The EU Heads of State and Government met as the European Council for the second and final time during the Slovenian Presidency on 19 and 20 June, in Brussels. The European Council meeting proper was preceded by a meeting of the Council in the composition of the EU Heads of State and Government, which reviewed whether Slovakia was ready the adopt the euro as its currency on 1 January 2009.

This was followed by an exchange of views with the President of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Pöttering.

The June European Council, chaired by its President, Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša, commenced its busy agenda by taking stock of the process of ratification of the Lisbon Treaty across the EU. The Presidency also presented progress made in the preparatory work aimed at ensuring that the Lisbon Treaty can fully function as soon as it enters into force.

Also on the agenda were certain key dossiers in the field of freedom, security and justice, which were given the necessary impetus to allow their timely adoption.

Another important item on the European Council agenda were the high food prices, under which recent developments and policy implications for the European Union were discussed.

The EU leaders reconfirmed the European Perspective for the Western Balkans and took stock of the implementation of the Thessaloniki Agenda.

Other issues discussed at the European Council included the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals, possible enhancements in the eastern dimension of the European Neighbourhood Policy, as well as the 'Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean' ahead of the Summit on 13 July 2008 devoted to this issue.

Video:

• Press Conference: European Council (Friday, June 20th at 00:30)
• Press Conference: European Council (Friday, June 20th at 14:45)