Internal memorandum, dated 26 September 1952, addressed to the Secretary-General of the ECSC Special Council of Ministers concerning a certain number of arguments which could be used to defend the proposed organisation of the Secretariat. The memorandum, in particular, refers to the conditions governing the selection of officials of the Secretariat: their qualifications for the post, the fair allocation of posts between the ECSC Member States and the balance between the various categories of officials.

On 17 November 1952, Christian Calmes, Secretary-General of the ECSC Special Council of Ministers, forwards to Konrad Adenauer, Chancellor and Foreign Minister of the FRG, a report on the state of the organisation of the resources and staff of the Secretariat. In his letter, Christian Calmes urges the President-in-Office of the Council to help resolve the serious staff shortage.

This internal memorandum of 12 December 1952 summarises the arguments which the Secretariat of the ECSC Special Council of Ministers intends to put to the Council in defence of its organisation plan. In particular, it outlines the need to adapt its staff to the working procedure of the Council, the provisional recruitment procedure, as well as the importance of maintaining equal treatment between the officials of the Secretariat of the Council and those of the other Community institutions and national administrations.

This internal memorandum of 22 October 1954 sets out the principles behind the establishment of the structure of the Secretariat of the ECSC Special Council of Ministers and, in particular, the principles behind the organisation of its administrative functions.

Organisation Chart of the ECSC Special Council of Ministers General Secretariat in 1954, including the number of employees and their salaries.

This table portrays the number and the categories of the staff employed within the Secretariat of the ECSC Special Council of Ministers in 1954, as well as their wages hierarchy.

Address delivered by Nicolas Hommel, Secretary-General of the Council of the European Communities from 1973 to 1980, on 19 November 1976 in Brussels on the occasion of the second ceremony held to present commemorative medals for 20 years of European service. In his address, Nicolas Hommel gives an account of the development of the role and activities of the General Secretariat and addresses the question of staff demands concerning their working conditions.

In 1998, Niels E. N. Ersbøll, General Secretary of the Council of the European Communities from 1980 to 1994, analyses the role of the Secretariat and describes the development of his relations with the Presidency since the year of his taking office.

In the light of the increase in and extension of the tasks of the General Secretariat, resulting from the development of the European Union and the extension of the scope of the Council’s activities, the General Secretariat sets out, in a note dated 18 April 2001, its determination to undertake a process of adaptation, aimed particularly at ensuring positive changes to its working methods.

In accordance with openness and transparency standards, and in order to facilitate public access to the documents of the Council of the European Union, the Secretary-General/High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) adopts on 25 June 2001 a code of good administrative behaviour for the General Secretariat of the Council and its staff in their professional relations with the public.

Diagram illustrating the organisation of the Secretariat General of the Council in November 2003.

In this interview, André Dubois, former attaché in the Secretariat of the Special Council of Ministers of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), remembers the establishment of the Secretariat in Luxembourg and the working atmosphere in the team.

In this interview, André Dubois, former member of the Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Conference on the Common Market and Euratom, recalls the establishment of the Secretariat and outlines the organisation and conduct of the Val Duchesse Conference.

In this interview, André Dubois, former Head of Division at the Secretariat of the Council of the European Economic Community (EEC), recalls the location of the seat of the European institutions in Brussels and, in particular, the establishment of the Secretariat, which became a joint Secretariat for the three Councils.

In this interview, André Dubois, former Head of Division at the Secretariat of the Council of the European Communities (EC), emphasises the importance of the operational unity of the Secretariat from 1958 onwards in preparation for the merging of the three Councils in 1967.

In this interview, André Dubois, former Director of Commercial Policy at the Council of the European Communities, recalls the role of the General Secretariat of the Council and the role of the Commission in the trade negotiations conducted by the European Community.

In this interview, Norbert Schwaiger, former Head of the Press Office of the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union, outlines the role played by the Secretariat, in particular as the Presidency’s assistant, in the organisation of the work of the institution. He also emphasises the importance of its Legal Service and of its Translation Service.

In this interview, Norbert Schwaiger, former Head of the Press Office of the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union, comments on the benefits for the Member States, in particular for the small and for the new Member States, of being able to draw on the expertise of the Secretariat when they hold the Presidency.

In this interview, Norbert Schwaiger, former Head of the Press Office of the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union, outlines the development of the role of the General Secretariat of the Council, in particular following the entry into force of the Treaty on European Union in 1993 and following the development of the common foreign and security policy (CFSP).

List of the Secretaries-General of the Council since 1952 indicating the historical development of their functions (Secretary-General of the Special Council of Ministers of the ECSC, of the Councils of the European Communities, of the Council of the European Communities and of the Council of the European Union/High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy).

Christian Calmes (Luxembourg), Secretary-General of the Council from 9 September 1952 to 14 June 1973.

In June 1973, the Luxembourger Christian Calmes, first Secretary-General of the Council (right), hands over his powers to his successor and compatriot, Nicolas Hommel.

Nicolas Hommel (Luxembourg), Secretary-General of the Council from 1 July 1973 to 7 October 1980.

