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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.

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.

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?

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.

At the Brussels European Council, EU leaders agreed to offer the Czech Republic an opt-out from the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights, the same exemption that was granted to Poland and the United Kingdom. The Czech Constitutional Court has declared the Treaty consistent with the constitution and President Vaclav Klaus has signed it. As a result, the Treaty could enter into force in December at the earliest.

Mary McAleese, the Irish President, signed the Treaty of Lisbon on 16 October, two weeks after the Irish citizens approved it in the referendum. Following the deposit of the ratification document in Rome, the Irish ratification procedure is now completed. The Treaty has to be ratified by all Member States to enter into force. Currently, 26 Member States have already ratified the Treaty. This leaves the Czech Republic as the only country where ratification is still pending.

At a ceremony in Warsaw, Lech Kaczynski, the Polish President, ratified the Treaty in the presence of Council President Fredrik Reinfeldt, Commission President José Manuel Barroso and Jerzy Buzek, the President of the European Parliament. Now only the signature of the President of the Czech Republic is missing for the Treaty to enter into force.

Irish citizens have voted “yes” on the Treaty of Lisbon. The second referendum returned a positive result with the majority voting in favour of the text. Ratification will be completed with the signature of the Treaty by president McAleese. So far, all Member States have approved the Treaty and 24 have completed the entire Treaty ratification process.

On 2 October Ireland will hold its second referendum on the Treaty of Lisbon. You can follow the results of the referendum as they become available on the Referendum Returning Officer's Website.

President Köhler signed the laws needed to finalise the ratification process, as well as the ratification Act itself. This closes the ratification procedure for the Treaty in Germany. Currently, 26 Member States have already approved the Treaty and 24 have deposited their ratification instruments in Rome.

The German Bundesrat unanimously adopted the new legislation that allows Germany to fully ratify the Treaty of Lisbon. The next and final step will be the signature of the Ratification Act by President Köhler.

The German Bundestag passed 4 internal laws on parliamentary oversight in EU affairs. The legislation was adopted with 446 votes in favour, 46 against and two abstentions. The next step is the vote by the Bundesrat, scheduled for 18 September. The ratification will be completed with the signature of President Köhler.

An easy-to-read leaflet on the Treaty of Lisbon has just been published. Its main purpose is to explain how the Treaty will affect each and every citizen. In particular, it explains key provisions of the Treaty, such as the new decision-making procedure, the changes to the EU institutions or the EU’s role in the world.

Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen has announced 2 October as the official date for a second Irish referendum on the Treaty of Lisbon. In addition, the Irish government launched a white paper explaining the changes the Treaty will bring to the functioning of the EU and spelling out the legally binding guarantees and assurances secured by Ireland. This should make the Treaty clearer and easier to understand for the Irish.

Sweden takes over the rotating six-month Presidency of the Council of the EU with the Treaty of Lisbon, economic recovery and climate change on its agenda.

Germany’s Constitutional Court confirmed the compatibility of the Treaty of Lisbon with the German constitution. Nevertheless, the Court also declared that the final step of the ratification procedure shall be suspended until the accompanying German law on parliamentary rights of participation has been adapted. This legislation shall be discussed and voted upon by the Bundestag and Bundesrat in autumn.

At the June Brussels summit, EU leaders granted Ireland legal guarantees in the areas of taxation, military neutrality and abortion. These guarantees are foreseen to reassure Irish national sovereignty in these domains. This will pave the way for Ireland to hold a second referendum on the Treaty in the autumn.

Challenges ahead: financial and economic crisis, the Lisbon treaty and climate change.

With 54 Senators in favour out of a total of 79 present, the Czech Republic’s upper house of parliament has approved the Treaty of Lisbon. For the ratification process to be completed, President Klaus still has to sign the Treaty. Twenty-six member countries have approved the Treaty to date.

The lower house of the Czech Parliament has approved the Treaty, with 125 votes in favour and 61 against. The ratification process will only be completed once the Senate has given its approval and President Klaus has signed it. Discussions at the Senate are scheduled to take place in April.

The Czech Republic took over the rotating presidency of the European Union for the next six months. The Czech Republic is the only country that still needs to vote on the Treaty, which it is expected to do in the coming months. 23 Member States have completed the entire Treaty ratification process so far.

At the Brussels summit, EU ministers discussed the new roadmap for the Treaty of Lisbon. It was agreed that, once the Treaty enters into force, a decision will be taken to allow each EU country to nominate a member of the European Commission. Furthermore, the Irish government has committed itself to organizing a new referendum before next November in exchange for guarantees from its partners.

The Czech Constitutional Court has given a positive verdict on the compatibility of the Treaty of Lisbon with the Czech constitutional order. This paves the way for the ratification process to continue. The Czech Republic will take over the rotating Presidency of the EU Council on 1 January 2009.

