Climate, markets, governance top EU agenda

BRUSSELS, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Issues concerning climate change, the global financial crisis and governance issues dominated Thursday's opening of an EU summit in Brussels.

Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen was to present an analysis on why Ireland nixed EU governance reform -- the Lisbon Treaty -- and what can be done to revive the treaty that would trim the European Commission to two-thirds of the countries at any one time, the EUObserver reported.

Participants also are expected to consider an economic strategy that includes a plan for the European Union to invest 1.5 percent of its gross domestic product to boost economic activity in the face of a projected recession next year, the publication said. While accepting the plan in principle last week, some EU members expressed reluctance to pumping in additional financial help beyond what they'd already budgeted.

European leaders also are expected to take up a climate change package. Ministers are divided about issues such as compensation for carbon dioxide emission reduction, the EUObserver said.