When heads of state and government meet at the European Council in Brussels on December 8 and 9, they will discuss economy, energy and enlargement. In the margins of the European Council, the accession treaty with Croatia will be signed.

The leaders will discuss the overall economic situation, with a focus on structural reforms and fiscal consolidation as the basis for a return to sustainable growth, including exploring the possibility of limited Treaty changes, and proposals for possible steps aimed at deepening economic integration in the EU.

Talks will amongst others be based on the interim report "Towards a stronger economic Union", elaborated by the President of the European Council in close collaboration with the President of the Commission and the President of the Eurogroup. The report addresses economic coordination and convergence in the euro area; budgetary discipline, including possible treaty changes; economic union; and strengthening the existing crisis mechanisms.

The summit will assess progress made on energy efficiency, the internal energy market, energy infrastructure development and external energy policy. It will also assess the initial findings of the nuclear stress tests on the basis of a preliminary report from the Commission as well as the progress report on the security of nuclear power plants.

Concerning enlargement, the European leaders will take the required decisions on possible next steps for particular accession countries. They will also discuss the issue of Bulgaria's and Romania's accession to Schengen.

After the ceremony for the signing of the Accession Treaty with Croatia, this country will participate in the summit as an observer, the European Council said in a press release.