Stuttgart, 19 June 1983. Bulletin of the European Communities (1983). nr.
6.
[...]
2.1 The European Council
2.1.1 The European Council brings together the Heads of State or Government
and the President of the Commission assisted by the Foreign Ministers of the
Member States and a member of the Commission.
2.1.2 In the perspective of European Union, the European Council
provides a general political impetus to the construction of Europe;
defines approaches to further the construction of Europe and issues
general political guidelines for the European Communities and European
Political Cooperation;
deliberates upon matters concerning European Union in its different
aspects with due regard to consistency among them;
initiates cooperation in new areas of activity;
solemnly expresses the common position in questions of external
relations.
2.1.3 When the European Council acts in matters within the scope of the
European Communities, it does so in its capacity as the Council within the
meaning of the Treaties.
2.1.4. The European Council will address a report to the European
Parliament after each of its meetings. This report will be presented at least
once during each Presidency by the President of the European Council.
The European Council will also address a written annual report to the
European Parliament on progress towards European Union.
In the debates to which these reports give rise, the European Council will
normally be represented by its President or one of its members.
