The Presidency Conclusions of the Brussels European Council

1. The meeting of the European Council was preceded by an exposé by the President of the European Parliament, Mr Hans-Gert Pöttering, followed by an exchange of views.

2. The European Council also held an exchange of views with Mr Ernest-Antoine Seillière, President of BusinessEurope and Mrs Maria Helena André, Deputy Secretary-General of ETUC, in the presence of the President of the European Parliament.

3. The European Council welcomes the agreement reached at the IGC on 18 October 2007 and the subsequent signing of the Treaty of Lisbon on 13 December, as well as the proclamation of the Charter of Fundamental Rights on 12 December 2007. It calls for a swift completion of national ratification processes with a view to allowing entry into force of the Treaty on 1 January 2009.

4. The European Council will take stock of progress on necessary preparatory work when appropriate so as to ensure the full functioning of the Treaty as soon as it enters into force. It underlines the comprehensive nature of this exercise and the consequent need for a single framework as well as political guidance at the highest level. Technical work will start in Brussels in January on the basis of a work programme which will be presented under the authority of the incoming President of the European Council.

5. In accordance with Declaration n° 5 annexed to the Final Act of the Intergovernmental Conference, the European Council gives its political agreement on the draft Decision establishing the composition of the European Parliament which the European Parliament politically approved on 11 October 2007, as revised in accordance with Declaration n° 4 annexed to the Final Act.

Accordingly, the wording of whereas clauses n° 2 and 3 of the draft Decision will be adapted to reflect the wording in Article 9 A(2) of the EU Treaty as amended by the Lisbon Treaty and in the table contained in Article 2, the figure relating to Italy will be "73". This Decision will be adopted as soon as possible after the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, in accordance with the procedure laid down in the second subparagraph of Article 9 A(2) of the EU Treaty as amended by the Lisbon Treaty. The European Council invites the Member States to adopt the necessary domestic measures as soon as possible so that, when this Decision comes into force, the national legislation necessary for its implementation is in place in time for the European Parliament elections for the 2009 2014 parliamentary term.

The Lisbon Treaty provides the Union with a stable and lasting institutional framework. We expect no change in the foreseeable future, so that the Union will be able to fully concentrate on addressing the concrete challenges ahead, including globalisation and climate change, as clearly underlined at the 19 October 2007 informal meeting of Heads of State or Government in Lisbon on the basis of the Commission's Communication "The European Interest: Succeeding in the age of globalisation". In this context the European Council adopts a Declaration on Globalisation (see Annex).

6. The European Council takes note of the communication from the Commission on the Enlargement Strategy and endorses the General Affairs and External Relations Council conclusions of 10 December.

Reflection Group horizon 2020-2030

7. In order to help the Union anticipate and meet challenges more effectively in the longer term (horizon 2020 - 2030), the European Council establishes an independent Reflection Group. Taking as its starting point the challenges set out in the Berlin Declaration of 25 March 2007, the Group is invited to identify the key issues and developments which the Union is likely to face and to analyse how these might be addressed. This includes, inter alia: strengthening and modernising the European model of economic success and social responsibility, enhancing the competitiveness of the EU, the rule of law, sustainable development as a fundamental objective of the European Union, global stability, migration, energy and climate protection, and the fight against global insecurity, international crime and terrorism. Particular attention should be given to ways of better reaching out to citizens and addressing their expectations and needs.

8. The Group shall conduct its reflections within the framework set out in the Lisbon Treaty. It shall therefore not discuss institutional matters. Nor, in view of its long term nature, should its analysis constitute a review of current policies or address the Union's next financial framework.

9. In its work, the Reflection Group will need to take into account likely developments within and outside Europe and examine in particular how the stability and prosperity of both the Union and of the wider region might best be served in the longer term.

10. The Group will be chaired by Mr Felipe González Márquez, assisted by two Vice-Chairs, Mrs Vaira Viķe-Freiberga and Mr Jorma Ollila, and will include no more than 9 members selected from across the Union on the basis of merit. The Chairman and the Vice-Chairs are invited to submit a list of names to be considered by the European Council during the French Presidency.

11. The Group will consult as it deems appropriate and be responsible for the organisation of its own work.

12. The Group shall present its report to the European Council meeting of June 2010.

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• "Debate on the European Council - 2007: The Twin-Track Approach in Action" - Speech by European Commission President Barroso (18/12/2007)
• European Council Conclusions on Economic, Social and Environmental Issues (14/12/2007)
• European Council Conclusions on External Relations  (14/12/2007)
• European Council Conclusions on Freedom, Security and Justice (14/12/2007)
• La Commission européenne se félicite de la signature du traité de Lisbonne et souhaite sa ratification rapide (13/12/2007)
• "Traité de Lisbonne: un traité pour une Europe du 21e siècle" - José Manuel Durão Barroso, Président de la Commission européenne (13/12/2007)
• European Commission welcomes signature of the Treaty of Lisbon and calls for its swift ratification. (13/12/2007)