Statistics Explained

Glossary:European Council

The European Council refers to the regular meetings, or summits, of European Union (EU) heads of state or government.

It should not be confused with:

  • the Council of the European Union (also known as the Council or Consilium in Latin), the EU's main decision-making body consisting of national ministers, one for each Member State, with both executive and legislative powers;
  • the Council of Europe, a 47-member non-EU organisation of nearly all European countries.

Related concepts