European Council 8 - 9 December 2011 - part 1

"It is extremely important that all the EU shows that the euro is irreversible, that we are all supporting it."

The December European Council will focus on reviving the economy, with most attention on stronger economic governance in the euro area and the discussion on possible Treaty change. Energy issues and the prospect of new countries joining the EU will also be on the agenda.

Ahead of the summit, European Council President Van Rompuy sent an interim report on strengthening the economic union, prepared with President Barroso and Eurogroup President Juncker, to the Heads of State and Government. The report sets out options and a possible two-step approach to Treaty change. President Barroso stressed that this European Council needs to take strong decisions that are credible to our citizens, to our international partners and to the markets -- and that allow for the creation of a genuine fiscal compact.

President Barroso said: "The Summit that we are going to start tonight in Brussels is indeed a crucial one. What I expect from all Heads of State and Government is they do not come saying what they cannot do, but what they will do for Europe. All the world is watching us. And what the world awaits from us is not more national problems but European solutions. At the core of this crisis there is a problem of confidence and credibility. This is why we in the European Commission support more convergence, more discipline. It is extremely important that we, all together, all the European Union, show that the euro is irreversible and that we are all supporting the euro. And I believe that this is possible. My appeal, my strong appeal to all the Heads of State and Government is to show this commitment to our common currency. I think this is indispensable -- and leadership is about making possible what is indispensable."

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