The Council of the European Union exercises legislative and budgetary functions jointly with the European Parliament. It carries out policymaking and co-ordinating functions as laid down in the Treaties. The Council is composed of one representative at ministerial level per Member State, while the precise configuration of its meeting is determined by the topic under discussion. The Presidency of the Council rotates every six months among the governments of Member States, except in foreign policy. Council decisions are made by weighted qualified majority voting in most policy areas and unanimity in others. The European Council and Council of the European Union are two different bodies.
The European Council comprises the heads of state or government of all EU Member States, the President of the European Council (who chairs its meetings) and the President of the European Commission. The HR/VP (see below) also takes part in meetings of the European Council. Neither the presidents of the European Council and Commission nor the HR/VP have a vote. While the European Council has no legislative power, the Lisbon Treaty established that it defines the general political directions and priorities of the European Union. The European Council also deals with complex and/or sensitive issues that cannot be resolved at a lower level. The European Council defines the principles of, and general guidelines for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and decides on common strategies for its implementation. The President of the European Council is elected by the Council Members for a two and a half year (renewable) term and represents the European Union on issues concerning its CFSP at the level of heads of state or government.
The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission (HR/VP) is a dual-role post established under the Lisbon Treaty. In the first role, the HR/VP is responsible for foreign affairs and security policy, chairs the Foreign Affairs Council and has authority over the 145 EU Delegations. In the second role, the HR/VP is a vice-president of the European Commission whose responsibilities within the Commission are to ensure the consistency of EU external relations and to co‑ordinate other aspects of EU external action. The HR/VP also represents the European Union in matters relating to the CFSP.
The European External Action Service (EEAS) is the diplomatic service of the European Union. Formally launched on 1 January 2011, it assists the HR/VP in functions such as developing and implementing the CFSP and co‑ordinating other areas of EU external relations. The EEAS, working with European Commission services, ensures coherence between external policy objectives and development. It comprises European civil servants, diplomats from the foreign services of the EU Member States and local staff in countries around the world.