The Spring European Council this year will take place on March 1-2. During the summit the leaders of the 27 member states will discuss the results from the first measures, agreed precisely one year ago for tightening the economic governance of the EU - the European Semester and the Euro Plus Pact. As the tradition goes for the spring summits, the leaders will discuss the Annual Growth Survey 2012 (AGS2012), presented by the Commission earlier than usual - in November 2011. Special focus at this summit will be put on (as in January) on the measures the member states have to undertake to promote growth and to tackle unemployment.

Another important topic, which the European Council is expected to discuss is Serbia's readiness to receive a candidate status. Belgrade expected this to happen in December last year but then there was no agreement among the 27 and the decision has been postponed for the spring under the condition that Serbia would continue its dialogue with Kosovo.