December European Council

from 16 December 2010 to 17 December 2010
16:00 - 15:00

The heads of state and government of the 27 EU countries will meet at the European Council in Brussels on 16 and 17 December. The meeting will focus on plans to establish a permanent mechanism to safeguard the financial stability of the eurozone as a whole.

The President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy is expected to present a limited draft amendment to the Treaty of Lisbon to enable the creation of a permanent stability mechanism for the euro area. This was requested by the October European Council where leaders agreed on the need for member states to set up such a mechanism.

At the close of the summit, leaders will adopt Conclusions, which will be made available immediately in all EU languages on the European Council website.

Source: European Council

Invitation letter by President Herman Van Rompuy to the European Council

Information for the press

Indicative Media Programme

Background briefing

Background note

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Where

Justus Lipsius, Rue de la Loi 175, Brussels

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Decision-making process

Council of the EU:
The Council decides

The Council decides on legislative proposals. This takes place in accordance with normal legislative procedure, in consultation with the European Parliament. The Council meets in various configurations. There have been ten council configurations since the Treaty of Lisbon came into effect. Each council configuration deals with a number of fixed areas and is comprised of the authorised national ministers. Every minister in the Council is authorised to enter into agreements on behalf of their government. Each council configuration – except for the Foreign Affairs Council, which is chaired by the High Representative – is chaired by the member state currently presiding over the rotating six month role.
European Parliament:
The European Parliament decides

The European Parliament has various commissions. They prepare the contents of the recommendations for the legislative proposals. The European Parliament, together with the Council, accepts legislative proposals from the European Commission. Since the Treaty of Lisbon came into effect, the procedure whereby both institutions decide on the vast majority of the areas on an equal footing (normal legislative procedure) has been applicable. In this normal legislative procedure, both institutions must approve the legislative proposal in question. The European Parliament can accept, reject or change the content of legislative proposals.
Council working groups and the COREPER:
The council working groups and the COREPER prepare

The council working groups and the Permanent Representatives Committee prepare the Council activities. They attempt to prepare the ground as much as possible for a compromise. There is therefore a long and intensive preparation before every Council meeting. The member state chairing the Council presides over the Coreper and the bulk of the council working groups.
European Commission:
The European Commission draws up new legislative proposals

The European Commission draws up legislative proposals that it presents to the Parliament and the Council. These proposals must protect the interests of the EU as a whole. The Commission is comprised of 27 members. Each member state therefore nominates one member. The College of Commissioners meets every week on Wednesday mornings in Brussels. In these meetings they discuss each point on the agenda and then make a collective decision. Each member of the Commission can request a vote. The European Commission decides by normal majority.

Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union

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