Treaty of Lisbon (2007)

Treaty of Lisbon (2007) was signed by the European Council on December 13, 2007, at the Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon, Portugal, in the presence of Portuguese President Aníbal Cavaco Silva, European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, and European Parliament President Hans-Gert Pöttering. The treaty aimed to reform the European Union's institutions and decision-making processes, following the rejection of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe by France and the Netherlands in 2005. This led to a period of reflection, during which the European Council and the European Commission worked closely with the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union to draft a new treaty. The Treaty of Lisbon (2007) built upon the Schengen Agreement, the Maastricht Treaty, and the Treaty of Nice.

Introduction

The Treaty of Lisbon (2007) introduced significant changes to the European Union's institutions and policies, with the aim of increasing its efficiency and democratic legitimacy. The treaty was negotiated by the German Presidency of the Council of the European Union and was signed by the Heads of State or Government of the European Union in December 2007. The European Commission played a key role in the negotiation process, with Commission President José Manuel Barroso working closely with the European Council and the European Parliament. The treaty's provisions were influenced by the Laeken Declaration, the Convention on the Future of Europe, and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

Background

The background to the Treaty of Lisbon (2007) was marked by a period of significant change and expansion in the European Union. The European Union had undergone several rounds of enlargement, including the accession of Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Hungary in 2004. The European Union had also established the Schengen Area, which allowed for the free movement of people between Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden. The Treaty of Lisbon (2007) built upon these developments, with the aim of creating a more cohesive and effective European Union. The treaty was also influenced by the European Convention, which was established by the Lakeen Declaration and was chaired by Valéry Giscard d'Estaing.

Provisions

The Treaty of Lisbon (2007) introduced several key provisions, including the creation of a President of the European Council and a High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The treaty also established the European External Action Service, which was headed by the High Representative and was responsible for implementing the European Union's foreign and security policy. The treaty also introduced changes to the European Union's decision-making processes, including the extension of qualified majority voting in the Council of the European Union and the increase in the European Parliament's powers. The treaty's provisions were influenced by the Treaty of Rome, the Single European Act, and the Maastricht Treaty. The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union was also incorporated into the treaty, which provided a framework for the protection of human rights in the European Union.

Ratification

The ratification process for the Treaty of Lisbon (2007) was completed in 2009, after the treaty had been approved by all 27 Member States of the European Union. The treaty was ratified by Parliament of the United Kingdom, the Bundestag, the Assemblée nationale, and the Dáil Éireann, among others. The Irish people initially rejected the treaty in a referendum held in 2008, but later approved it in a second referendum held in 2009. The Czech Republic also experienced difficulties in ratifying the treaty, due to opposition from President of the Czech Republic Václav Klaus. The European Court of Justice played a key role in the ratification process, providing guidance on the treaty's provisions and their implications for the European Union's institutions and policies.

Implementation

The implementation of the Treaty of Lisbon (2007) began on December 1, 2009, when the treaty entered into force. The European Union's institutions and policies were reformed in accordance with the treaty's provisions, with the aim of increasing the European Union's efficiency and democratic legitimacy. The European Commission played a key role in the implementation process, working closely with the European Council and the European Parliament to ensure a smooth transition. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, was appointed to head the European External Action Service, which was established by the treaty. The European Union also established the European Defence Agency, which was responsible for implementing the European Union's defense policy.

Impact

The impact of the Treaty of Lisbon (2007) has been significant, with the treaty introducing major reforms to the European Union's institutions and policies. The treaty has increased the European Union's efficiency and democratic legitimacy, with the European Parliament playing a more prominent role in the European Union's decision-making processes. The treaty has also enhanced the European Union's ability to act on the global stage, with the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy playing a key role in representing the European Union's interests abroad. The European Union has also become a more cohesive and effective actor in international affairs, with the Treaty of Lisbon (2007) providing a framework for the European Union's external action. The treaty's impact has been felt in areas such as climate change, trade policy, and development cooperation, with the European Union playing a leading role in international efforts to address these issues. The Treaty of Lisbon (2007) has also influenced the development of the European Union's relationships with other regions and countries, including the United States, China, and India.

Category:European Union