Knowra Council of the European Union Council of the European Union The Council of the European Union is an EU institution where ministers from member states negotiate and adopt legislation, coordinate policies, and approve parts of the EU budget.
Council configurations : The subject-based formations of the Council, each bringing together ministers responsible for a particular policy area. Ministers meet in different configurations according to the legislation or policy under discussion.
European Commission : The EU institution that proposes legislation, implements policies, and oversees the application of EU law. The Commission generally initiates legislation that the Council negotiates and adopts.
Treaty of Paris : The 1951 treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community, which began operating in 1952. Its Council of Ministers was an institutional predecessor of today's Council.
Council of Europe : An international organization focused on human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, separate from the European Union. It is not an EU institution and does not adopt EU legislation.
Presidency of the Council of the European Union : The member state that chairs most Council meetings for a six-month term and helps set its agenda. The rotating presidency organizes negotiations and chairs most configurations.
European Parliament : The directly elected EU institution that represents citizens and shares legislative and budgetary powers with the Council. Parliament is the Council's co-legislator in most EU policy areas.
Treaty of Rome : The 1957 treaties that established the European Economic Community and Euratom. They created Councils of Ministers for the new European Communities.
Unanimity : A decision rule requiring every participating member to agree for a proposal to pass. Unlike qualified majority voting, it gives each government a veto in specified Council policy areas.
Qualified majority voting : An EU voting method requiring support from at least 55% of member states representing at least 65% of the EU population. It is the Council's usual voting method for adopting legislation.
European Council : The EU body of national leaders that sets broad political priorities and directions but does not normally legislate. Despite the similar name, it brings together heads of state or government, not ministers acting as legislators.
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