The first part of the General Affairs and External Relations Council meeting, presided over by Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel, centred on preparations for the European Council meeting, which is due to take place on Thursday and Friday, 13–14 March 2008. The European Council will discuss a number of important and priority issues of the Slovenian EU Presidency, among which Dr Rupel highlighted the revival of the Lisbon Strategy and environmental package involving measures for preventing the consequences of climate change. As regards climate change, Dr Rupel underlined that the needs of the Member States should be taken into consideration, while the EU should undertake efforts to achieve the set objectives, as reducing greenhouse gas emissions is in the interest of all parties. Energy safety and the stability of financial markets will also be addressed at the European Council.
Today the council of foreign ministers reviewed the draft resolutions to be discussed at the end of the week. Later on the ministers will debate foreign policy topics which could be included in discussions at the European Council meeting.