Sweden has approved the Treaty of Lisbon following a consultation period with national authorities and civil society organisations. The final green light was given by the Riksdag, the body responsible to pass laws in Sweden. Sweden will hold the six-month rotating Presidency of the EU Council in the second semester of 2009. Twenty-five Member States have now approved the Treaty.

The Irish prime minister presented his analysis of the Irish referendum on the Treaty. The Council agreed to review the issue in December in order to define the elements of a solution, as well as the approach to take in 2009.

Irish Prime Minister, Brian Cowen and President of the European Council, Nicolas Sarkozy, discussed the situation with regard to the Treaty of Lisbon, in view of the upcoming European Council. Mr Cowen said he would use the occasion to present the survey commissioned by the Irish government analysing the results of the referendum and the conclusions he has drawn from it.

With the ‘yes’ vote in the Italian Parliament, another country has given its approval to the Treaty of Lisbon. More than 50 years ago (in 1957), Rome hosted the signing ceremony for another famous document, the Treaty of Rome, a landmark agreement and the foundation of the EU.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy and the Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen exchanged views on the Treaty of Lisbon and the recent referendum held in Ireland.

Spain has become the latest country to give its approval to the Treaty of Lisbon. Spanish MPs voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Treaty in June, with 322 voting for the Treaty, and only 6 against. The country’s senators have now also given their green light.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy addresses European Parliament in Strasbourg

Belgium, one of the six EU founding countries, has completed the parliamentary ratification process of the Lisbon Treaty. This new vote brings to 22 the number of Member States which have now approved the treaty.

A survey examines the Irish referendum on the Treaty of Lisbon

After the nationwide referendum on the Treaty held in Ireland on 12 June 2008, a survey was conducted to understand the reasons for the “yes” or “no” votes as well as non-participation in the referendum. Similar surveys were carried out in the past in other countries.

With ‘yes’ votes in its two chambers, the Dutch Parliament has now approved the Treaty of Lisbon. The Netherlands, which hosted the ceremony marking the signature of the Treaty on European Union at Maastricht in 1992, has thus reasserted its European vocation.

Cyprus - one of the ten countries to join the EU in 2004 – has given its green light to the Treaty of Lisbon. “The enlarged and reformed European Union that emerges from this treaty will give us all a new economic, political and strategic dimension. And this dimension will make each and every Member State stronger” said recently Commission’s President Barroso.

Ireland’s rejection of the Lisbon treaty presents France with new challenge as it takes charge of EU affairs

The European Council held extensive discussions on the outcome of the Irish referendum rejecting the Treaty of Lisbon. EU leaders decided to pursue ratification in countries where the Treaty has not yet been approved and to revisit the subject at their summit in October. So far, 19 countries have approved the Treaty.

After a vote in the House of Lords, the UK parliament has now given its formal seal of approval to the Treaty of Lisbon. This follows the text’s adoption by the House of Commons, the other chamber in the UK parliament, which voted on the text in March.

Statement by European Parliament President Pöttering
Statement by European Council President Janša
Statement by Commission President Barroso
Extracts from press briefing

Another country – Estonia – has given its green light to the new Treaty, in a parliamentary vote. Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet recently explained how the goal of the Treaty of Lisbon is to increase the effectiveness of the European Union’s decision-making process, adding that “the Union will become more uniform and will certainly be closer to its citizens”.

Finland’s Parliament has now approved the Treaty of Lisbon. The text, according to Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, “will almost fully implement the reforms that Finland considers important”, enabling the EU "to evolve towards a Union with better capabilities to act internationally and with more effective decision-making procedures”.

Greece has confirmed its support for the Treaty, with the members of its single-chamber Parliament approving the text. This positive vote represents another important step towards having a new Treaty in force by 1 January 2009.

The Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg’s Chamber of Deputies today approved the Treaty. The country has a longstanding European vocation, being one of the six EU founding countries together with Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Belgium.

With the German Parliament’s yes vote, another EU country has confirmed its support for the new Treaty. “The Treaty would be both ’good for Europe’ and a ‘win for Germany’," said German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Ms Merkel has been recently awarded the Charlemagne price in tribute to her outstanding contribution to overcoming the crisis of the EU. She played a leading role in getting EU leaders to agree on the draft text of the Treaty during Germany's six-month EU presidency last year.

A consolidated text of the EU's two core treaties - the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty establishing the European Community (renamed the Treaty on the functioning of the European Union) - as modified by the Treaty of Lisbon is now available in the printed version of the Official Journal of the EU.

Lithuania’s approval of the Treaty of Lisbon marks a further step forward in the ratification of the text. Together with the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia, the country recently became a full member of the so-called Schengen area introducing freedom of movement and the abolition of internal border controls for nationals of all countries that signed the Schengen agreement.

