EU reform treaty - on hold
Wednesday, 02 Jul 2008 00:00
The EU faces further institutional trouble
Institutional reform of the European Union is in crisis once again after the Irish 'no' vote rejecting the Lisbon treaty last month.
The ratification crisis means it could follow the failed constitution, spurned by French and Dutch voters in 2005, to the EU recycling bin. A period of renewed 'navel-gazing', amid much wringing of hands from those seeking further progress, beckons.
Merkel to the rescue
German chancellor Angela Merkel was at hand to ensure the recovery process from the constitution did not stall in the first half of 2007. She used her country's rotating EU presidency to push progress and was helped by a well-timed birthday party in March.
The Berlin Declaration signed on March 25th marked the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, allowing leaders to look back at "peace and prosperity" achieved across post-war Europe.
Revived by a sense of self-accomplishment, the document also looked forward. Key problems like the environment, security issues and global conflict resolution were the way forward, the declaration said.
January 17th: Merkel eyes renewed EU treaty effort
Reforming the EU
Representatives of the 27 EU member states sorted out the details in a summit in Brussels finishing in the early hours of June 23rd.
A last-minute Polish-led crisis had to be overcome before a draft treaty for the union's future was agreed upon.
Having negotiated frantically into the night diplomats emerged triumphant after the Poles threatened to veto the entire project.
A tired-looking Tony Blair said the agreement meant the EU could now "move on to things that are ultimately far more important".
Under the draft treaty's terms a full-time president would lead the council of ministers, while the size of the European Commission, the EU's civil service, would be reduced.
Portuguese prime minister Jose Socrates, taking the baton from Ms Merkel for the second half of the year, began work on seeing the treaty implemented by the target date of mid-2009.
June 23rd: Treaty agreement reached
A constitution by any other name?
The treaty was not without its detractors. Some - including the Conservative party – claimed it was virtually the same as the old constitution, despite the culling of symbols like an anthem and flag.
The UK government insisted it was "different in essence". When the Commons' European scrutiny committee reported on the issue, however, it described the two as being "substantially equivalent" and said the new treaty "produces an effect" similar to the abandoned constitution.
October 9th: MPs slam EU treaty
Finishing touches
Remaining points of contention were smoothed over on October 19th at a summit in Lisbon, when leaders agreed their individual needs had been met. The heads of state of Poland and Italy said their concerns about being outvoted by major members had been addressed, with both leaders saying their problems with their representation in the bloc had been solved.
Prime minister Gordon Brown told reporters the UK's red lines had been "secured", assuring them Britain's national interest had been protected.
October 19th: Leaders reach deal
At last, signatures
European leaders put pen to paper to ink the reform treaty on December 13th at a ceremony in Lisbon.
With the exception of Mr Brown, who was late because of a diary clash, the leaders finally put to bed six years of institutional agonising.
European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso said the reforms would allow the EU to take its place on the "world stage". A foreign policy high representative will allow the EU to act with a single voice on issues like trade, security and climate change.
December 13th: Treaty signed
The Irish no
The entire process, however, was derailed on June 13th with a negative response from the Irish.
Ireland had been the only country of the EU's 27 member states to put the treaty to the public vote. Officials reacted by putting off a final decision on the Lisbon treaty's status until the autumn.
Analysts were united in acknowledging the entire process may be derailed, despite most expecting other EU states to continue ratifying the treaty. A victory for the British government against multimillionaire businessman Stuart Wheeler's legal challenge to the treaty meant progress seemed likely in Britain, at least.
But the Polish announcement on July 1st it will not ratify either makes added pressure on Ireland less likely in the event of a second vote. Nicolas Sarkozy, assuming the EU presidency for the second half of 2008, faces a tough challenge to prevent a return to navel-gazing.
June 20th: EU leaders puts off Lisbon treaty decision
Alex Stevenson