FCO Newsfile: EU Lisbon Treaty

Get the latest news, media coverage, photos, video and podcasts on the EU Lisbon Treaty.

Latest: The European Union (Amendment) Bill was introduced to Parliament on 17 December 2007. The Bill will give effect to the Lisbon Treaty in UK law. Once the Bill has been approved by Parliament and received Royal Assent, the Government will ratify the Treaty.

The Government has published a consolidated version of the EU Treaties, as amended by the Treaty of Lisbon:

Consolidated text of the EU Treaties, as amended by the Treaty of Lisbon (CM 7310)

To explain how the Lisbon Treaty changes the existing EU Treaties, the FCO has produced an online guide to the Amended EU Treaties. It summarises the key changes, and points you to the actual text in the Treaties:

Amended EU Treaties - See for Yourself

Following the signing of the Lisbon Treaty, the PM said that the EU was in a position to move on from constitutional questions and focus on global issues such as financial stability, trade, economic reform and climate change. Foreign Secretary David Miliband signed the treaty with other EU leaders prior to the PM's arrival in Lisbon.

Download a copy of the Lisbon Treaty (PDF, 1046 kb)

What is the December European Council for?

The December European Council, following the signing of the Lisbon Treaty, offers the EU the opportunity to demonstrate how it can move on and deliver on issues that really matter. The planned Declaration on Globalisation sums up where the EU needs to focus its efforts in the future. It reflects much of what the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary set out in their Global Europe paper in October.

Media about the Lisbon Treaty

Ministers back Lisbon Treaty (21/01/08)
BBC Radio 4 interview with Europe Minister Jim Murphy (13/12/07)
BBC Radio 4 World At One interview with Sir Stephen Wall, former adviser on Europe to the Prime Minister (13/12/07)
Prime Minister's statement to the House of Commons (22/10/07)
BBC Radio 4 Today Programme: European Reform Treaty: Miliband and Barroso interview (19/10/07)
BBC Radio 4 Today Programme: Miliband: Red lines must be secured (16/10/07)
Sky News: Interview with Jim Murphy about the Reform Treaty (14/10/07)

What will the EU Lisbon Treaty actually give us?

A bigger role for national parliaments
Greater transparency of what the EU can or cannot do
A greater focus on global challenges
More streamlined EU institutions
A full-time President of the European Council
A High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
More majority voting

Read more about the Lisbon Treaty on the Britain in the EU website.

Background to the EU Lisbon Treaty

2005: Following 'No' votes in referenda on the Constitutional Treaty in France and the Netherlands, the EU began a period of reflection on further institutional reform.
June 2007: EU members agree to a mandate for the principles of a new Treaty. This was under the German presidency of the EU.
05 Oct 2007: Draft version of the treaty is published, produced by EU lawyers working on the basis of the mandate agreed in June.
13 December 2007: The Treaty is signed by all 27 Member States.
17 December 2007: European Union (Amendment) Bill introduced to Parliament.

What happens now?

2008: UK Parliament debates and votes on the treaty. Other EU member states ratify the treaty in their own way. Only Ireland currently plans to have a referendum.
Jun 2009: political deadline for treaty ratification (in time for European elections)