Sound The Trumpet : EU Lisbon Treaty Comes Into Force

Must Listen

Must Read

What Art Thinks

Pre-Millennialism

Today's Headlines

Sorry... Not Available

Locally Contributed...

Audio

Video

Special Interest

Daily News

8741

“EU Lisbon Treaty Comes Into Force”
by BBC News
December 1st, 2009

The EU's Lisbon Treaty has come into force, marking what Sweden's prime minister describes as a "new era" for the 27-nation bloc.

Fredrik Reinfeldt, who is steering the EU presidency, says the treaty makes the EU "more open and more democratic".

His message on the presidency website comes ahead of EU celebrations in the Portuguese capital on Tuesday, with fireworks, music and leaders' speeches.

Critics say the treaty will cede too many national powers to Brussels.

Institutional changes are now under way following ratification of the treaty by all 27 member states.

Lisbon has come into force about eight years after the EU started negotiations on the institutional reforms.

Belgium's Herman Van Rompuy is the EU's first permanent president

The treaty is designed to streamline decision-making and give the EU greater influence in world affairs.

It creates two new posts - President of the European Council and a High Representative for Foreign Affairs.

The BBC's Jonny Dymond, in Brussels, says the introduction of the treaty may appear low-key but the way decisions are made in the EU will change.

Foreign affairs supremo

It overcame its final hurdle when the Czech Republic became the last of the member states to ratify it last month.

EU leaders later chose Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy to be the first permanent European Council President.

The job of foreign affairs supremo went to the EU Trade Commissioner, Baroness Ashton from the UK.

She takes over from EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, who is leaving his post after 10 years in the role.

As High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Lady Ashton will command a more powerful position with a new, and eventually vast, European diplomatic service.

One of the treaty's key areas is the removal of national vetoes in a number of areas. These include the fight against climate change, energy security and emergency aid.

Unanimity will still be needed in tax, foreign policy, defence and social security.

Mr Reinfeldt said that "in the future, when we make decisions concerning citizens' freedom, security and justice, our main principle will be to make them together with the European Parliament".

The treaty makes the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights legally binding for EU institutions and, according to Mr Reinfeldt, "we make clear equality between men and women and protection of children's rights within all policy areas".

Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13