Europese Raad, Brussels - Main contents

date	October 18, 2012 10:00
city	Brussels, Belgium
address	Wetstraat 175 [map]
location	Justus Lipsius building i
room	50.1
attending	H.A. (Herman) Van Rompuy i et al.
organisation	European Council i

The October European Council will focus on economic policy, but is also expected to address foreign policy and other international issues.

The European Council will review progress in the implementation of the Compact for Growth and Jobs agreed at the June summit and, if necessary, set additional orientations to promote growth and employment.

The President of the European Council will report on the work being carried out on the future of the Economic and Monetary Union further to the June European Council. In this context, the European Council will assess progress made regarding the recent proposal for a single European banking supervision mechanism and, where required, set further orientations. It will also examine the wider issue of the Banking Union and its components.

The heads of state or government will also hold an exchange of views on relations with strategic partners, in particular China, and in this context will be briefed by the President of the European Council on the outcome of the last EU-China summit of 20 September.

The European Council brings together EU leaders to set the EU's political agenda. It represents the highest level of political cooperation between EU countries.

One of the EU's 7 official institutions, the Council takes the form of (usually quarterly) summit meetings between EU leaders, chaired by a permanent president.

What does the European Council do?