The EU Reform Treaty - Your Questions Answered

Why does Europe need the Treaty of Lisbon?
The European Union of 27 members is operating with rules designed for an EU of 15. It needs to modernise and update its working arrangements to allow it work more efficiently and also more democratically. It makes sense to update the way in which it works.

What are the main institutional changes introduced by the Treaty?
a)European Parliament
Areas of co-decision with the European Council have been expanded giving parliaments increased legislative voting rights. It will have a key role in the approval of budget. It also has the powers to elect the president of the Commission on the Council proposal
b)European Commission
From 2014 membership of the Commission will be reduced to two thirds of the number of member states. Rotation will be on the basis of strict equality between the Member States irrespective of size. A new position, Vice President of the Commission and High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, will be created.
c)European Council
There is a new office of President elected for a renewable term of two and a half years to chair and drive forward the Council’s work. The President will not have decision-making powers, but will coordinate the work of the European Council and chair its meetings.
d)Voting Procedures for Qualified Majority Voting (QMV)
There is a new double majority voting system. It requires 55% of Member States and 65% of population. This will apply from 2014. This means that only those measures that genuinely command majority support can be adopted at EU level.

How will national parliaments have a greater say in European affairs?
National Parliaments have been given special recognition in the treaty. National parliaments will have the power to have a say at a very early stage, before a proposal is considered in detail by the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers. If enough national parliaments object to a proposal, it can either be amended or withdrawn.

What is the Charter of Fundamental Rights and how will the it improve the rights of European citizens?
The Charter of Fundamental Rights will be legally binding on Member States if the Treaty is ratified.The comprehensive list of rights in the Charter fall under the headings of dignity, freedom equality, solidarity, citizens’ rights, including workers’ rights, and justice. It is probably the most extensive and succinct statement of human rights and citizens' entitlements ever to be given legal form.

How does the Treaty advance the cause of “Social Europe”
The Treaty of Lisbon contains a “social clause” whereby the social issues (promotion of a high level of employment, adequate social protection, fight against social exclusion, etc) must be taken into account when defining and implementing all policies. The Treaty makes legal provision for social dialogue and recognition of the social partners. The Charter of Fundamental Rights also contains a section on solidarity.

How does the Treaty address environmental issues such as climate change?
The Treaty of Lisbon states that one of the Union’s objectives is to work for the sustainable development of Europe based, in particular, on a high level of protection and improvement of the quality of the environment. This will ensure the proper functioning of the energy market, in particular energy supply and the promotion of energy efficiency and energy saving, and the development of new and renewable forms of energy.

What will the Treaty do for countries needing development or humanitarian aid?
The Treaty of Lisbon introduces for the first time a specific legal basis for humanitarian aid. The Treaty clearly states that the reduction and the eradication of poverty is the primary objective of the Union’s development cooperation policy. This goal must be respected when the Union implements policies likely to affect developing countries. This implies also that development policy is a policy in its own right, and not an accessory of common foreign and security policy.

Does the Treaty weaken Member States' ability to have an independent foreign policy?
No. The post of High Representative does not create new powers but streamlines EU external action avoiding duplication and confusion. He or she will act in foreign policy matters on the basis of decisions taken unanimously by the EU 27. He or she will complement not replace the foreign policy or diplomatic efforts of Member States.

Will the Treaty create a European army?
No. Military capabilities remain in national hands. The Treaty foresees that Member States can make available civilian and military resources to the Union for the implementation of its Common Security and Defence operations. However, any Member State has the right to oppose such operations and all contributions to them will be always on a voluntary basis. A group of Member States who are willing and have the necessary capability will be able to undertake humanitarian and rescue tasks, military advice and peace-keeping tasks. No Member State can be forced to participate in such operations.

Does the Treaty involve giving up national vetoes in many areas?
The Treaty does not involve changes in areas of sensitivity to Ireland such as taxation and defence. Unanimity is preserved for all decisions in these areas. This means that all Member States must agree to any new proposals in these areas.

What are the new policy areas covered by Qualified by Majority Voting
(QMV)There will be an increase in the number of areas in which decisions can be taken by Qualified Majority Voting (QMV). Most of these are of a technical character or relate to areas where the union has only limited competence e.g. administrative cooperation; internal EU financial regulations; humanitarian aid operations.

How and when the Treaty of Lisbon will enter into force?
To come into force, the Treaty of Lisbon has to be ratified by all twenty-seven Member States. It is hoped that the Treaty will come into force by 1 January 2009, to allow its provisions to apply before the European Parliament elections in June 2009.