Currently, the European Union is passing through one of its most important stages in terms of development and progress. The Treaty adopted on December 13, 2007 in Lisbon, capital of Portugal was ratified by 27 EU member states, the goal of which is to modernize the EU institutions and their activities, as well as to simplify the decision making system within the EU.   

The Treaty of Lisbon envisages series of innovations and reforms, which would help the EU to overcome the challenges of the 21st century. The Treaty stipulates wider engagement of the European Parliament in legislation as well as joint decision making processes with the EU Council.  The Treaty of Lisbon attaches huge importance to the issues of foreign affairs, under which it is envisaged to unify the positions of “High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy” and “Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy”.

The successful completion of Lisbon Treaty’s ratification process, in the result of which it entered into force from the 1st  of December, 2009 united the knot where the EU appeared after the failure of ratification of the European Constitution /Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe signed on October 29, 2005 in Rome/. France and the Netherlands rejected the Constitution through national referendums. After the French and Dutch referendums, the European leaders decided to hold a "period of reflection" on what to do next and in order to overcome the created crisis; among the member states it was agreed to adopt the Treaty of Lisbon.  more >>>

The ratification of the specified Treaty approves once again that despite the fact that the 27 EU member states have the same approach not to all issues; however, they are ready to seek for solutions. A clear example of the above mentioned is the double referendum held in Ireland, where the answer “yes” to Lisbon Treaty succeeded the answer “no” given during the first referendum. In case of ratification of the European Constitution, the integration processes might record uneven development. However, the process was not cancelled, and European Union proposed to establish a new treaty which was created as a replacement. So, the EU overcame the crisis through the Treaty of Lisbon which is currently ratified by 27 EU member States.  

The parliament of Czech Republic gave its consent to join the Treaty, however, the Czech President Vaclav Claus while ratifying the Treaty proposed new conditions, claiming that the Charter of Fundamental Rights of European Union which is a part of Lisbon Treaty shall not apply to the Czech Republic for a specified period as it was the case with Great Britain and Poland. The Constitutional Court of the Czech Republic still needed to give its opinion on the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty. And only in the event of positive opinion of the Court as well as mutual agreement on the requirement proposed by the Czech President; it might be possible to ratify the Treaty.   Czech Republic was grounding its requirement by a fear that the adoption of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union might be a reason for the Germans expelled from Czechoslovakia after the 2nd World War to claim for compensations. Slovakia was trying to do the same. By the way, the same requirement was previously proposed by Poland as well. In addition, Poland expressed its willingness to adopt the conservation laws on a family. Great Britain employed a conservative approach towards the Charter as well.   

During the Summit of the European Council held on October 29/30 in Brussels, in the result of gained compromises, the requirement proposed by the Czech Republic was satisfied which eliminated the last obstacle to bring the Treaty to life, which entered into force from 1st of December, 2009. In the current stage of integration, the adoption of the Lisbon Treaty has a core meaning for the European Union, as it will ensure the continuity of implemented reforms. Roll Up