The European Union

The Council of the European Union, composed of ministers from the 27 Member States, is one of the three key institutions of the European Union. This body, together with the European Parliament, plays a fundamental role in the legislative and decision-making process, taking as a reference the proposals of the European Commission. It is an essential entity in shaping the policies and direction of the EU, ensuring that the interests of all Member States are represented at the Community level.

• What does the Council of the European Union do?
• Not to be confused with either the European Council or the Council of Europe
• More information about the Council of the European Union

The Council of the EU is chaired, on a rotating basis, every six months by a member state, which is responsible for deciding the agenda of the meetings and promoting decision-making within the Council. There is no election for the Presidency of the Council; each state takes its turn. This means that all member states hold the Presidency of the Council at some point in time. Their turn comes every thirteen and a half years.

When it is their turn, the member states holding the presidency work closely together in groups of three, known as "trios". The trio sets the long-term objectives and draws up a common agenda with the themes and main issues to be addressed by the Council over an 18-month period. On the basis of this agenda, each of the three countries prepares its six-monthly program in greater detail.

• Detailed information on the Council's rotating Chairmanship
• What does it mean to hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union?