EuroparlTV takes you behind the scenes of the EU summit, as leaders debate and negotiate Europe's political priorities and future.

How it works: European Council Summits

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To put it briefly, this is a European summit.

The first thing is that the European Council  is nothing to do with the Council of Europe,

and is an international organisation  outside of the European Union.

But how long have European summits  been taking place?

OK, a bit of history.  In 2014 it will be 40 years

since these European Councils  set the pattern for the EU's political life.

In 1974, the idea of the former  French President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing

was to create a club where the heads of  state and government could meet regularly.

But only in 2009, with the Treaty of Lisbon,

did the European Council  become a real institution

with a president appointed for a term  of two and a half years, renewable once.

But what are these great  political and media shows really for?

Surprising though it may seem, the  European Council has no legislative power.

Only the European Commission  can propose laws.

On the other hand, the European Council  defines at the highest level

the general political directions  and priorities of the Union.

But it's becoming harder and harder to  reach the famous European compromises,

especially with 28 heads of state  and government around the same table.

The general idea is to take decisions  by consensus.

Starting in November 2014,  for a decision to be adopted,

it must obtain the support of 55% of states

representing at least 65%  of the Union's population.

But some decisions  can also be taken by unanimity,

so each state therefore has a right of veto.

For example, to record a state's serious  and persistent violation of EU values,

on issues of foreign policy  or common security,

or to approve amendments  to the EU treaties,

although the procedure  has recently been simplified.

But let's come back to  the European summits.

In reality, a major part of the negotiations  takes place well before the summit.

Everything happens in the wings  between diplomats, foreign ministers,

In fact it's possible to obtain  a rough draft of the summit conclusions

But how do the journalists  inform themselves

when the discussions  are behind closed doors?

Hence the famous hours of waiting  at the conclusion of every EU summit.

In truth the debates are never totally secret.

During the summit, each delegation  organises press briefings.

It's off the record, but information  still circulates informally.

And for those who can't access  the summits, social media has stepped in.

you can follow the progress  of discussions almost live

up till now the heads of state met here  in the Justus Lipsius building.

But in time everything will take place  in this new building under construction,

which is still in the heart of  the European Quarter in Brussels.