I think part of the difference could be cleared by calling the European Council the EU Summit. Which makes it clearer what it is. Medium-information people are marginally used to the 'summit' name (as in G8 Summit, Millenium Summit, Earth Summit...).
Maybe "The Council" could be renamed "the [EU] Council of Ministers", too. When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes
