Preparation of the European Council, 29-30 October 2009

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.