Economic crisis to dominate EU summit

By Simon Taylor - 19.03.2009 / 14:58 CET

G20 positions and debate about European Commission fund for infrastructure projects are likely to be major issues at EU leaders' spring summit.

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Fact file

Running order of the European Council

Thursday

16:00: Start of summit. Audience with European Parliament President Hans-Gert Pöttering.

16:30: Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen will address the European Council on the state of play of discussions on the Lisbon treaty

16:45: First working session dealing with the economy and energy: approval of the strategic energy review and preparations for the climate change summit in Copenhagen in December

Discussion on economic recovery plan (including the 7 May jobs summit in Prague) and financial markets

Dinner: Discussion on the objectives for the London G20 summit on 2 April to agree an overhaul of the global financial architecture. Also discussion of EU's €5 billion stimulus package of energy and rural development projects

Foreign ministers will discuss Pakistan, Afghanistan, eastern partnership and the impact of the recession of the EU's eastern neighbours such as Ukraine