Belgian Presidency Of The Council Of European Union

As President of the Council of the EU, Belgium's role mainly consists of organising and managing the work of each Council configuration through its competent ministers. The Foreign Affairs Council is the only exception to this rule. Since the Treaty of Lisbon entered into force, it has been presided by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Lady Catherine Ashton. The Presidency of the Council ensures that the Council runs smoothly, chairs and directs discussions, tries to reconcile divergent points of view and formulates proposals for compromises so that decisions can be taken. The Presidency also plays an important role in negotiations with the other institutions of the Union, especially the European Parliament which, like the Council, has to give its assent to most European legislation. The rotating Presidency doesn’t only chair the various configurations of the Council. Belgium also chairs the Coreper and the large majority of working groups during its presidency. Before the Treaty of Lisbon entered into force, the six-month Presidency also presided over the European Council. That is no longer the case. The European Council is now a separate Union institution with a permanent president who is elected for a term of office two-and-a-half years and may be re-elected once. Since 1 December 2009, this function has been exercised by former Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy. His job is therefore to chair the European Councils.