BRUSSELS, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Lisbon Treaty, which aims to streamline the decision-making process of the European Union (EU), came into force on Tuesday.
The occasion was marked by a ceremony in the City of Lisbon, where the treaty was signed two years ago. The event was organized jointly by the Portuguese government, the Swedish Presidency and the European Commission.
"The Treaty of Lisbon puts citizens at the center of the European project," President of the EC Jose Manuel Barroso said in a statement.
"I'm delighted that we now have the right institutions to act and a period of stability, so that we can focus all our energy on delivering what matters to our citizens," he added.
The most important element of the treaty was creating two new posts, namely the first-ever permanent EU President and the foreign policy chief, to give a human face to the 27-nation bloc and increase its global clout.
At an informal summit held here on Nov. 19, then Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy and British EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton, were chosen as the first EU President and foreign policy chief respectively.
According to the EC, the Lisbon Treaty will allow the EU to fully concentrate on managing a smooth exit from the economic and financial crisis and pushing ahead with the bloc's 2020 strategy for greener growth.
It will also give more say to the European Parliament and national parliaments. And the EU citizens will have the right to make policy proposal to the EC.
Lisbon Treaty benefits Latin America: Portuguese PM
LISBON, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Lisbon Treaty, once ratified and put into force, will benefit Latin American countries, Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates said Sunday at the inauguration of the annual Iberia-American summit.
The Lisbon Treaty will help strengthen the role of the European Union (EU), Socrates said, adding that a more powerful and flexible EU means "good news" to all Iberia-America countries. Full story¡¡
EU to celebrate Lisbon Treaty on Dec. 1
STOCKHOLM, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- The European Union will celebrate the Treaty of Lisbon in Lisbon, capital of Portugal on Dec. 1 when the treaty enters into force, according to a statement issued by Sweden, the current rotating presidency of the EU.
"In the city that has lent its name to the treaty, the event is being marked with fireworks, music and speeches from EU leaders. Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt will attend," said the statement. Full story¡¡
Czech court endorses Lisbon Treaty
PRAGUE, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Czech Constitutional Court ruled Tuesday that the Lisbon Treaty did not contradict the Czech constitution, removing the last legal hurdle for the country's approval of the charter.
The treaty was" not in contrariety with the constitutional order of Czech Republic," Court Chairman Pavel Rychetsky said. Full story
EU summit concludes after discussing institutional, climate issues
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European Commission (EC) President Jose Manuel Barroso, Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, whose country is holding the EU Presidency, and French President Nicolas Sarkozy (L to R) talk at the European Union (EU) summit in Brussels, capital of Belgium, Oct. 30, 2009. Leaders of 27 EU member states held a two-day summit since Thursday to discuss about climate change, financing, EU institutional and economic issues. (Xinhua/Wu Wei)
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BRUSSELS, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- European Union leaders concluded their two-day summit after discussions on the Lisbon Treaty, climate change financing and economic issues.
The summit removed one of the last hurdles facing the Lisbon Treaty reform after giving the Czech Republic an opt-out in relation to the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Full story
Polish president signs Lisbon Treaty¡¡
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Poland's President Lech Kaczynski signs the European Union's Lisbon Treaty during signing ceremony at the presidential palace in Warsaw October 10, 2009. Kaczynski signed the EU's reform treaty into law on Saturday, leaving the Czech Republic as the only country still to ratify the document.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
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WARSAW, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- President Lech Kaczynski on Saturday signed the Lisbon Treaty, leaving the Czech Republic as the only country still to ratify the European Union reform measure.
"Today is a very important day in the history of Poland and the European Union," Kaczynski said at a signing ceremony attended by European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and other officials. Full story
