What’s on the agenda at the EU summit

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union heads of state and government are meeting in Brussels on Thursday and Friday to talk about economic and energy policies, and the crises in Ukraine and Libya. A special meeting has also been arranged to discuss the Greek debt problem.

Here are the main issues on the agenda:

—GREECE: A mini-summit will take place Thursday evening with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to discuss Greece’s precarious financial situation. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said she doesn’t expect a breakthrough.

—UKRAINE: Leaders will discuss how Ukraine and pro-Russian rebels are implementing peace accords for eastern Ukraine. Further sanctions against Russia are not on the agenda.

—FREE TRADE: Amid growing opposition, the leaders will encourage the European Commission to try to reach a free trade pact with the United States. Many Europeans fear it will harm workers and consumers.

—ENERGY UNION: Europe wants to end the separation between its 28 national energy markets. The EU estimates this might save European consumers some 40 billion euros ($42.7 billion) a year.

—ECONOMY: European leaders are talking with the head of the European Central Bank, Mario Draghi, about how to spur growth. A new program aims to raise investment by 315 billion euros.

—LIBYA: EU members have been debating the possibility of a peacekeeping operation. The oil-rich North African nation has become a target for groups such the Islamic State.

Category: International