Europeiska unionens råd

EU:s råd är den EU-institution där ministrarna från de 28 EU-länderna sitter.

There are 10 different Council configurations, covering the whole range of EU policies. 

The composition and frequency of Council meeting varies depending on the policy area.

For example, economic and finance ministers meet once a month in the Ecofin Council.

The environment ministers participate in the Environment Council meetings, which take place about four times per year. 

The Council adopts legislative acts (regulations, directives, etc.), in many cases in co-decision with the European Parliament, coordinates member states’ policies, concludes international agreements on behalf of the EU and adopts the EU’s budget together with the European Parliament. 

The EU’s 28 countries take it in turn to chair the Council for a period of six months each.

During this period, the presidency chairs meetings at every level (except the foreign affairs policy area), proposes guidelines and draws up the compromises needed for the Council to take decisions. 

The European Council brings together heads of state or government of every EU country, the president of the European Commission and the president of the European Council, who chairs the meetings.

The meetings or summits take place at least four times per year. 

The European Council provides the EU with the necessary impetus for its development.
It identifies major issues to be dealt with by the Council in each of the policy areas under its responsibility. 

Decisions of the European Council are taken by consensus. It has no power to pass laws.

Council presidencies up to 2020

July - December 2016: Slovakia

January - June 2017:
Malta

July - December 2017: United-Kingdom

January - June 2018: Estonia

July - December 2018: Bulgaria

January - June 2019: Austria

July - December 2019: Romania

January - June 2020: Finland