Abstract

As digital technologies increasingly influence global governance, security, and economic competitiveness, the EU sought to assert greater control over its digital infrastructure, data governance, and technological innovation under the framework of “digital sovereignty.” The Council of the EU, as a pivotal institution in shaping EU policy, was instrumental in articulating and advancing this concept. This paper examined the role of the Council of the European Union in shaping the concept of European digital sovereignty. By analyzing key Council documents, including regulations, decisions, conclusions, declarations, communications, and press releases, the paper identified recurring themes, policy priorities, and significant shifts in the conceptualization of digital sovereignty over the period 2000–2024. This research contributed to the growing body of literature on European digital sovereignty by providing a nuanced understanding of how the Council of the EU contributed to its development as a strategic policy concept. It underscored the Council’s role not only as a policymaker but also as a mediator of competing visions within the EU, offering insights into the institutional and geopolitical dimensions of the EU’s digital transformation.