The EU summit negotiations in progress in Brussels resumed this morning. Among several topics in the agenda, most of all, participants are focussing on the climate package, based on interventions limiting polluting emissions and increasing energy efficiency. Yesterday, the draft drawn up by the French Presidency in-office was examined by the heads of state or government, and today a final version might be issued, taking into consideration the objections raised by some countries (Italy and Poland, first of all). The measures safeguarding the environment should be implemented in a more gradual way, for those measures would cause additional costs to some manufacturing sectors. The economic downturn in progress has to be taken into consideration. The Council of Europe is also dealing with the Treaty of Lisbon, the very economic downturn, and some issues relating to foreign policy and defence. With reference to the talks conducted until now (President-in-office Nicolas Sarkozy declared to be "optimistic"), the summit should end in the early afternoon. Later on, the various subjects tackled by the leaders of the 27 countries will be examined by the European parliament, whose plenary assembly is taking place in Strasbourg next week, for the final vote. ” “