Niels E. N. Ersbøll (Denmark), Secretary-General of the Council from 8 October 1980 to 31 August 1994.

Jürgen Trumpf (Germany), Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union from 1 September 1994 to 17 October 1999. From the beginning of 1999 until the end of his term of office, he also served as High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP).

Javier Solana (Spain), Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union/High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) from 18 October 1999 to 30 November 2009.

Table of the General Secretariat at the meeting of the Council in its General Affairs and External Relations configuration held on 2 November 2004. From left to right: Javier Solana, Secretary-General of the Council and High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP); and Pierre de Boissieu, Deputy Secretary-General.

Pierre de Boissieu (France), Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union from 1 December 2009 to 25 June 2011.

In a letter dated 5 April 1973 to Renaat Elslande, Belgian Foreign Minister and President-in-Office of the Council, the Secretary-General, Christian Calmes, asks the Council to accept his resignation and to appoint his successor.

In a letter dated 4 May 1973, Renaat Elslande, Belgian Foreign Minister and President-in-Office of the Council, notes the letter of resignation received from Christian Calmes, Secretary-General of the Council, and expresses his gratitude for Mr Calmes' contribution to the European cause over so many years.

Council Decision of 4 June 1973 accepting the request from Christian Calmes for authorisation to relinquish his duties as Secretary-General of the Council and conferring honorary status upon him.

In this press release, published following the meeting of 4 June 1973, the Council of the European Communities announces that it has accepted Christian Calmes' request for authorisation to resign from his position as Secretary-General of the Council as of 15 June 1973. The Council also announces the appointment of Nicolas Hommel as his successor as of 1 July.

On 14 June 1973, Joseph van de Meulen, President-in-Office of Coreper, delivers an address following the resignation of Christian Calmes, who had been Secretary-General of the Council for 21 years. In his address, he recalls Christian Calmes' professional career from the date on which he took up his role in the ECSC Special Council of Ministers in 1952.

On 14 June 1973, Klaus Meyer, Secretary-General of the Commission of the European Communities, delivers an address following the resignation of Christian Calmes, who had been Secretary-General of the Council for 21 years. In his address, he outlines the key role played by Christian Calmes in the establishment of the Secretariat-General and thanks him for the establishment of effective cooperation between the two institutions.

In this address, delivered on 14 June 1973 on the occasion of his resignation, Christian Calmes, the first Secretary-General of the Council, gives an overview of his 21 years of service at the head of the Secretariat and thanks his colleagues, as well as the members of Coreper and the representatives of the Commission.

On 26 September 1980, in its Decision appointing Niels E. N. Ersbøll as its third Secretary-General, the Council of the European Communities strengthens the role of the Secretariat and, for the first time, acknowledges the importance of the office of Secretary-General.

On 13 September 1999, on the occasion of the appointment of Javier Solana as Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union, High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy with effect from 18 October, the Council lays down the employment conditions of the new post.

On 13 September 1999, the Council appoints Javier Solana as Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union, High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, for a period of five years with effect from 18 October 1999.

On 29 June 2004, the Council appoints Javier Solana as Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union, High Representative for the common foreign and security policy for a period of five years with effect from 18 October 2004.

On 13 September 1999, the Council appoints Pierre de Boissieu as Deputy Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union for a period of five years with effect from 18 October 1999.

On 29 June 2004, the Council appoints Pierre de Boissieu as Deputy Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union for a period of five years with effect from 18 October 2004.

Remarks made to the press by Dr Javier Solana, Secretary-General of the Council, High Representative of the European Union for the common foreign and security policy, upon taking up office.

On 29 June 2004 in Brussels, the Heads of State or Government of the Member States of the European Union, in agreement with the President designate of the Commission, decide that on the day of entry into force of the Constitutional Treaty Javier Solana, Secretary-General of the Council and High Representative for the CFSC, will be appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs and that Pierre de Boissieu, Deputy Secretary-General of the Council, will be appointed Secretary-General of the Council for the remainder of his previous term of office.

This excerpt dated 13 to 18 November 2000 taken from Javier Solana’s weekly schedule of events illustrates the type of activities performed by the Secretary-General of the Council and High Representative for the CFSP.

In this interview, André Dubois, former attaché in the Secretariat of the Special Council of Ministers of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), outlines the influence of Christian Calmes, first Secretary-General of the institution, in the establishment of the General Secretariat.

In this interview, André Dubois, former official in the Secretariat of the Council of the European Communities (EC), outlines the role played by the three Secretaries-General, Christian Calmes, Nicolas Hommel and Niels Ersbøll, in the development of the institution.

In this interview, Norbert Schwaiger, former Head of the Press Office of the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union, considers the careers and the work of the five Secretaries-General who, during his career, succeeded to the head of the General Secretariat: Christian Calmes, Nicolas Hommel, Niels Ersbøll, Jürgen Trumpf and Javier Solana.

In this interview, Norbert Schwaiger, former Head of the Press Office of the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union, sets out the tasks of the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and speculates on the creation of a new post of European Union Minister for Foreign Affairs.

