Ursula von der Leyen, President-elect of the European Commission, arrives for the EU summit in Brussels, Belgium, Oct. 17, 2019. The two-day summit kicked off on Thursday. (Photo by Riccardo Pareggiani/Xinhua)
BRUSSELS, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of the European Union (EU) gather in Brussels for a two-day summit beginning on Thursday afternoon with issues from Brexit to condemnation of Turkey's military action in Syria expected to be on their agenda.
The 28-member EU is the world's largest trading bloc. The heads of state or government meet in an EU27 format to discuss Britain's withdrawal.
The EU leaders are expected to discuss relations with Turkey, including its military action in northeast Syria. Earlier this week, the member states' foreign ministers adopted conclusions condemning Turkey's action and urging it to cease and withdraw its forces.
The enlargement of the EU will also be dealt with, which focuses on the opening of accession talks with Albania and the Republic of North Macedonia. EU foreign ministers failed to greenlight this issue earlier this week.
The leaders will discuss a follow-up to the strategic agenda and the priorities for the EU for the years 2019-2024 as well as the long-term EU budget, formally known as the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework.
Climate change is another topic to be discussed.
Ursula von der Leyen, president-elect of the European Commission, will be invited to present the priorities of the new commission.
The summit is also expected to adopt a decision appointing former International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde as the president of the European Central Bank.
