EU Reform Treaty
The upper house of the German parliament passed the Treaty of Lisbon on reforming the European Union by a large majority on 23 May. On 13 December 2007, the Heads of State and Government as well as the Foreign Ministers of the EU signed the EU Reform Treaty in Lisbon. This is also a German foreign policy success. During its EU Council Presidency, the German Government worked patiently to relaunch the stalemated treaty process.
Read more: EU Reform Treaty ratified by German Bundesrat
The Reform Treaty, while retaining the most important innovations of the Constitutional Treaty, builds upon the structure of the existing treaties. For that reason it will, in two Articles, amend the Treaty on European Union (TEU) and the Treaty establishing the European Community (TEC), which will be renamed the "Treaty on the Functioning of the Union".
Read more: Contents of the Reform Treaty
The Charter of Fundamental Rights brings Europe closer to the citizens. Before signing the Treaty of Lisbon, representatives of the key EU institutions proclaimed and signed the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union during a ceremony in Strasbourg. Upon entry into force of the EU Reform Treaty, the Charter will become legally binding.
Read more: Fundamental rights – a foundation for Europe
