council's work. The President also endeavours to facilitate cohesion and consensus within the European Council and presents a report to the European Parliament after each of its meetings. The President will also, at his or her level, ensure President is selected by QMV(qualified majority vote) ※ In case of Herman van Rompuy President is selected by QMV(qualified majority vote) ※ In case of Herman van Rompuy

Tasks The increased number of participants due to enlargement prevent encouraging informality

How summit is processed GAERC ( at least 4weeks before the Summit) Timing and length depends on the situation. ex)December 2003 Summit, December 2000 summit

discussion Question: Is it possible for EU to have a true meaning relaxed informality with continuous enlargement??

Function It is a forum, at the highest political level - building mutual understanding and confidence - between the governments of the EU member states It identifies medium and long term EU goals Policy initiator and dispenser of policy guidelines

Function It makes an important contribution to the coordination of EU policy goals and activities Decision maker -ultimate responsibility -on matter not resolved by the Council of Ministers It does not have legislative power

Activities Relatively FREE Various activities Setting the overall framework and taking decisions about the major initiative to be pursued.

1.The evolution of the European Union only occasionally reviewing and guiding the general evolution of the EU E.g. troubleshooting when progress in building the EU threatened - persuade Irish people to ratify the Lisbon Treaty

2.Constitutional and institutional matters 1. European Council takes important decisions relating to treaty development and reform E.g. finalizing the contents of treaties 2. A range of specific institutional matter are considered and decided E.g. the location of several EU office and agencies

2.Constitutional and institutional matters 3. Takes important personal decision Appoint… President of the European Council High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy President, Vice President, and the Executive Board members of the European Central Bank Propose to the EP…. Commission President

3.The economic and monetary policies of the European Union reviewed the overall economic and social situation within the EU economic growth, trade patterns, inflation, exchange rates, and unemployment

4.Enlargement it takes most important decisions relating to EU accession applicants on the basis of recommendations from the Commission

5.External relations 1. economic issues considering EU’s relations with other countries (US, Japan, etc.) coordinating the EU’s position in international negotiations (G20, WTO, etc.)

5.External relations 2. foreign and security policy - flame the common foreign and security policy 3. declaration on important political aspects of international political affairs - e.g. famine

6.Specific internal policy issues Policy initiation Tackling issues that the Council of Minister has been unable to resolve Final resolution

Important events 1969 The Hague: Foreign policy and enlargement Paris: Creation of the Council Milan: Initiate IGC leading to the Single European Act Maastricht: Agreement on the Maastricht Treaty Copenhagen: Leading to the definition of the Copenhagen Criteria Amsterdam: Agreement on the Amsterdam Treaty Brussels: Selected member states to adopt the euro Cologne: Declaration on military forces 1999 Tampere: Institutional reform 2000 Lisbon: Lisbon Strategy 2002 Copenhagen: Agreement for May 2004 enlargement Lisbon: Agreement on the Lisbon Treaty Brussels: Appointment of first president and merged High Representative European Financial Stability Facility

Relation with other EU system

It strengthened the position of national governments in the EU system. It adds an extra intergovernmental elements to EU It focuses on ‘very high’ policies ( taking major ‘history decisions’)

Relation with other EU system 1. Commission Undermined point Its special position regarding policy initiation Positive points It can enter into political discussion in European Council It can submit reports and documents to the summits

Relation with other EU system 2. Council of Ministers Undermined point It lost power to discuss most major issues Positive points no rigid hierarchical relationship with European Council no consistent line of division with European Council it can prepare and channel most issues discussed in European Council European Council cannot deal with too many subjects

Relation with other EU system 3. European Parliament Negative point Largely bypassed by European Council Positive point EP President can address the opening session of summits

discussion Question: Should the power of the European Council strengthen or not? Which is better for EU?

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