Climate change, the economic situation and institutional issues related to the Lisbon treaty will be the main focus of the EU summit to be held in Brussels on 29 and 30 October.

The first European Council under the Swedish presidency is set to discuss some of the major challenges facing the Union. Ahead of the UN climate conference in December, heads of state and government are expected to work on an overall mandate for the negotiations in Copenhagen. The EU wants to maintain its leading role in climate talks.

As the ratification process of the Lisbon treaty is now close to completion, EU leaders will take stock of the situation. They will examine how to bring the long-drawn-out process to a successful end. After the irish "yes" in the referendum, now it is time for the Czech Republic, the only Member State that has not ratiffied it yet, to sign the Treaty in order that it comes into force next January.

Regarding the economic crisis, the summit will provide guidance for further work, including strengthening the surveillance of financial markets. EU leaders will have to review the recent proposal of the European Parliament which called for a single financial supervisory authority in the EU.

Other topics include illegal immigration in the Mediterranean and an EU strategy for the Baltic Sea region. These and other issues to be addressed at the meeting were prepared by foreign ministers in the Council of General Affairs which took place in Luxemburg on 26 and 27 October.