A new managed immigration package saw its formal adoption at the summit. This sets out political guidelines to base legal immigration on the labour market needs and reception capacity of each EU country. The pact also sets out terms for keeping behind bars foreigners who are in Europe without permission, and for their deportation.

A decision on when to restart talks with Moscow on a partnership pact, suspended after Russia’s conflict with Georgia in August, was postponed. The withdrawal of Russian troops from buffer zones in Georgia was welcomed. The next EU-Russia summit is scheduled to take place on November 14.

Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen came to the summit with no suggestions on how to revive the Lisbon Treat after the referendum in Ireland blocked its ratification there. He has promised to bring firm proposals to the December Council meeting, but the Swedes, Czechs and Poles have not tied the ribbon on the new EU rule book yet either.

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