Lisbon Treaty is due to come to force on 1st January 2009. This treaty needs signatures of all 27 member states according to EU ruling. 18 countries have already given approval to the Treaty. Only Irish Republic held a referendum and the treaty was given a veto. What next? Will there be re-thinking about Irish objections to the treaty? Or will there be another referendum? The next meeting in Luxembourg will decide the future action of EU.
The Lisbon Treaty was signed in December 2007. It replaced the earlier European draft constitution which was rejected by France and Netherlands in 2005. It aims to streamline European commission and bring all 27 member states under one umbrella and have one new President of European Council and a stronger foreign policy post. It also dissolves national veto powers in certain policy areas. EU wants to have a stronger united voice in the world.
Many countries within European Union are trying to push through the treaty to strengthen the EU and help its expansion into east Europe. But some members are skeptical that treaty will interfere with the very constitution of the individual countries and the crucial policies regarding abortion, taxation and neutrality. The treaty awaits legal signal in Czech Republic. The treaty has to be compatible with its constitution.
It remains to be seen if any magic formula emerges which will make Lisbon Treaty work for all its 27 members, and if at all Irish Republic and other skeptic countries are willing to rethink.
source: BBC
Comments
It will be interesting to see how it unfurls in the future. It is not going to be same in Easter Europe as they have had a different set up post WWII. Although the iron curtain is gone there will still be Differences in ideology and mindset. Anyway let’s hope for the better.
So long as they get their steady supply of gas and oil from Northern Africa, these countries will not really need many treaties! :)