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European Commission - January 2008
European Commission – January 2008
European Commission - January 2008
Why a new treaty ? #1
• We do not need a new treaty just for the sake of a treaty
• We need a new treaty for a 'Europe of Results', to equip Europe
for the 21st century
• EU institutions were designed for a Community of six countries - not 27 or more
European Commission - January 2008
Why a new treaty? #2
• The Treaty of Lisbon enables the EU to:
– deliver results that matter to people across the EU
– face the challenges of globalisation in the fields of security, terrorism, climate change, energy, etc.
European Commission - January 2008
How was the Lisbon Treaty born? #11. Laeken Declaration (December 2001): The European
Council adopts a declaration setting out where the EU needed reform.
2. European Convention and Intergovernmental Conference (2003-2004): The Convention and the IGC sought to address the reform needs by establishing a Constitutional Treaty for Europe.
European Commission - January 2008
How was the Lisbon Treaty born? #23. Reflection period and Plan D (from 2005): Following ratification
difficulties, the aim was to get new ideas on how to make the EU more efficient, democratic and transparent.
4. Berlin Declaration (25 March 2007): Member States agree to reform the EU institutional framework before the European Parliament elections in 2009.
5. Mandate (June 2007): German Presidency prepares the political mandate, agreed at the European Council. It sets up the basis for negotiations on the new treaty.
European Commission - January 2008
How was the Lisbon Treaty born? #36. Signature (13 December 2007): Heads of States sign the
new Treaty in Lisbon, a day after the solemn proclamation of the Charter of Fundamental Rights.
7. Entry into force: The new Treaty should enter into force in early 2009, before the next EP-elections and after ratification in all Member States.
European Commission - January 2008
What will the Treaty change?
• The Treaty will make the European Union:
– More efficient– More democratic– More transparent– More united on the world stage– More secure
European Commission - January 2008
More efficient Europe #1
• The Lisbon Treaty updates the EU’s institutional system so that it can act more swiftly and effectively:
– simplified decision-making– full-time President for the European Council– streamlined European Commission
European Commission - January 2008
More efficient Europe #2
Simplified decision-making
– Qualified majority voting extended to new areas– New voting system - double majority: 55% of Member
States + 65% of population (from 2014/17 onwards)– Greater EU capacity to act in fields such as immigration
and energy
European Commission - January 2008
More efficient Europe #3
Full-time President for the European Council
– Appointed for two and a half years (renewable once)– Chairs and takes forward the work of the European
Council– Contributes to the overall coherence of the Union’s action
European Commission - January 2008
More efficient Europe #4
Streamlined European Commission
• Number of commissioners equals two thirds of the number of Member States (from 2014 onwards)
• Selection of Commissioners to be based on equal rotation, reflecting the demographic and geographical range of the Member States
European Commission - January 2008
More democratic Europe #1
• The Treaty of Lisbon:
– Sets out the EU’s democratic values– Strengthens the rights of citizens and Member States– Participative democracy will complement representative
democracy
European Commission - January 2008
More democratic Europe #2
EU’s democratic values
• The Treaty of Lisbon sets out the EU’s fundamental values : – human dignity– freedom and democracy– equality– rule of law– respect for human rights
European Commission - January 2008
More democratic Europe #3
Rights of citizens and Member States
• The treaty gives the Charter of Fundamental Rights legally binding force and allows for the EU accession to the European Convention of Human Rights
• The treaty makes clear the right of Member States to withdraw from the Union
European Commission - January 2008
More democratic Europe #4
Strengthened participative and representative democracy
• European citizens’ initiative: one million European citizens can invite the Commission to submit a new EU proposal
• Stronger European Parliament, with more legislative and budgetary powers
• Stronger democratic control by national parliaments
European Commission - January 2008
More transparent Europe #1
• The legitimacy of the European project depends on what the EU does and how
• Clear definition of EU powers and responsibilities:– Exclusive competence (e.g. customs union)– Shared competence (e.g. environment) – Complementary action (e.g. education)
European Commission - January 2008
More transparent Europe #2
• Access to information: legislative discussions in the Council of Ministers will be made public, so citizens can follow European decision-making more closely
European Commission - January 2008
More united on the world stage #1
• EU better able to promote its values and speak with a single voice on the world stage:
– High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy – External Action Service– Single legal personality
European Commission - January 2008
More united on the world stage #2
High Representative - External Action Service
– Ensures more coherent and effective action on the world stage
– Chairs the Council of Foreign Ministers and acts as Vice-President of the Commission (three jobs merged into one)
– Supported by a new European External Action Service
European Commission - January 2008
More united on the world stage #3
Single legal personality
– Clarifies the role of the European Union inside as well as with partners worldwide
– Enables the Union to conclude international agreements and join international organizations
European Commission - January 2008
More secure Europe #1
Europe will be made safer through:
– new ‘solidarity clause’– common defence policy– improved EU capacity to combat crime, terrorism, climate
change and to secure energy supply
European Commission - January 2008
More secure Europe #2
Solidarity clause – Common Defence
• The Union and its Members act jointly if they are the target of a terrorist attack or the victim of a disaster
• Common European defence as a goal - new possibilities of closer cooperation in the field of defence among Member States which are able and willing to do so
European Commission - January 2008
More secure Europe #3Crime, terrorism, climate change, energy
The extension of qualified majority voting, the EU’s newobjectives and the solidarity provisions result in more efficientdecision-making and more cooperation in:
– combating terrorism and dealing with criminal gangs – tackling climate change – securing reliable energy supplies
European Commission - January 2008
“With this agreement we turn a page. We move to a new chapter where we go beyond institutional issues and look to the future.”
José Manuel Barroso
European Commission - January 2008
Where can I find more information on the Treaty?• Visit the website: http://europa.eu/lisbon_treaty
(Have your say on Europe’s future or post your question)
• Call the free phone number of the Europe Direct call centre (00800 6 7 8 9 10 11) from anywhere in the EU
• Visit the nearest EU Information Centre (http://ec.europa.eu/europedirect/visit_us/index_en.htm)