Sommaire: 19 October 2007, Brussels - EU heads of state and government agreed on a new reform treaty for Europe, which will enhance the efficiency and democratic legitimacy of the enlarged Union. They reached an agreement at their informal meeting in the Portuguese capital on 18-19 October.
After months of intensive work, the text of the EU reform treaty has been finalised at the informal Lisbon summit held this week.
"This is a European victory", announced Portuguese PM and European Council president José Sócrates, adding that "from today, Europe can look ahead confidently into its future."
European Commission President Barroso described it as an instrument to deliver policies for the 21st century. The reform treaty introduces several changes to the way in which the EU functions.
The reform treaty makes decision-making more efficient, increases democratic control and enhances the external coherence of the Union.
"We need the reform treaty to give our citizens a strong Europe with an enhanced capacity to act," explained President Barroso.
It allows the Union to take new initiatives on climate change and energy policy. The charter of fundamental rights will be legally binding, and for the first time, the public will have the right to request that the Union proposes legislation on a specific area. The role of national parliaments and the European parliament will be strengthened.
Other changes include the new position of a president of the European council and a high representative / vice president of the commission - enabling the Union to speak on external affairs with one clear voice.
"We have spent six years discussing institutional architecture. It is time to move on", said Mr Barroso, describing the text as the best deal on offer.
The informal summit also discussed Europe's response to globalisation. President Barroso concentrated on two specific issues: turbulence on the financial markets and climate change.
The Lisbon growth and jobs strategy is working, "But we can still do more. For example: boosting innovation; moving towards flexicurity in labour markets and delivering on energy targets," said Mr Barroso.
The agreement on the Treaty of Lisbon puts an end to the institutional uncertainty the EU has experienced over the last two years. 27 member states have shown their cohesion and determination to find an effective institutional solution. The reform treaty, a product of the intergovernmental conference (IGC), allows the EU to focus its efforts more efficiently on questions that directly affect and concern the citizens.
The new treaty will be signed on 13 December in Lisbon. Member states will then have time to ratify the treaty before the European Parliament elections in June 2009, with a target date of 1 January 2009 for its entry into force.
For details, please see: Draft Reform Treaty documents.
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