In this interview excerpt, Wilfried Martens, Belgian Prime Minister from 1979 to March 1981 and December 1981 to 1992 and President of the European People’s Party (EPP) since 1990, discusses the role and operation of the European Council and how it has developed since the Lisbon Treaty. He also considers the nature of relations between the Heads of State or Government and describes how Belgium prepared for European Councils.

In this interview excerpt, Wilfried Martens, Belgian Prime Minister from 1979 to March 1981 and December 1981 to 1992 and President of the European People’s Party (EPP) since 1990, discusses the reasons that led the Heads of State or Government to appoint Herman Van Rompuy as President of the Council of the European Union.