On 13 December 2007, EU leaders signed the
Treaty of Lisbon, thus bringing to an end several years of negotiation about
institutional issues.
The Treaty of Lisbon amends the current EU
and EC treaties, without replacing them. It will provide the Union with the
legal framework and tools necessary to meet future challenges and to respond to
citizens' demands.
- A more democratic and
transparent Europe, with a strengthened role for the European
Parliament and national parliaments, more opportunities for citizens to
have their voices heard and a clearer sense of who does what
at European and national level.
- A strengthened role for the
European Parliament: the European Parliament, directly elected by EU
citizens, will see important new powers emerge over the EU legislation,
the EU budget and international agreements. In particular, the increase
of co-decision procedure in policy-making will ensure the European
Parliament is placed on an equal footing with the Council, representing
Member States, for the vast bulk of EU legislation.
- A greater involvement of
national parliaments: national parliaments will have greater
opportunities to be involved in the work of the EU, in particular thanks
to a new mechanism to monitor that the Union only acts where results can
be better attained at EU level (subsidiarity). Together with the
strengthened role for the European Parliament, it will enhance democracy
and increase legitimacy in the functioning of the Union.
- A stronger voice for citizens:
thanks to the Citizens' Initiative, one million citizens from a number of
Member States will have the possibility to call on the Commission to
bring forward new policy proposals.
- Who does what: the
relationship between the Member States and the European Union will become
clearer with the categorisation of competences.
- Withdrawal from the Union: the
Treaty of Lisbon explicitly recognises for the first time the possibility
for a Member State to withdraw from the Union.
- A more efficient Europe, with simplified working
methods and voting rules, streamlined and modern institutions for a EU of
27 members and an improved ability to act in areas of major priority for
today's Union.
- Effective and efficient
decision-making: qualified majority voting in the Council will be
extended to new policy areas to make decision-making faster and more
efficient. From 2014 on, the calculation of qualified majority will be
based on the double majority of Member States and people, thus
representing the dual legitimacy of the Union.A double majority will be
achieved when a decision is taken by 55% of the Member States
representing at least 65% of the Union’s population.
- A more stable and streamlined
institutional framework: the Treaty of Lisbon creates the function of
President of the European Council elected for two and a half years,
introduces a direct link between the election of the Commission President
and the results of the European elections, provides for new arrangements
for the future composition of the European Parliament and for a smaller
Commission, and includes clearer rules on enhanced cooperation and
financial provisions.
- Improving the life of
Europeans: the Treaty of Lisbon improves the EU's ability to act in
several policy areas of major priority for today's Union and its
citizens. This is the case in particular for the policy areas of freedom,
security and justice, such as combating terrorism or tackling crime. It
also concerns to some extent other areas including energy policy, public
health, civil protection, climate change, services of general interest,
research, space, territorial cohesion, commercial policy, humanitarian
aid, sport, tourism and administrative cooperation.
- A Europe of rights and values,
freedom, solidarity and security, promoting the Union's values,
introducing the Charter of Fundamental Rights into European primary law,
providing for new solidarity mechanisms and ensuring better protection of
European citizens.
- Democratic values: the Treaty
of Lisbon details and reinforces the values and objectives on which the
Union is built. These values aim to serve as a reference point for
European citizens and to demonstrate what Europe has to offer its
partners worldwide.
- Citizens' rights and Charter
of Fundamental Rights: the Treaty of Lisbon preserves existing rights
while introducing new ones. In particular, it guarantees the freedoms and
principles set out in the Charter of Fundamental Rights and gives its
provisions a binding legal force. It concerns civil, political, economic
and social rights.
- Freedom of European citizens:
the Treaty of Lisbon preserves and reinforces the "four
freedoms" and the political, economic and social freedom of European
citizens.
- Solidarity between Member
States: the Treaty of Lisbon provides that the Union and its Member
States act jointly in a spirit of solidarity if a Member State is the
subject of a terrorist attack or the victim of a natural or man-made
disaster. Solidarity in the area of energy is also emphasised.
- Increased security for all:
the Union will get an extended capacity to act on freedom, security and
justice, which will bring direct benefits in terms of the Union's ability
to fight crime and terrorism. New provisions on civil protection,
humanitarian aid and public health also aim at boosting the Union's
ability to respond to threats to the security of European citizens.
- Europe as an actor on the
global stage will be achieved by bringing together Europe's
external policy tools, both when developing and deciding new policies. The
Treaty of Lisbon will give Europe a clear voice in relations with its
partners worldwide. It will harness Europe's economic, humanitarian,
political and diplomatic strengths to promote European interests and
values worldwide, while respecting the particular interests of the Member
States in Foreign Affairs.
- A new High Representative for
the Union in Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, also
Vice-President of the Commission, will increase the impact, the coherence
and the visibility of the EU's external action.
- A new European External Action
Service will provide back up and support to the High Representative.
- A single legal personality for
the Union will strengthen the Union's negotiating power, making it more
effective on the world stage and a more visible partner for third
countries and international organisations.
- Progress in European Security
and Defence Policy will preserve special decision-making arrangements but
also pave the way towards reinforced cooperation amongst a smaller group
of Member States.