TheEuropean Union (EU) is a member of theG7 (theG8, until Russia was uninvited in 2014). It has been dubbed its "8th member",[1] holds all the privileges and obligations of membership but without the right to host or chair a summit.[2] As the full name of the G7 is the "Group of Seven Nations", the EU has not been included in the number, hence there being eight members in the G7.[2]
Thepresident of the European Commission has attended since he was first invited to thethird G7 summit in 1977,Roy Jenkins was the then-president.[2] Since 1981, the president has attended all sessions of the G7.[3] The EU is currently represented by the Commission president and thepresident of the European Council.[2] The latter used to be the rotating chair of the council of EU state leaders, with irregular attendance since1982.[4] The Council Presidency sometimes coincided with one of the G8 members, in which case that leader attended with their national and European mandate.[2] Since 2009, the president of the European Council is a permanent position, who always attends the summits. As the EU is a member, what the presidents endorse at the G7 is politically binding on them.[2]
The EU attends due to its role in the world economy, and its relevancy increased with the establishment of asingle market,common currency andforeign policy. TheParis Summit of 1989 was a landmark year for the EU's participation in the G7, when the G7 asked the EU to assume responsibility forPhare.
