- The European Council determines broad priorities and guidelines for the European Union.
- The President of the European Council, together with the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, represent the EU internationally.
- The members of the European Council are the prime ministers or presidents of each of the 28 Member States of the EU, together with two non-voting members - the President of the Council of the EU, and the President of the European Commission.
- The European Council meets in Brussels at least twice every six months. These meetings are sometimes know as "EU Summits".