Council of the European UnionInternational
International · founded 1958
What it is
The Council of the European Union, informally known as the Council, is a principal decision-making body that represents the executive governments of the EU member states. Together with the European Parliament, it negotiates and adopts legislative acts, approves the EU budget, and coordinates member states' policies. Tracing its roots to the 1952 Special Council of Ministers of the European Coal and Steel Community, it formally unified across the European Communities through the 1965 Merger Treaty.
People
Martine Hansen
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Viticulture
Ilze Brands-Kehris
EU Special Representative for Human Rights
Kaja Kallas
High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Dara Calleary
Minister for Social Protection of Ireland (Council Co-Chair)
Norma Foley
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality of Ireland (Council Co-Chair)
James Browne
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage of Ireland (Council Co-Chair)
Marc Spautz
Minister of Labour of Luxembourg
Max Hahn
Minister of Family, Solidarities, Living Together and Reception of Luxembourg
Hildegarde Naughton
Minister for Education and Youth of Ireland · Minister for Education and Youth
James Lawless
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science of Ireland · Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Roxana Mînzatu
Executive Vice-President of the European Commission
Events (6)
2026-10-27 OtherHungary Maintains Hold on EU-Ukraine Accession Clusters 4 and 5 in Brussels Working Group
2026-10-26 SummitEU Agriculture and Fisheries Council Reaches Agreement on Post-2027 CAP Position in Luxembourg
2026-10-19 AppointmentCouncil of the European Union appoints Ilze Brands-Kehris as EU Special Representative for Human Rights
