MEPs outlined their priorities in the run up to the European Council of 29 and 30 October 2009, with a particular focus on the Lisbon Treaty and the Copenhagen summit on climate change. European leaders shall also address the financial crisis, illegal immigration, employment and the new EU External Action Service.

The different political groups’ positions may be summarised as follows:

Lisbon Treaty : the President of the European Commission said that after the strong support expressed by Ireland and the Polish ratification of the Treaty, it can now therefore be adopted democratically by all the Member States.

The President of the EPP considered that as long as the European public debate was monopolised by the institutional debate, the real issues could not be dealt with properly. The ALDE leader stated that the Czech President seemed to have accepted the idea that nothing could delay the Lisbon Treaty anymore. Stressing that institutional changes were not conducive to the fight against climate change, the representative of the ECR Group hoped that the summit would focus on issues judged important by the EU citizen. Lastly, the EFD Group recalled that the Czech President Klaus, defending the Czech national interest, had every reason to worry given that all Europeans still have not democratically adopted the Lisbon Treaty.

Climate change and the Copenhagen Conference : the Commission President stated that the longer Europe waited before taking action, the higher the costs would be. He stressed the need to find creative solutions and show that the EU was united in the fight against climate change.

The President of the EPP Group felt that the strategy should be adapted to the current situation, in order words, to the weakness of commitments of EU partners to date. He questioned the nature of the pressure - moderate to maximum - to put on the United States on China and all emerging countries. Recalling the importance of decisions to be taken in Copenhagen, the representative of S&D Group stressed need for binding targets, rather than general statements. The Greens pointed out that Copenhagen was the biggest challenge of the EU. They recalled that the EUR 100 billion needed for developing countries to meet their commitments on climate change was nothing in comparison to the amounts involved to resolve the economic crisis or to save the financial sector.

Economic Crisis and Employment : the S&D representative recalled that the bonuses still being paid were scandalous and provocative which demonstrated a sheer lack of understanding by managers as to how the new financial market regulation should work. However, he welcomed the emerging consensus on employment policy for the coming years.

The GUE/NGL expressed concern that no strategy to achieve the goal of a sustainable social and pension systems was visible in the policies of either the Member States or the Commission.

New top EU jobs created by the Treaty of Lisbon : the Swedish Presidency indicated that it will present a report on the preparations for the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, a report which will contain guidance on how the service around the High Representative for Foreign Affairs will function.

Debate in Parliament

The Council examined an annotated draft agenda prepared by the presidency for the European Council meeting to be held in Brussels on 29 and 30 October . It will make more detailed preparations for the meeting at its meeting on 26 and 27 October.

The Council in particular took stock of work on energy infrastructures and energy interconnections and on crisis mechanisms relating to the security of energy supplies. The discussion focused on implementation of the EU's economic recovery plan, as regards financial assistance to energy projects, and relations with third countries as concerns energy.

Issues to be addressed by the European Council include:

institutional issues; climate change; the economic situation; macro-regional strategies; illegal immigration.

It is also likely to discuss external relations, in the light of international developments.

The annotated draft agenda will serve as the basis for draft European Council conclusions to be prepared by the presidency and submitted to the Permanent Representatives Committee in the run-up to the Council's meeting on 26 and 27 October.

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