This summit seems likely to be conflict-free.
EU leaders meet in Brussels
Thursday, 13 March 2008
EU leaders are gathering in Brussels for what is likely to be unusually conflict-free summit. European Commission proposals on how to turn ambitious green goals into concrete laws, the union's Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs and ways in which to strengthen fragile financial markets are the main topics up for debate.
Spring high-level meetings are traditionally dominated by economic matters, with EU diplomats predicting that this year, the show could be over as early as Friday lunch-time (14 March).
The 27-nation bloc will set a clear time-table in order to deliver on main green goals by 2020 - to slash the bloc's CO2 emissions by 20 percent compared to 1990 levels and to boost the share of renewable energy sources in overall energy consumption by 20 percent. The share of biofuels in transport should be increased to 10 percent.
According to prepared draft conclusions, EU capitals and MEPs should give their political backing to the commission-sponsored green package by the end of this year in order to wrap up the legislative process in early 2009.
Political agreement on Brussels' plans to liberalise the EU's energy sector - also known as unbundling, the break-up of energy giants - should be reached in June 2008, the paper says.
"The momentum cannot be allowed to slip. The timing of an agreement is critical to its success," commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said ahead of the summit (12 March).
But despite its general tone, the debate could reveal some differences in member states' opinions on how to meet overall targets.
New member states are set to underline the need to keep the balance between green goals and competitiveness, as they are concerned over the fate of their energy-intensive industries in the face of a proposal to buy emissions permits by auction.
Another subject causing debate in some EU quarters is the biofuels target, due to its impact on food stocks and prices. "It is essential to develop and fulfil effective sustainability criteria, which could in the future also be considered for the use of other forms of biomass for energy,", the draft summit paper states.
Lisbon strategy
When it comes to the EU's strategy for boosting growth and job creation, European leaders will discuss ways in which to boost structural reforms, modernisation of labour markets and investments into areas such as education and innovation.
"The Lisbon strategy is working," Mr Barroso said, referring to several key facts - 6.5 million new jobs were created in the last two years, unemployment is at its lowest level in 25 years and productivity is growing faster than in the United States.
Mr Barroso spoke out against protectionism, saying "Europe needs to protect, but it must avoid the temptation of becoming protectionist. A retreat into protectionism would be madness."
Regarding the fragile situation in financial markets, "early warning systems at the EU and international level should be enhanced, including by strengthening the role of the IMF in oversight of macro-financial stability," the draft summit paper suggests, among other measures.
Mediterranean Union
During Thursday's dinner, French President Nicolas Sarkozy together with German Chancellor Angela Merkel will brief their counterparts on creating a Union for the Mediterranean.
The union group would tie southern Europe with North Africa as well as Israel and its Arab neighbours and tackle topical issues such as counter-terrorism, immigration, energy, trade, water and sustainable development.
But some member states have already expressed reservations, with one EU diplomat telling EUobserver that the idea could set a "precedent", inspiring others to set up a similar group with the EU's eastern neighbours.
"We cannot imagine such a group financed by the common EU budget", he said, adding the EU should fully exploit existing structures.