Transcript 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
European Commission - January 2008
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.
European Commission - January 2008
How was the Lisbon Treaty born? #1
1.
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.
European Commission - January 2008
How was the Lisbon Treaty born? #2
3.
4.
5.
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.
Berlin Declaration (25 March 2007): Member States agree to reform
the EU institutional framework before the European Parliament
elections in 2009.
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.
European Commission - January 2008
How was the Lisbon Treaty born? #3
6.
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.
European Commission - January 2008
What will the Treaty change?
• The Treaty will make the European Union:
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More efficient
More democratic
More transparent
More united on the world stage
More secure
European Commission - January 2008
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
European Commission - January 2008
More efficient Europe #2
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
European Commission - January 2008
More efficient Europe #3
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
European Commission - January 2008
More efficient Europe #4
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
European Commission - January 2008
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
European Commission - January 2008
More democratic Europe #2
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
European Commission - January 2008
More democratic Europe #3
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
European Commission - January 2008
More democratic Europe #4
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
European Commission - January 2008
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)
European Commission - January 2008
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
European Commission - January 2008
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
European Commission - January 2008
More united on the world stage #2
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
European Commission - January 2008
More united on the world stage #3
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
European Commission - January 2008
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
European Commission - January 2008
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
European Commission - January 2008
More secure Europe #3
Crime, terrorism, climate change, energy
The extension of qualified majority voting, the EU’s new
objectives and the solidarity provisions result in more efficient
decision-making and more cooperation in:
– combating terrorism and dealing with criminal gangs
– tackling climate change
– securing reliable energy supplies
European Commission - January 2008
“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
European Commission - January 2008
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