Leaders from the 27-member European Union opened a two-day summit here on Thursday to discuss a reform treaty which was recently rejected by the Irish people in a referendum and the rising food and oil prices.

Leaders from the 27-member European Union opened a two-day summit here on Thursday to discuss a reform treaty which was recently rejected by the Irish people in a referendum and the rising food and oil prices. (Xinhua Photo)

The leaders are to listen to Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen to explain the reasons for the rejection of the Lisbon Treaty by his country, the only nation of the EU to put the treaty in a referendum.

They "together examine the ways on how to move forward" with the treaty, a version of the demised constitution treaty rejected in 2005 by France and the Netherlands.

"It is important for us to show that the EU will move forward and stay on the path of progress," said rotating EU President Janez Jansa, Slovenian prime minister.

The accession of Slovakia to the euro-zone is on the agenda of the summit, the last under Slovenia's presidency.

The first working session of the European Council started with the topic of food and oil prices.

On Friday, the leaders will look at justice and home affairs, economic, social and environmental issues and reaffirm support for the European perspective of the Western Balkans and underline the need for further action.

France will take the rotating EU presidency next month.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet