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Summit of European Union heads of states starts in Brussels today

11 December 2008 12:20 (UTC +04:00)

APAâ€™s special correspondent reports from Brussels that the summitâ€™s agenda includes ratification of Lisbon treaty of the European Union, adoption of new legislative package on the ways to eliminate financial crisis and on reduction of carbon emissions.

The summit will begin at 18.00 (Baku time), earlier than the traditional time. Diplomats underline that the discussions may last till Saturday. Irelandâ€™s ratifying Lisbon treaty will be first of all considered in the summit. 53 percent of the Irish people voted against joining this treaty in the referendum held in June. Prime Minister of Ireland Brian Cowen will clarify the reasons of the negative attitude of the Irish people towards the new treaty of the European Union and share his views on the work done for the ratification of the treaty.

The initial variant of the summitâ€™s final document has already been published in The Irish Times. According to the document, all EU members state that they are ready to take all possible steps for Irelandâ€™s joining Lisbon treaty. The member states say they agree to Ireland representativeâ€™s holding the post of commissioner in the European Commission and protection of the countryâ€™s neutral status.

Second issue on the agenda is the discussion of European Commissionâ€™s proposals on elimination of results of financial crisis. According to the proposal, EU member countries should direct 1.5% of GDP for stimulation of economy. France proposed to officialize the step in EU Summit. However, several EU member countries are not satisfied with the proposal.

Third issue on the agenda is linked with combating climate changes. Previous EU summit specified concrete measures on this issue.
These is 20-percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, 20-percent energy savings and 20-percentrenewables in total energy consumption for the EU by 2020.The Summit decides to determine concrete duties for member states to implement these proposals irrespective of economic situation.

There is a serious divergence of opinion among EU member countries on this issue. Germany is against determination of small scale duties for new member states. Italy supports Germanyâ€™s position. Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi threatened to veto any climate deal that hurt Italy’s interests too much. EU new member states demanded compensation for damage assessment.