'Mini summit' turns EU spotlight onto new challenges[fr][de] 

European heads of state and government are meeting in Brussels today (14 December), in what diplomats are calling one of the shortest European Councils on record. Nevertheless, EU leaders are keen to demonstrate that the EU is "moving on" and will discuss some of the most pressing issues on the European agenda:

• Reflection Group

The summit is to launch a high-level reflection group, originally conceived by French President Nicolas Sarkozy as a group of wise men. The group, comprising up to 12 members, will deal with long-term issues for the EU, such as strengthening and modernising the European model of economic success and social responsibility, the rule of law, sustainable development, global security, migration, energy and climate change and the fight against international crime and terrorism, as well as reaching out to the citizens.

However, the group is not to deal with the issue of Europe's final borders, including the delicate question of Turkey's accession, as envisaged by its mastermind Nicolas Sarkozy. The group is equally not to deal institutional questions, nor review current policies or the EU's next financial framework.

• Declaration on Globalisation

A declaration on "shaping globalisation in the interest of all citizens and business" is to be endorsed by European leaders at the summit. The paper, posted on the Blogactiv website, is to set out how the Union will tackle future "economic, social, environmental, energy and security challenges".

"The European Union will press for increasingly open markets which should lead to reciprocal benefits" while ensuring that competition is "fair" and respects "intellectual property rights". In order to boost the Union's internal market "investment in research, innovation and education should be strengthened as a central driver for growth and jobs and to ensure that all will benefit from the opportunities of globalisation."

On climate change and energy, the draft says the EU "will deliver" on its "very ambitious commitments" adopted in March this year to boost renewables and slash greenhouse gas emissions. The Council conclusions are also expected to make reference to the results of the recent Bali conference on climate change.

• Western Balkans

EU leaders will also comment on future European engagement in the Western Balkans, as the region faces crucial challenges following the failure of talks on the future status of Kosovo. The issue will be discussed at the United Nations Security Council on 19 December.

According to draft conclusions seen by EurActiv, the EU will state its "readiness to assist Kosovo in the path towards a sustainable stability, including by intensifying its preparations for an ESDP mission and for a contribution to an international civilian office as part of the international presence" and through "a clear European perspective".

However, member states are still split over how to respond to a looming unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo. While most member states are ready to recognise an independent Kosovo, others, such as Cyprus, Greece, Slovakia and Spain remain opposed.

According to British diplomats, the EU is making an effort to persuade Kosovo to wait to declare independence until after the Serbian elections expected in January and meanwhile will try to move towards unity within its own ranks. However, the EU still lacks a concrete timetable for the weeks to come. 

EU leaders are also expected to encourage Serbia "to meet the necessary conditions to allow its Stabilisation and Association Agreement to be signed rapidly" and reiterate its "confidence that progress on the road towards the EU, including candidate status, can be accelerated".

But member states are still to discuss whether to insist on Serbia's full cooperation with the war crimes tribunal (ICTY) as a condition for the signing of the SAA, French diplomats said.