1. European Council
Filip Kwiatkowski

2. What is the difference? Council of the European Union
Council of Europe
European Council

3. What is the difference? Council of the European Union
Council of Europe
European Council

4. What is the difference? Council of the European Union
Council of Europe
European Council

5. Who and what is the European Council?
Heads of state of the member states and President of the European Commission
The highest political body of the European Union
Around four meetings a year for two days

6. Mission
The European Council shall provide the Union with the necessary impetus for its development and shall define the general political guidelines thereof.
(Article 4 of the Treaty on European Union)

7. Further roles
settle issues outstanding from discussions at a lower level
lead in foreign policy - acting externally as a ‘collective Head of State’
formal ratification of important documents
involvement in the negotiation of the treaty changes

8. How to implement? Problem: No formal legislative or executive power
Lack of strong internal leadership
Solution:
Influence of national leaders
European Commision President
guidelines, resolutions, declarations

9. Current cases: 1. Economic report on the progress of the EU
Economic growth has reached 2,9% in 2007, but is likely to be lower this year
public debt has declined to just under 60%.
economic outlook deteriorates recently as a result of a slowdown of economic activity in US, oil and commodity prices, and turbulence on the financial markets
increases in food and energy prices have contributed to inflationary pressures

10. Current cases:
2. Adoption of timeframe and principles for the energy and climate change package
Economic efficiency and cost-effectiveness set within the framework of the Lisbon Strategy.
Fairness and solidarity in the distribution of efforts between Member States
Transparency: the debate on the package should be carried out transparently

11. Current cases: 3. Investing in knowledge and innovation
4. Unlocking the business potential, especially of SMEs
5. Investing in people and modernising labour markets
6. The stability of the financial markets
7. Statemant on Barcelona Process: ’Union for the Mediterranean’

12. Future: Under the treaty of Lisbon: Formal institution
Independent from Council of the European Union
Single, fixed President

13. Thank you for your attention.