At its meeting in June, the European Council is expected to mainly focus on institutional issues, on the economic, financial and social situation as well as on climate change and sustainable development. It will also give its political blessing to Jose Manuel Barroso's bid for a new term as the European Commission

As regards institutional issues, it is due to discuss the guarantees to be agreed in response to the concerns of the Irish people presented by the Irish prime minister about the Lisbon Treaty.

Standing as the only official candidate for the EU's top post, the former Portuguese prime minister Barroso is virtually assured to remain, but he will have to wait for a legally-binding decision on his re-appointment only after the European Parliament has its words.

Dealing with the economic, financial and social situation, it is expected to take stock of or decide on measures to promote stability, to strengthen regulation and supervision of the financial sector and to support the economy and employment. Moreover, it will assess the implementation of the steps agreed at the G20 summit in London on 2 April.

Concerning climate change and sustainable development, the European Council will discuss the preparation of the international conference on climate change to be held in Copenhagen in December and is expected to call for the implementation of the EU's sustainable development strategy as well as the adoption of a strategy for the Baltic Sea.

In addition, the European Council may have an exchange of views on a number of topics in the field of external relations. The European Council is expected to issue a declaration on Afghanistan/Pakistan.