European Commission - January 2008 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


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.


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.


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.


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.


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


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



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



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



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


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



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



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



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


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)


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


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



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



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


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


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


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


“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


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)

European Commission - January 2008 European Commission – January 2008.

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Transcript of European Commission - January 2008 European Commission – January 2008.