With Latvia’s Parliament voting ‘yes’ to the text, another country has now adopted the new EU Treaty. Addressing Latvian parliamentarians, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins had recently noted that the adoption of the Treaty will increase the efficiency of the functioning of EU institutions and, for the first time in the history of the EU, citizens can call on the Commission to bring forward new policy proposals.

Ireland has embarked on its ratification process of the Treaty of Lisbon with a ‘yes’ vote in the Parliament. The measure will now be submitted to the Irish people, who will be asked to vote either for or against the new Treaty in a referendum on 12 June.

Denmark has given its green light to the new Treaty, taking to 10 the number of countries having already approved the text. Denmark entered the EU in the historic first enlargement of 1973, together with Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Following the positive vote of both the Lower and Upper Chambers of the Parliament, Austria confirmed its support to the new Treaty. The majority of the members of the Parliament welcomed the progress brought about by the Treaty, which will improve the running of the European Union and make it more democratic.

The country that hosted the signing of the Treaty of Lisbon by the 27 EU countries on December 13 has officially signalled its approval of the document. Bringing about agreement over a new reform treaty for Europe has been Portugal’s top priority from July 2007, when the country began its six months at the EU helm.

Speaking in Dublin to the Irish national forum on Europe during his visit to Ireland, Commission President Barroso highlighted three main reasons why Europe needs the Treaty of Lisbon: to make Europe more efficient, render it more democratic and transparent and give it a stronger voice in the wider world.
Extracts from the address to the national forum on Europe [4'38"]

A consolidated text of the EU's two core treaties - the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty establishing the European Community (renamed the Treaty on the functioning of the European Union) - as modified by the Treaty of Lisbon is now available online. By 9 May it will also be published on paper version in the Official Journal of the EU.

Another EU country has welcomed the Treaty, with the Slovakian Parliament approving the text today. Slovakia, one of the 10 countries to join the EU in 2004, has a single-chamber parliament composed of 150 members elected for four-year terms.

In a two day visit to Dublin, Parliament's President Hans-Gert Pöttering has made the case for a "Yes" vote in the forthcoming Irish referendum on the reform treaty. However, in a speech to the Irish Senate - the Seanad - he stressed that "it is a decision only the Irish voters can make". He also thanked Ireland for its contribution to European unity. During the visit he met with Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, President Mary McAleese and leaders of the Republic's main political parties.

Addressing a group of College of Europe students in Bruges, Belgium, EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner has outlined her top priorities for the upcoming months. Preparing for the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty and the changes it will introduce in the field of external relations will be one of the main challenges.

Addressing the Irish Institute of European Affairs, Commission Vice-President Margot Wallström called upon the Irish people to vote on the basis of facts and knowledge on the Treaty in view of the referendum to be held in June.

Poland, the largest of the 10 countries to join the EU in 2004, has said yes to the Treaty. “This is the first Treaty of an enlarged Union. For the first time, countries that once belonged to two different 'Europes' are united in support of a common Treaty which they negotiated and signed together,” said Commission President Barroso recently.

A recent survey reveals that Europeans are increasingly aware of the importance of protecting the environment and prefer policy decisions on it to be made at EU level. The Treaty of Lisbon will meet citizens' expectations and ensure high environmental standards both inside and outside the Union, by setting the protection of the environment and sustainable development as two key EU objectives.

With the Bulgarian Parliament voting in favour of the Treaty, the EU has taken another step forward towards swift and successful ratification of the text. Bulgaria joined the Union in January 2007, together with Romania, which already endorsed the document on February 4 this year.

The Parliament celebrates the 50th anniversary of the first meeting of the European Parliamentary Assembly held in Strasbourg on 19 March 1958. Parliament's powers have been gradually extended with every new treaty. The Treaty of Lisbon is no exception, giving it more powers in relation to lawmaking, budget and international agreements.

Attending the conference “The Treaty of Lisbon: Giving More Power to the People” in Dublin, Commission Vice President Margot Wallström gave the Irish audience twelve positive reasons to support the Treaty.

A conference entitled 'Regions for Economic Change - Sharing excellence', will gather together over 600 participants from regions all over the EU to share ideas and experiences on sustainable development and competitiveness. With the aim of further strengthening Europe's regional policy, the Treaty has set “Economic, social and territorial cohesion and solidarity among Member States” as a key EU objective.

The Lisbon Treaty would enhance the European Union's democratic accountability, better protect citizens' rights and improve the functioning of EU institutions. Member States should ratify it by the end of this year, to pave the way for the June 2009 European elections, said the European Parliament in an own-initiative report adopted with 525 votes in favour, 115 against and 29 abstentions. Members nonetheless voice some concerns, notably about exceptions made for some countries.
Report on the Treaty of Lisbon

Economic reform, more jobs, tackling climate change and energy insecurity, migration and more security for EU citizens will be at the centre of the Commission’s next year policy strategy. “2009 will be an important year for the EU, marked by the possible entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon, a new European Parliament and a new European Commission” said Commission’s President Barroso.

