Heads of state and government from the 27 European Union nations arrived
yesterday for a two-day summit meeting, which is expected to be dominated by
discussions on the current global financial crisis and economic issues.
As usual, the leaders kicked off the summit by meeting with Hans-Gert
Poettering, president of the European Parliament. After that, they will be
trying to find ways to save the troubled banks and restore confidence in the
sector.
They will also try to demonstrate the will of the EU to make an essential
contribution to the resolution of the international turmoil.
An energy-climate package and energy security will be on the agenda as well.
On the Treaty of Lisbon, the leaders and the president of the European
Parliament will hear a progress report from Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen on
the prospect of an agreement in December on the approach to take.
Ireland rejected the treaty in a referendum earlier this year.
The summit will also focus on immigration, relations with Russia, Georgia and
other eastern neighbors.
It is expected to adopt the European Pact on Immigration and Asylum, the
basis of a real European immigration policy, one of the four priorities defined
by the French Presidency.
