This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7141651.stm

The article has changed 23 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
EU reform treaty goes under pen EU reform treaty goes under pen
(10 minutes later)
EU leaders are preparing to sign a treaty in the Portuguese capital, Lisbon, that will greatly alter the way members govern themselves. European Union leaders are gathering in the Portuguese capital, Lisbon, to sign the new reform treaty.
The treaty creates an EU president and a vastly more powerful foreign policy chief for the Union's 27 nations. The treaty is designed to replace the European constitution rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005.
At the same time the document scraps veto powers in many policy areas. It aims to streamline the bloc's institutions after 12 mainly eastern European countries joined in the last three years.
It is a replacement for the EU constitution abandoned following French and Dutch opposition. Some governments face domestic pressure over the text. It will also create two new powerful posts - EU president and foreign policy chief - to boost Europe's profile.
Mid-life crisisMid-life crisis
Having started this year with a celebration of its fiftieth birthday, the EU hopes the signing of the Lisbon treaty will end the serious mid-life crisis brought about by the death of the constitution, the BBC's Oana Lungescu reports. Having started this year with a celebration of its fiftieth birthday, the EU hopes the signing of the Lisbon treaty will end the serious mid-life crisis brought about by the death of the constitution.
There will be a lot of relief, said a senior European diplomat, but also some apprehension about what happens next.There will be a lot of relief, said a senior European diplomat, but also some apprehension about what happens next.
Ireland is the only country planning to hold a referendum, but most voters there seem either undecided or indifferent.Ireland is the only country planning to hold a referendum, but most voters there seem either undecided or indifferent.
Parliaments in Britain, the Netherlands and Denmark are also expected to give a turbulent reception to the 250-page text.Parliaments in Britain, the Netherlands and Denmark are also expected to give a turbulent reception to the 250-page text.
However, Germany, France and Poland have pledged to be among the first to ratify it, so that the new reforms can come into force in 2009 as planned.However, Germany, France and Poland have pledged to be among the first to ratify it, so that the new reforms can come into force in 2009 as planned.
Slimmed-downSlimmed-down
The treaty is a slimmed-down version of the European constitution, with a more modest name and without any reference to EU symbols such as the flag and anthem.The treaty is a slimmed-down version of the European constitution, with a more modest name and without any reference to EU symbols such as the flag and anthem.
It is meant to ease decision-making, by scrapping national vetoes in some 50 policy areas, including sensitive ones such as police and judicial co-operation.It is meant to ease decision-making, by scrapping national vetoes in some 50 policy areas, including sensitive ones such as police and judicial co-operation.
There will also be the foreign policy chief, controlling a big budget and thousands of diplomats and officials, and the permanent EU president appointed for up to five years.There will also be the foreign policy chief, controlling a big budget and thousands of diplomats and officials, and the permanent EU president appointed for up to five years.
But some already fear that instead of giving Europe a strong single voice in the world, the new posts will only generate more rivalry, our correspondent says. But some already fear that instead of giving Europe a strong single voice in the world, the new posts will only generate more rivalry.