At the European Council on 16 September, the heads of state and government are planning to debate the strengthening of the EU's global role, including further relations with strategic partners to the EU – China, India, and Brazil. The ministers accentuated that The EU should become a more capable, co-ordinated and strategic player on the global arena. There was a particular focus on the preparations for international events of international significance. The European Council in October is expected to formulate the EU position for the Seoul G20 Summit of 11 November, and political messages for the EU-US Summit, as well as to evaluate the performance of the Environment Council and the Economic and Financial Affairs Council ahead of the Cancun Climate Change Conference this December. In December, the European Council intends to have a discussion on the Western Balkans.  

When commenting on the EU relations with strategic partners, Secretary of State Andris Teikmanis emphasised that a balance should be sought between political, economic, and security dimensions, and the EU-NATO co-operation should be strengthened.  The Secretary of State also urged to devote greater attention to the EU Neighbourhood Policy, the Eastern partnership in particular.

The 16 September Council is to discuss economic governance on the basis of the report by the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy. The aim of the initiative is to strengthen the functioning of the Stability and Growth Pact and expand supervision over microeconomic misbalances.  The Council meeting of 28-29 October, for its part, will evaluate success in the field of regulating financial services as well as the situation in relation to introducing a system of levies and taxes on financial institutions.

As this year's flooding in Pakistan was one of the most severe in the history of the country and has caused damage to infrastructure thus indirectly aggravating the security and humanitarian situation in the country, the General Affairs Council discussed the EU involvement.