On 4 June 1986, the General Secretariat of the Council notifies its staff of the accommodation, from 1 January 1987, of the Secretariat for European Political Cooperation (EPC) in the Charlemagne Building as an autonomous body separate from the General Secretariat of the Council.

At the Council meeting of 21 and 22 July 1986, an exchange of letters takes place between Geoffrey Howe, in his capacity as President-in-Office of European Political Cooperation (EPC), and Niels Ersbøll, Secretary-General of the Council, on the arrangements for accommodating the EPC Secretariat in the Council’s Charlemagne Building in Brussels.

By Council Decision of 1 May 1999, the Council lays down the detailed arrangements for the integration of the Schengen Secretariat into the General Secretariat of the Council.

On 14 February 2000, the Council approves the secondment of national experts in the military field to the General Secretariat during an interim period. They are to provide military expertise to the Interim Military Body and the Secretary General/High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP).

Following the Santa Maria da Feira European Council held on 19 and 20 June 2000, with a view to putting in place permanent political and military structures related to the European security and defence policy (ESDP), the General Secretariat of the Council adopts a number of measures concerning, in particular, physical and IT security, reconstruction work on a new building and the planning of staff requirements.

Council Decision 2001/80/CFSP of 22 January 2001 establishes the Military Staff of the European Union (EUMS). It is formed by military personnel seconded from the Member States to the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union.

Diagram illustrating the organisation of the European Union Military Staff (EUMS), as set out in the Council Decision of 22 January 2001 establishing the European Union Military Staff.

Address by Javier Solana, High Representative for the EU common foreign and security policy, delivered before the External Action Working Group of the European Convention on 15 October 2002. In his speech, Mr Solana explains the nature of his role, shares lessons learned from his own experience and puts forward proposals for a more efficient foreign policy.

In an interview granted to the French daily newspaper Le Monde, published on 29 March 2003, Javier Solana, Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union, sets out his role in international crisis management, incumbent upon him as High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and emphasises that the responsibility for establishing common positions, as well as responsibility for the domain of foreign policy, lies primarily with the Member States of the European Union.

Published on 17 October 2006 in the German daily newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, this article pays tribute to the work of Javier Solana as High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and comments on speculation on his successor.

Council Decision 2005/395/CFSP of 10 May 2005 amends the terms of reference and organisation of the Military Staff of the European Union (EUMS), established as part of the Council structures by Decision 2001/80/CFSP.

Overview of the organisation of the European Union Military Staff (EUMS) as set out in the Council Decision of 10 May 2005 amending the Decision establishing the European Union Military Staff.

Establishment plan of the European Union Military Staff (EUMS) in 2006.

Information brochure on the role, duties and organisation of the European Union Military Staff (EUMS).

On 23 May 2005, Javier Solana, Secretary-General of the Council/High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) (left), and Pieter Cornelis Feith, Deputy Director-General for Politico-Military Affairs in Directorate-General E (External Relations) of the General Secretariat of the Council, attend a meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) on the European security and defence policy (ESDP).

On 25 March, in Brussels, following the terrorist attacks of 11 March 2004 in Madrid, the European Council adopts the Declaration on combating terrorism, in which it agrees to the establishment of the position of a Counter-Terrorism Coordinator and welcomes Javier Solana's decision to appoint Gijs de Vries as the first person to hold this post.

On 30 March 2004, Javier Solana, Secretary-General of the EU Council and High Representative for the common foreign and security policy (CFSP), introduces to the press the Dutchman, Gijs de Vries, former Deputy Interior Minister, who will be responsible for coordinating the counter-terrorist activities of the Member States and for monitoring compliance with the undertakings given by European governments after the bomb attacks in Madrid on 11 March 2004.

In an interview granted in autumn 2005 to NATO Review, Gijs de Vries, Counter-Terrorism Coordinator at the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union, outlines the nature of his role in coordinating national policies in the field of counter-terrorism and stresses that responsibility in this field lies primarily with the governments of the Member States and emphasises the need for international cooperation.

In an interview published in the French newspaper Le Monde on 17 February 2007, Gijs de Vries, before leaving his post as Counter-Terrorism Coordinator in the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union, emphasises the importance of adhering to the law in the fight against terrorism and the need to review the decision-making machinery in the Council in order to improve its efficiency.

Gijs de Vries (Netherlands), European Union's Counter-Terrorism Coordinator from 2004 to 2007.

Gilles de Kerchove d'Ousselghem (Belgium), European Union's Counter-Terrorism Coordinator since 19 September 2007.

In this interview excerpt, Philippe de Schoutheete, Belgian Permanent Representative to the European Union from 1987 to 1997, analyses the office of High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, which, since the Treaty of Lisbon, has combined the roles of permanent President of the Foreign Affairs Council and Vice-President of the European Commission.

In this interview excerpt, Jacques Delors, President of the Commission of the European Communities from 1985 to 1995, discusses the role that should be played by the new High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy established by the reforms introduced by the Lisbon Treaty, and speaks about the creation of the European External Action Service (EEAS).