Brussels, 05/03/2010 (Agence Europe) - The 25 and 26 March 2010 European Council will be based on three issues, one of which is the EU 2020 strategy unveiled by the European Commission on Wednesday 3 March 2010 (see EUROPE 10090). EU heads of state will discuss the new strategy but their discussions are unlikely to go further than an exchange of views.
Climate change and how to tackle it in the wake of the Copenhagen summit is another important theme for the European Council. Sources close to President Van Rompuy say that the summit will identify action that can be taken. The heads of state will have to choose between: 1) continuing to pursue the path of an ambitious Europe that implements a 20% to 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and tries to remain in the avant-garde of the international community; and 2) implementing the Copenhagen Agreement, the only target of which is to restrict global warming to 2° Celsius. If they go for the second option, member states would have to make pledges by the end of January 2011. Many questions need to be answered: (1) Will 2010 be a transition period or will decisions actually be taken? (2) Should negotiations resume immediately? (3) Should the negotiations be with the international community as a whole or only with specific countries? (4) How intensively should work continue? and (5) What confidence measures should be introduced?
Finances, the idea of a tax on financial transactions and preparations for the upcoming G20 summit in Toronto, Canada, in June 2010 will also be on the agenda. (O.J./transl.fl)