The Council prepared the ground for the October European Council by examining a draft agenda. The European Council of 23-24 October is expected to take a decision on the new climate and energy policy framework, to discuss the economic situation in Europe and to address pressing international issues.
 
“In order to reach a deal in October, further work needs to be done on pending issues, and in particular on burden sharing. However, delegations confirmed the objective of reaching an ambitious agreement on the climate and energy package”, said Sandro Gozi, State Secretary for European Affairs of Italy and President of the Council.
 
As a follow-up to the June European Council the Council examined the implementation of the initiatives taken in the last two years to foster growth, jobs and competitiveness in Europe and discussed how to accelerate the implementation of these measures.
 
“This is a new exercise launched by the Italian Presidency aimed at better ensuring the evaluation and more effective implementation of the European Council conclusions” added State Secretary Gozi. “Today, on the basis of a report provided by the Presidency, we had a first discussion focused on jobs, growth and competitiveness, which was also helpful in view of the Conference on Employment at the level of Heads of State or Government to be held in Milano on October 8. The discussions today will also help the preparation of the discussion at the October European Council. Following a series of monthly debates, at the end of our Presidency, we will submit a comprehensive report on the first phase of the implementation of the strategic agenda”.
 
The Council adopted conclusions concerning the EU strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian region.
 
“The conclusions adopted today by the Council pave the way to the endorsement of the macro-regional strategy by the October European Council”, added State Secretary Sandro Gozi. “As one of the priorities of the Italian Presidency, the strategy will provide new tools to foster cooperation in areas like the maritime economy, preserving the marine environment, completing transport and energy links and boosting sustainable tourism at a regional level, for the benefits of 70 million citizens.”
 
The Presidency also informed the Council on the outcomes of the first meeting of the “Friends of the Presidency Group” on improving of the functioning of the EU, held on 25 September.