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EU reform treaty goes under pen | EU reform treaty goes under pen |
(10 minutes later) | |
European Union leaders are gathering in the Portuguese capital, Lisbon, to sign the new reform treaty. | |
The treaty is designed to replace the European constitution rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005. | |
It aims to streamline the bloc's institutions after 12 mainly eastern European countries joined in the last three years. | |
It will also create two new powerful posts - EU president and foreign policy chief - to boost Europe's profile. | |
Mid-life crisis | Mid-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. | |
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-down | Slimmed-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. |