The EU & G7 - G8

Representatives of the then European Community first began participating at the 1977 London Summit after the agreement between the European Commission and Council Presidents that “The President of the Council and the President of the Commission will be invited to take part in those sessions of the (Downing Street) Summit at which items which are within the competence of the Community are discussed”. The Commission then gradually became fully associated with the run up to the Summit and included in political discussions at the Summit itself. The European Union now participates at the G8 Summit and is represented by the President of the European Commission and the leader of the country that holds the Presidency of the European Union. When a European member of the G8 hosts the Summit at the same time as holding the EU Presidency, the two roles are combined.

The link address is: http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/g7_g8/intro/index.htm