HL Deb 24 July 2001 vol 626 cc208-9WA
Lord Bruce of Donington

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will set out, in respect of the European Council:

  1. (a) its international legal status;
  2. (b) by whom, and when, it was first appointed;
  3. (c) its constitution;
  4. (d) its composition;
  5. (e) its powers;
  6. (f) its financing;
  7. (g) its functions;
  8. (h) its relationship with the Council of Ministers;
  9. (i) where it meets; and
  10. (j) the frequency of its meeting. [HL378]

Baroness Amos

The status of the European Council is governed by Article 4 of the Treaty on European Union: it was recognised as a separate Community body in 1986 by Article 2 of the Single European Act, although it had been meeting on a regular basis since 1975. It brings together the heads of state or government and the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the member states and the President and one member of the Commission. It meets at least twice a year, under the chairmanship of the head of state or government of the member state holding the Presidency of the Council. Meetings are held either in the country holding the Presidency or in Brussels. Declaration 22 annexed to the Treaty of Nice provides that from 2002, one European Council meeting per Presidency will be held in Brussels. When the number of member states reaches 18, all European Council meetings will be held in Brussels.

The role of the European Council is to provide the Union with the necessary impetus for its development and to de fine the general political guidelines thereof. The Council of Ministers is the principal decision-making body within the Union.

The Council Secretariat finances the travel and accommodation costs of a certain number of delegates for each member state. All other costs are met by the member state hosting the European Council.