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.

Major countries launch new anti-terror group — 22 September 2011, 23:02 CET

Twenty-nine countries from around the world, plus the European Union, on Thursday launched a new multilateral organization dedicated to fighting terrorism.

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.

Euro-Parliament demands open debate on treaty change — 28 November 2011, 22:46 CET

The European Parliament has told Germany and France, who want to change the EU's treaty in response to the debt crisis, that MEPs will demand a six month no-holds-barred public consultation.

Britain isolated in Europe after summit — 09 December 2011, 17:43 CET

Britain stood out in the cold in Europe on Friday after Prime Minister David Cameron, facing rising euroscepticism at home, blocked EU treaty changes at a summit designed to save the eurozone.

Britain out in the cold after EU treaty block — 09 December 2011, 12:50 CET

Britain stood out in the cold Friday after Prime Minister David Cameron, facing a revolt among his own lawmakers back home, blocked EU treaty changes at a summit here designed to save the eurozone.

EU budget busters may face court under new deal — 17 December 2011, 10:59 CET

A new agreement to push eurozone countries to rein in debt, due to be ready for signing in March, could allow Germany or any other country to drag violators before the European Court of Justice.

EU ready to revise treaty to boost economic convergence — 23 October 2011, 23:52 CET

European Union leaders on Sunday agreed to change the bloc's treaty if necessary in the interests of economic convergence and discipline, EU president Herman Van Rompuy said.

Commission expresses 'regret' over British treaty veto — 12 December 2011, 14:48 CET

EU Economic Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn on Monday expressed regret over Britain's veto of a new EU treaty to boost integration and warned it would not protect the City of London from new financial regulation.

Why EU treaty change is key to the euro's future — 02 December 2011, 15:51 CET

A push for EU treaty change by Europe's power couple Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel will dominate a European Union summit next week, pivotal to the future of the euro and the 27-nation bloc.

Commissioner Rehn warns of EU 'disintegration' — 30 November 2011, 22:50 CET

The EU's euro commissioner Olli Rehn said Wednesday that leaders must take a leap of faith with meaningful cross-border integration at a summit next week, or see the bloc break up.

Reforms in EU do not require treaty change: Commission — 06 September 2011, 14:55 CET

The European Commission said on Tuesday it saw no need for change to European Union treaties to instigate closer cross-border economic governance.

Britain remains 'important partner' despite veto: Germany — 12 December 2011, 14:49 CET

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman said Monday that Britain remains an "important partner," despite its regrettable veto of a new EU treaty to step up fiscal integration.

EU's non-euro eastern bloc warns of new referendum wave — 12 September 2011, 17:48 CET

Seven non-eurozone eastern European EU states warned on Monday that they could force new referendums on bloc membership if treaties are changed to develop closer eurozone fiscal union.

EU veers from treaty change for all 27 states — 29 November 2011, 15:31 CET

The European Union is veering away from attempts to change the treaty binding its members to provide a lasting response to the debt crisis, diplomats said Tuesday.

Finland votes to join anti-personnel landmines treaty — 25 November 2011, 15:51 CET

Finland's parliament voted Friday in favour of signing an international treaty banning the use of anti-personnel landmines, which would make it the last European Union country to do so.

Block on EU treaty change 'tough but good' decision: Cameron — 09 December 2011, 08:07 CET

British Prime Minister David Cameron said Friday he took a "tough but good" decision to block a change to the EU treaty presented by France and Germany as the way to resolve the eurozone debt crisis.

Germany mulls 'a la carte' European treaty changes — 09 November 2011, 18:37 CET

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said Wednesday that EU countries should be able to opt whether to take part in European treaty changes on fiscal reform.

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.

British conditions on treaty change 'unacceptable': Sarkozy — 09 December 2011, 06:22 CET

French President Nicolas Sarkozy labelled "unacceptable" Friday a set of conditions imposed by British Prime Minister David Cameron for the latter to back full EU treaty change.

Italy's Monti bemoans Britain's isolation at EU summit — 09 December 2011, 17:43 CET

Italy's new premier Mario Monti on Friday regretted Britain's decision to block EU treaty change designed to save the euro, saying it faced "certain isolation" in the immediate future.

Why is EU treaty change needed to stabilise euro? — 08 December 2011, 13:42 CET

Potentially explosive EU treaty change takes centre stage at an EU summit opening Thursday as Europe's power couple Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy push to throw a fiscal strait-jacket on the eurozone.