3. The European Council

The European Council shall bring together the Heads of State or Government of the Member States and the President of the Commission. They shall be assisted by the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Member States and by a Member of the Commission. The European Council shall meet at least twice a year, under the chairmanship of the Head of State or Government of the Member State which holds the Presidency of the Council.

The European Council meets at least twice during each Presidency; in March, June, September and December. Since 2000, in accordance with the Lisbon strategy, the March Council addresses economic, social and environmental issues. Presidency conclusions are published after each meeting. Following the negotiations between the Member States, the European Council - on a consensus basis - can issue:

• guidelines setting out the priorities of the European Council relating to the management of the Union and its common policies by the Council of Ministers and the European Commission. At times they take the form of general policy guidelines and determine the time-scale and specific objectives;
• declarations or resolutions which express the views of the Heads of State or Governments on a specific point.

The primary function of the European Council, then, is to give the general impetus and social, economic and political guidance in all areas of European Union activities at both European and national levels. But its guidelines and declarations are not legally binding. To be put into effect, they must follow the routine procedure for Community legal instruments: proposals from the European Commission voted on by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, followed where necessary by implementation at national level.