Brussels, 19/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - Preparations for the 16-17 December 2010 European Council will be the main subject on the agenda of the General Affairs Council in Brussels on the morning of Monday 22 November, chaired by Steven Vanackere. Without going into details (the full preparations are cleary the responsibility of Herman Van Rompuy), the ministers will take note of the preparations, particularly on the limited revision of the Lisbon Treaty being considered to create a permanent eurozone sovereign debt crisis mechanism. Van Rompuy was mandated by the European Council at the end of October to open consultations on this topic (see EUROPE 10247). A decision on how the new mechanism will operate and the revision of the treaty will be taken by EU heads of state on 16 or 17 December. The December European summit will continue September's debate on relations with the EU's strategic partners. (H.B./transl.fl)