"The European Union, now reformed under the Lisbon Treaty, is going through a period of significant change. The processes of today will shape the future of the 500 million strong community. Lithuania is prepared to take on an active role in implementing future EU reforms that will simplify the work of European institutions and facilitate the coordination of the interests of member states," President Grybauskaitė said.

The EU institutional reform, climate change, European energy policy, and other EU priority issues will be discussed at the meeting.

The Treaty of Lisbon, which entered into force on December 1, changes and optimizes the Community's institutional structure, introduces a more simple, effective and transparent decision-making process, provides the European Union with new competences, and promotes a more active engagement of citizens in the political process.

The new constitutional treaty has also created the posts of President of the European Council and High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. At their informal meeting in Brussels, EU heads of state and government named former Belgian Prime Minister Herman van Rompuy the first EU President and appointed Briton Catherine Ashton, former EU commissioner, as High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

Herman Van Rompuy is the President of the European Council as from 1 December 2009.