Published in November 1976 in the monthly journal 30 Jours d’Europe, this article describes the role, composition, operation and activities of the Council of the European Communities. It emphasises, in particular, the decision-making processes and the difficulties that these entail, the role of the Foreign Ministers, of Coreper, of the Presidency of the Secretariat and the successes and failures of the institution over the years. The article also describes the proceedings of an agricultural marathon and the origins of the European Council.

In a speech delivered on 25 April 2002, the Swedish Prime Minister, Göran Persson, calls for the reform of the Council, attaching particular importance to the responsibilities of the Presidency, the General Affairs Council and the European Council.