New EU treaty ushered in with blaze of fireworks in the city where it all began.

EU fills new top jobs

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.

After nail-biting negotiations at a council meeting headed for the history books, the decision on Belgian prime minister Herman Van Rompuy and commissioner Ashton was unanimous.

President Barroso congratulated the two. “I think it will be impossible to have a better choice than those personalities for the European Union leadership.”

A Christian-Democrat politician and economist by training, Mr Van Rompuy, 62, has served as Belgium’s premier for nearly a year. Many credit him with bringing stability to the country during tensions between the French- and Flemish-speaking communities.

“I have not sought this high position. I have intervened in no way. But from tonight, I will take it up with conviction,” he said.

In an agreement with the European commission, the council appointed Catherine Ashton, 53, to be the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy. A member of the UK Labour Party, she will also serve as a vice-president of the next commission now being formed.

The two posts were created by the recently approved Lisbon treaty, which aims to enhance the EU’s role in world affairs and streamline its decision-making.

The new president will serve for 2½ years. The position will replace the rotating presidency under which one member country chairs major EU meetings for six months.

Van Rompuy’s core responsibilities will include chairing council meetings and representing EU leaders on the global stage. He will also represent the council in relations with other EU institutions.

Catherine Ashton will have the authority to propose defence and security measures. She will also be tasked with setting up a network of diplomats around the world to support the new office.

She said she was surprised by her nomination, which must still be confirmed by parliament. "I am very honoured and proud to have been asked to take on this role. “

"I will make sure I represent our values across the world.”

The post of high representative merges two existing portfolios: high-representative for common foreign and security policy and commissioner for external relations.

The selections become official with the entry into force of the Lisbon treaty on 1 December.

20/11/2009

Lisbon treaty - a fresh start for the EU

New EU treaty ushered in with blaze of fireworks in the city where it all began.

It was a long time in the making. But today the Lisbon treaty finally entered into force, introducing sweeping institutional changes designed to streamline decision-making and raise the EU's stature in international affairs.

Hailed as the foundation for a more democratic, efficient and transparent union, the treaty brings to fruition a long quest to rewrite the EU's internal rules - all the more pressing after 10 more countries joined in 2004.

"The treaty of Lisbon puts citizens at the centre of the European project," president Barroso said. "I'm delighted that we now have the right institutions to act and a period of stability."

The milestone was marked by a ceremony in Lisbon, where the treaty was signed two years ago.

For the charter to become a reality, all EU countries had to ratify it, a process only recently completed. In October, Irish voters returned to the ballot box - and this time endorsed the treaty. The Czech president subsequently dropped his opposition, removing the final hurdle.

Gearing up for the big day, EU leaders met late last month to fill two posts created by the treaty. They appointed Belgian prime minister Herman Van Rompuy as the EU's first full-time president, and commissioner Catherine Ashton as foreign policy chief.

For Mr Barroso, the treaty's debut means he can get on with the job of putting together a new commission, having announced the nominees last week. Likewise, 18 MEPs elected in June under Lisbon treaty rules can now claim their seats in the European parliament.

That's merely the start.

Among many other changes, the treaty redistributes voting weights between member countries, removing national vetoes in a number of areas. It expands the commission's powers and greatly increases parliament's involvement in the legislative process.

A new petition process will give citizens the opportunity to directly influence EU policy. The human rights charter becomes legally binding.

Lisbon amends the Rome and Maastricht treaties, giving the EU a new legal framework and tools to tackle challenges in an increasingly interlinked world.

01/12/2009

New EP: more power, more responsibility

The Lisbon Treaty gives the European Parliament more power to shape Europe than ever before. Along with more power, comes more responsibility vis-à-vis citizens, national parliaments and the European Union.

Every new EU treaty has increased the European Parliament's legislative power. The Lisbon Treaty now places Parliament on an equal footing with the Council of Ministers in deciding on the vast majority of EU laws.

More powers

The Lisbon Treaty makes the European Parliament a stronger lawmaker by bringing over 40 new fields within the "co-decision" procedure, under which Parliament has equal rights with the Council. These areas include agriculture, energy security, immigration, justice and home affairs, health and structural funds.

Parliament gains a bigger role in setting budgets, as the old distinction between "compulsory" and "non-compulsory" expenditure is abolished. Parliament will decide on the entire EU budget together with the Council.

MEPs will also have to give their consent to a whole range of international agreements negotiated by the Union, in areas such as international trade.

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