Taking Europe into the 21st century

The Treaty signed by the Heads of State or Government of the 27 Member States in Lisbon on 13 December 2007 will provide the EU with modern institutions and optimised working methods to tackle both efficiently and effectively today's challenges in today's world. In a rapidly changing world, Europeans look to the EU to address issues such as globalisation, climatic and demographic changes, security and energy. The Treaty of Lisbon will reinforce democracy in the EU and its capacity to promote the interests of its citizens on a day-to-day basis. More ››

What’s new?

• 20/11/2009 - EU fills new top jobs

  European leaders select Belgian premier to be the EU’s first permanent president. EU trade commissioner Catherine Ashton from the UK lands the foreign policy spot.

• 13/11/2009 - Treaty of Lisbon ready to enter into force

  The last formal step for the Treaty of Lisbon to take effect has been completed, as the Czech Republic deposited its instruments of ratification in Rome. This clears the way for the Treaty to enter into force on 1 December 2009. An extraordinary informal summit will take place on 19 November in order to fill top EU posts created under the Treaty, namely the President of the European Council and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

• 11/11/2009 - Public asked to help design new citizens’ initiative

  Europeans will soon have a new way of getting the commission to act on issues that concern them. But how will the new citizens’ initiative work in practice?

• 04/11/2009 - Final piece of the puzzle in place

  With the signature by Czech President Vaclav Klaus, the Treaty of Lisbon has now been approved by all EU countries. The Czech instruments of ratification will be transferred to Italy, the country administering them. If this is done in November, the Treaty will enter into force on 1 December. The Swedish presidency may call for an EU summit in order to prepare the implementation of the Treaty.