Lisbon Treaty
            The Lisbon Treaty is the fifth in the sequence:
                    Treaty of Rome 1957   (which established the original EU, known then as the EEC)
                    Treaty of  Maastricht  1992  (which established the EU as such, and the common currency)
                    Treaty of Amsterdam  1997  (which simplified and strengthened the previous treaties)
                    Treaty of Nice   2003  (which prepared some of the ground for enlargement of the EU) 
                    Treaty of Lisbon    (see below)
              It is no more, or less, important to the development of the EU than the others.  The Constitution would have wrapped the four treaties into one document.    At the most the Lisbon Treaty only equates to about a fifth of the proposed Constitution.
              The Lisbon Treaty would  introduce the following changes :
     1. Names and Constitutional Elements
    1957 Treaty of Rome  to be called the 'Treaty on Functioning of the EU'
    1992 Treaty of Maastricht  to be called the 'Treaty on the EU'
    The European Council (Heads of State)  and the Central Bank (ECB) to become official institutions.
    Council of EU (Ministers) to be known as 'The Council' or 'Council of Ministers'.
    Court of Justice of the European Comnmunities (EC) to be known as 'Court of Justice of the EU'.
    Commission of the EC to be known as the 'European Commission'.

    2. Charter of Fundamental Rights of EU (54 political, social, and economic rights)
        This was to be incorporated in the Constitution. and become legally binding. It was opposed by the UK, which has a largely uncodified constitution. It is to become legally binding but UK has an opt-out. Poland also had an opt-out  until the change of govt cancelled it.

    3. Foreign Relations
        There are currently (in 2008) two posts which operate in this area:
        The High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (Javier Solana) and
        the Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy (Benita Ferrero-Waldner)
        These posts are to be merged into one, to be called:
         the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

    The Constitution would have simply named it as the EU Foreign Minister.
        Member states retain veto in this area.

    4  EU Parliament and national parliaments
        The co-decision procedure with the Council of Ministers will apply to almost all policies, not just some. The excluded areas include the CAP, and remain with the Council.
        The Parliament will have control over all the Budget (except CAP etc?)
        National parliaments will be consulted on draft legislation and may object where there is insufficient subsidiarity allowed.

    5. Voting in Council
        More policy areas will be subject to QMV, except for UKs red line matters.
        Criteria will be 55% of States, 65% of populations to come in to effect by 2014.

    6. Policy areas
        The 3 pillar structure introduced by the Maastricht Treaty will be replaced by a more detailed system of competency. The 3 pillars were Economy, Foreign Affairs, and Justice/Home Affairs.
        There are to be 3 degrees of competence:
            1. Exclusive to EU
            2. Shared between States and EU
            3. Supporting and co-ordinating role.

        Exclusive areas: Customs,  Competition, Monetary,  Marine, Commercial

        Shared areas: Internal mkt, Social policy, Economic cohesion, Agriculture, Environment, Consumer protection, Transport, Energy, Safety, Justice (UK opt-out)
        Supporting areas: Health, Industry, Culture, Tourism, Education, Civil protection, Admin

    7.  President of the EuropeanCouncil (Heads of State)
        The EuropeanCouncil is currently chaired by the Head of the Govt of the State holding the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, which changes every 6 months. The Reform proposal is to elect a President for a term of 2.5 years (same as the Parliament president) by QMV of the European Council; removal could also be effected by the same procedure. This person would report to the European Parliament, which would give Parliament more influence. The external representation of the European Council would be strengthened.
         The Presidency of the Commission is a parallel post, but it has legislative and executive powers which the European Council lacks.

    8. Enlargement Criteria
        These have been strengthened, and include a new provision for states to terminate their membership.

            States considered or rejected are:
                Bosnia, Turkey    waiting
                Norway        rejected itself
                Morocco        rejected by the EC
                Switzerland        application frozen

    9. Climate Change and Energy
        The Treaty contains additional agreements and targets in this area.

    10. Opt-outs/Opt-ins
        Outs:
        UK and Poland previously:    Charter of Fundamental Rights
        Ins:
        UK and Ireland:        Police and Judicial Affairs

    11. The Commission
        Number of departments to be reduced by a third. President to be elected by Parliament after proposal by European Council (Heads of State).

    12. European Parliament
        The size to be capped at 750. The Budget to be subject to the co-decision procedure between Council of Ministers and Parliament.

    13. EU Legislation
        All legislation to be subject to 8 week prior scrutiny by national parliaments before going thro the EU co-decision procedure.

    14. Timetable
        Negotiations to complete by end of 2007, and be ratified in all States by end 2008, usually by national parliaments, except for Ireland and possibly Denmark and Portugal.

    15. Objectives
        'The EU shall establish an internal market (where competition is free and undistorted). It shall work for the sustainable development of Europe based on economic growth and price stability, a highly competitive social market economy, aiming at full employment and social progress, and a high level of protection and improvement of the quality of the environment. It shall promote scientific and technological advance.'

        GP