Clarity of the Treaties (simplification of the Treaties)

The glossary is being updated given the recent signing of the Treaty of Lisbon.

The European Union has come into being progressively, and its structure is the result of a succession of amendments to the various treaties. These amendments have gradually led to the founding texts of the Union becoming more difficult to read and understand.

The founding Treaties of Rome were followed by, among others, the Single European Act and the Treaty on European Union (the "Maastricht Treaty"). This Treaty created, in addition to the European Communities, a new structure, namely the European Union, which is based on three pillars (the European Communities, common foreign and security policy, and cooperation in the field of justice and home affairs). The Nice and Amsterdam Treaties contain amendments to the earlier treaties and a new article-numbering system. A large number of protocols and declarations are also annexed to these Treaties.

In December 2001 the Laeken Declaration launched a process of simplification of the Treaties.

See:

• Democratic deficit
• Laeken Declaration
• Revision of the Treaties
• Simplification of legislation
• Transparency (access to documents)
• Treaties