With Jean-Claude Juncker confirmed Tuesday by the European Parliament as the next head of the Commission, the specially called summit will also focus on the leadership of the European Council, which represents the bloc's 28 political leaders and sets overall policy direction.
It is also possible they will look at the Eurogroup, currently headed by Dutch Finance Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem, amid speculation some countries want to have a permanent executive at the helm who will be better placed to ensure policy coordination for the single currency.
The summit is expected to review developments in Ukraine as Washington presses for tougher sanctions against Russia while the EU is divided over how far to go given some member states, such as Italy and Germany, have major economic ties with Moscow.