BRUSSELS, March 7 (Xinhua) -- The leaders from European Union (EU) member states will look at economy, security, migration and the situation in the Western Balkans in their spring summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said on Tuesday.
According to leaked council draft conclusions, the bloc will "reiterate its determination to deliver on all the elements of the Malta Declaration."
The declaration adopted at last month's informal summit in Malta focused on measures to stem the flow of migration from Libya to Italy.
According to Tusk, one of the key summit objectives will be on jobs, growth and competitiveness while the benefits of "widely and fairly" spread economic growth will also be stressed.
"The deepening of the Single Market and a robust trade policy are two avenues to help us achieve those goals. At the same time, we also need to avoid the creation of new barriers, both in Europe and on the global stage," Tusk said.
The draft conclusion called for a speedy implementation of the just-approved EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), stressing trade remained one of the "most powerful" engines for growth.
Besides, the president of the European Central Bank is also invited to share with national leaders his observations on the EU and euro area economies.
Given growing concern over recent developments in the Western Balkans, the leaders will discuss the bloc's engagement in the region. "The EU will remain engaged in the Western Balkans and stand by its commitments," Tusk said.
Meanwhile, the leaders will also look at how to sustain the momentum of reinforcing Europe's security and defense, Tusk said.
"Europe must do more to protect its citizens and maintain stability in the neighborhood and beyond, including by committing sufficient additional resources," said the draft document.
This has been taken as an indirect reference to U.S. President Donald Trump's call for all NATO members to pay their "fair share" on the cost of collective defense.
The leaders from 27 EU member sates will meet again on Friday to prepare for the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, as British Prime Minister Theresa May, who is expected to trigger Article 50 to start Brexit talks later this month, will not attend.
European Commission's Future of Europe White Paper, unveiled last week by its President Jean-Claude Juncker, will be debated as national leaders need to find a common position for the future direction of the European project ahead of the Rome summit.
Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have stressed the need to continue focusing on an "ambitious EU" whereas some decried the EU's current direction and track record.
British MEP Syed Kamall, leader of the European Conservatives and Reformists group in the European Parliament, said "Recent referendum results in the UK, Netherlands, Italy, Hungary and Denmark have shown a loss of faith in the EU."
"The main objective must be to reconnect the EU to people and make it worthy of their trust by being more respectful to its member states, focused on where it can add value," he added.
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