( RIA Novosti ) - Leaders from the EU's 27 member states will gather in Lisbon on Thursday for a two-day informal summit to try and reach a deal on the EU landmark reform treaty, a spokesman for the EU Council said.
The draft 250-page text, due to be ratified in December and enter force on January 1, 2009, is intended to replace the constitution treaty rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005, while revising the name and structure, but abandoning the controversial European anthem and flag.
On the eve of the Lisbon summit European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said, "I understand that there are still some points to settle but this, I hope, will not be the battle of Lisbon."
The summit, chaired by the Portuguese, is expected to reach a breakthrough in approving the treaty on EU reforms, streamlining the organizations' institutions, decision-making and giving it more political weight.
The proposals for the 27-member body create a longer rotating presidency, a more powerful foreign policy chief and a controversial "double majority" voting system.
The new system rejected by Poland, which said it weakened the positions of average-sized countries in favor of the U.K., France and Germany, requires the support of at least 55 % of member states representing 65 % of EU citizens to approve a decision.
"We have a good agreement on the table. I believe it is the best deal that is on offer," Barroso told reporters, adding that "everybody is coming to Lisbon in a spirit of commitment to a solution."
Meanwhile, Barroso voiced his hope, that Poland would not be a stumbling block on the way to the crucial treaty.