On 10 and 11 December Heads of State and Government will discuss climate change and economic issues. This is the first meeting of the Council after the entry into force of Lisbon Treaty, wich modifies part of the institutional architecture of the EU

On their agenda will be the state of negotiations at the Copenhagen conference on climate change and the economic, financial and employment situation in the EU, in particular exit strategies and supervision of financial markets. Moreover, the European Council is expected to adopt a multi-annual programme in the field of freedom, security and justice, the Stockholm programme.

The December European Council will be chaired by Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt. Following an agreement in December 2008, the Presidency in place at the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty - which occurred on 1 December - chairs the meetings of the European Council until its end of office. As of January 2010, the recently elected President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, will prepare and chair the summit meetings.

According to the Lisbon treaty, the European Council consists of the Heads of State and Government, together with its President and the President of the Commission. The High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy takes part in its work.