After the positive vote at the National Assembly, with today’s thumbs up by the Senate, France has completed its process of approval of the Treaty. From July 2008, the country will replace Slovenia as head of the presidency of the EU Council. The two countries have been teaming up to ensure the entry into force of the Treaty by January 2009.
Statement by Commission President José Manuel Barroso
Extracts from press briefing by Commission President José Manuel Barroso (rm)

Romania, one of the last two countries to join the EU, has given further confirmation of its firm European commitment by being among the first to endorse the new Treaty. “The Lisbon Treaty, the first fundamental EU document that Romania has signed as a fully-fledged EU Member State, marks a new stage in the evolution of the European construction”, said recently Romanian Prime Minister Calin Popescu-Tariceanu.

Log on and sign in to the new Debate Europe website to express your views and interact live with EU commissioners.

Malta, one of the 10 countries to join the EU in 2004, has given its approval to the new Treaty. Together with Cyprus, the country has recently joined the single currency; bringing the number of countries using the euro from 13 to 15.

The Slovenian Parliament today approved the new Treaty. The country is currently holding the six-month rotating presidency of the EU Council and is the first of the ten countries which joined the EU in 2004 to hold this position.

Setting objectives which include the fight against climate change, energy saving and efficiency and the promotion of renewable forms of energy, the Treaty enhances the EU's capacity to act in several policy areas vital to its citizens. In line with this strategy, the European Commission has now presented a new package of measures intended to help the EU achieve its ambitious green targets.

Printed copies of the Treaty of Lisbon and the Charter of fundamental rights are now available through the EU bookshop. Order your copy or download a free PDF edition of the texts. A consolidated version of the Treaty will be published once it enters into force.

Presenting the priorities of his country’s Presidency to the members of the European Parliament, Slovenian Prime Minister and President of the EU Council Janez Janša confirmed that one of the Presidency’s main objectives is the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon on 1 January 2009.
Video of the Presentation
Speech by Commission President José Manuel Barroso

Commission President José Manuel Barroso: Consolidating European integration in the age of globalisation, Bruges

The Treaty of Lisbon will allow the EU to face the challenges of globalisation and reduce social unbalances, said Commission President José Manuel Barroso during a visit to the European College of Parma Foundation.

Slovenia, now holding the six-month rotating presidency of the EU council, and France, which will take over this responsibility in the second half of the year, hope to see the Treaty of Lisbon ratified before the end of 2008. The two countries will team up to accelerate the procedure and plan to approve it themselves probably by February 2008.

Slovenia is the first of the new EU countries to preside over the Council of the European Union.

Only days after being signed by the 27 EU leaders, the Treaty of Lisbon has received its first thumbs up, with the Hungarian parliament being the first to approve it on Monday 17 December.

In a plenary debate at the European Parliament in Brussels on Tuesday, 18 December, MEPs discussed with Council and Commission the achievements of the Portuguese Presidency over the past six months, which culminated with the signing of the Lisbon Treaty last weekend. Just before the debate, Parliament's President Hans-Gert Pöttering ceremonially signed the EU budget for 2008.
Speech by Commission President José Manuel Barroso

European Council on 14 December looks at bloc’s main upcoming challenges.

At the long-awaited signing of the new EU treaty, leaders from each of the 27 member countries put pen to treaty paper in a clear show of their willingness to take Europe into the 21st century. Fittingly, the ceremony took place in the ornate Jeronimo monastery in Lisbon.
Ceremony of the signature of the Treaty of Lisbon (video)
Photo gallery

The 13 December is indeed a red-letter day as the 27 states of the European Union gather in the capital of Portugal to sign the Treaty of Lisbon. Approved by EU leaders on 18-19 October, the new Treaty will help Europe meet the challenges of the 21st century. After being signed, it will have to be ratified by all member states. Watch the ceremony live!

Dignity, freedom, equality, solidarity and justice – these are the values which were proclaimed by the Presidents of the three EU institutions on the 12 December, the day before the signing of the Treaty of Lisbon. With this new Treaty, the Charter of Fundamental Rights draws together all personal, civil, political, economic and social rights into a single text, one which will be binding, and with the same legal status as the Treaties.

MPs from all over the EU flew to Brussels on 3-4 December to discuss the future of Europe and the Treaty of Lisbon, in a joint meeting with European MPs. How the treaty will meet Europeans’ expectations and the increased powers of EU parliaments were two of the main issues on the agenda.