Treaties of the European Union

The Treaty signed by the Heads of State or Government of the 27 EU Member States in Lisbon on 13 December 2007 is designed to 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.

Main points of the EU's Lisbon Treaty — 01 December 2009, 18:40 CET

The European Union's wide-ranging Lisbon Treaty, which entered into force Tuesday, is aimed at updating and revitalising the bloc's institutions and replacing its failed constitution.

Your guide to the Lisbon Treaty — 02 June 2010, 23:46 CET

After decades of war that cost millions of lives, the foundation of the EU marked the beginning of a new era where European countries solve their problems by talking, not fighting. Today, members of the EU enjoy a wealth of benefits. The rules on how to run the EU, however, were designed for a much smaller EU, and an EU that did not have to face global challenges such as climate change, a global recession or international cross-border crime. The EU has the potential, and the commitment, to tackle these problems, but can only do so by improving the way it works. This is the purpose of the Lisbon Treaty. It makes the EU more democratic, efficient and transparent. It gives citizens and parliaments a bigger input into what goes on at a European level, and gives Europe a clearer, stronger voice in the world, all the while protecting national interests. This leaflet explains what the Lisbon Treaty means to you as a citizen.

Poland set to become last EU state to ratify landmine pact — 03 December 2012, 15:43 CET

Poland is set to become the final member of the European Union to join the Ottawa Convention banning landmines, organisers said as a global conference on the deadly weapons opened here on Monday.

The Treaty of Lisbon explained — 01 December 2009, 19:25 CET

The following memo gives an overview of the main innovations in the Treaty of Lisbon that enters into force on 1 December 2009. It is not exhaustive, and should not be seen as a legal analysis.

Main points of the EU's Lisbon Treaty — 03 November 2009, 18:24 CET

The European Union's wide-ranging Lisbon Treaty, now ratified by all 27 EU member states after eurosceptic Czech President Vaclav Klaus put pen to paper Tuesday, is aimed at updating and revitalising the bloc's institutions and replacing its failed constitution.