STOCKHOLM, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt claimed on Tuesday that EU cooperation was entering a new era with the Treaty of Lisbon.

    "A new era of European cooperation begins today. With the Treaty of Lisbon, EU citizens get a union that can meet the demands of the 27 member states for transparency, democracy and efficiency, a union that can better meet the challenges of globalization," Reinfeldt said in an article published on the Swedish EU presidency website.

    "EU cooperation becomes more efficient, more active, and our international action becomes more coherent," said Reinfeldt, whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency.

    He said the EU could better prevent conflicts and also render peace support operations more effective with the High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy (HR) in place.

    The newly appointed HR, Catherine Ashton from Britain, will have a key role in formulating and implementing foreign and security policy.

    "We are strengthening our action within important policy areas such as combating crime and human trafficking," Reinfeldt added.

    A grand celebration will be held in Tuesday evening in Lisbon, where the so-called EU constitution was born, and important figures from the EU and Portugal will be present.

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

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) Photo Gallery>>>

    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　

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) Photo Gallery>>>

　

    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