Lisbon Treaty entered into force

On Tuesday, December 1, 2009, the Lisbon Treaty on reform of the EU came into force. “Treaty of Lisbon puts citizens at the center of the European project” – said European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso. “I am delighted that we now have the institutions necessary for the action, and a period of stability so that we can focus all our energies on achieving the key objectives for our citizens,” – he stressed.

Among these tasks, Jose Manuel Barroso called a smooth transition from the economic crisis and strengthening the European social policy, the fight against global warming and the creation by 2020 of “new green economy, and the increased European foreign policy to strengthen the EU’s role in the international arena and the ability of all countries of the Community “speak with one voice.” The statement of the European Commission stresses that the Lisbon Treaty will close the institutional debate for the foreseeable future.

Entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty marks the end of the institutional crisis that began more than four years ago after the failure of the European constitution in referendums in France and the Netherlands. Sam became the successor of the Lisbon Treaty EU Constitution, inherited from her the whole content of the reform of the governance structure for the community.

The agreement creates the conditions for further EU integration, simplifies the decision-making mechanisms within the EU, the first time in the history of community creates a full-fledged single European diplomatic service, expands the powers of the European Parliament. The Treaty also introduced the post of EU president, who was the former Prime Minister of Belgium Herman Van Rompuy. He will become the “face” of the European Union on the international arena, as well as preside over the European summits and prepare compromises on major issues of European Agenda. The most important element of the contract was the provision of the charter of fundamental rights of European citizens and void along with current major EU treaties, though not without some reservations, exceptions and clarifications made by countries such as Britain, Ireland and the Czech Republic.

The Lisbon Treaty also opens the way for further EU enlargement. In this direction, the first in the queue are the Balkan states of the Balkans, for them – more controversial candidate, Turkey.

Brussels welcomes the entry into force of the new basic treaty of the European Union casually, in working order. This is not surprising, since all European leadership is in Beijing for China-EU summit. The ceremony in connection with the entry into force of the new treaty will take place in Lisbon, where the agreement was signed during the Portuguese presidency of the EU in late 2007. The ceremony was jointly organized by the Portuguese Presidency of the EU before the end of 2009 Sweden and the European Commission, ITAR-TASS.

The Lisbon Treaty – an international treaty signed at the EU summit on Dec. 13, 2007 in the capital of Portugal. It was created to replace the EU constitution, to which it was not possible.

The agreement amends the existing Agreement on the European Union – the Treaty establishing the European Community (Treaty of Rome, 1957), the Maastricht Treaty in 1992 and the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, 1957 to reform the management system of the EU. It simplifies the system of collective management bodies of the European Union, the principles and procedures of their work, making their work more understandable and transparent.

Thus, the composition of the European Commission – “government” of the European Union – is reduced by one third, introduced the post of “president” of the EU (Presidency of the European Council) and Head of European Foreign Minister ( “the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy”). According to the agreement the EU acquires legal personality – that is entitled to be party to international treaties in all areas of its competence. Member States of the Union to conclude international treaties, provided that they are not contrary to agreements the EU, and not within the purview of the EU.

European Council – Club of Heads of State of Union – becomes a full EU institution, it also includes the EU Presidency and European Commission president. Chairman of the Council of Europe, which in the press for simplicity and sonority called EU president will be elected for 2,5 years, renewable for a second term.

It creates a full-fledged foreign policy department of the EU. His head – the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy – automatically also becomes deputy chairman of the European Commission.

Expanded powers of the European Parliament – he was on par with the Council of Europe will be in charge of law Union and its budget. The European Parliament also gets the right to elect the chairman of the European Commission (now he only approves the candidate nominated by the Governments of member countries). Members of Parliament can be no more than 751, except the chairman, the distribution of seats is on a “declining proportionality”: a minimum of 6 representatives from the state, maximum – 96. Such a system will work not just after the treaty enters into force, and in 2014.

Treaty of Lisbon will provide the EU institutions and optimized modern management techniques to efficiently and effectively to cope with current challenges in the modern world “- so says the official web site on the agreement. The need for such a treaty in Brussels due to the difficulty facing the countries of the continent’s challenges – demographic, climate, energy, security – that the strength to handle only a truly united Europe. Experts say that the European Union’s role on the world stage as a result of increase, and a united Europe will in future play in world politics is not a lesser role than the United States.