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European Commission - January 2008 European Commission – January 2008.

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Presentation on theme: "European Commission - January 2008 European Commission – January 2008."— Presentation transcript:

1 European Commission - January 2008 European Commission – January 2008

2 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

3 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.

4 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.

5 European Commission - January 2008 How was the Lisbon Treaty born? #2 3.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. 4.Berlin Declaration (25 March 2007): Member States agree to reform the EU institutional framework before the European Parliament elections in 2009. 5.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.

6 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.

7 European Commission - January 2008 What will the Treaty change? The Treaty will make the European Union: –More efficient –More democratic –More transparent –More united on the world stage –More secure

8 European Commission - January 2008 More efficient Europe #1 The Lisbon Treaty updates the EUs institutional system so that it can act more swiftly and effectively: –simplified decision-making –full-time President for the European Council –streamlined European Commission

9 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

10 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 Unions action

11 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

12 European Commission - January 2008 More democratic Europe #1 The Treaty of Lisbon: –Sets out the EUs democratic values –Strengthens the rights of citizens and Member States –Participative democracy will complement representative democracy

13 European Commission - January 2008 More democratic Europe #2 EUs democratic values The Treaty of Lisbon sets out the EUs fundamental values : –human dignity –freedom and democracy –equality –rule of law –respect for human rights

14 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

15 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

16 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)

17 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

18 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

19 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

20 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

21 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

22 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

23 European Commission - January 2008 More secure Europe #3 Crime, terrorism, climate change, energy The extension of qualified majority voting, the EUs 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

24 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

25 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 Europes 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)


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