Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark
The Lisbon Treaty: The Irish Finally Say Yes
On October 2, 2009 a referendum for the Lisbon Treaty took place in a small island off the coast of the European mainland. That small island, Ireland, approved the Lisbon Treaty and revived the hopes of European Union reformers. The Irish, who had not approved the referendum last year when it was first voted on, approved the large and dense document marking a major milestone for the future of the European Union (EU).
The Lisbon Treaty, also known as the Reform Treaty, was signed in Lisbon, Portugal on December 13, 2007 to reform t he inner-workings of the EU. As such, the treaty must be ratified by all 27-member states of the EU in order for all its provisions to be put in place. If adopted, this treaty will replace the Maastricht Treaty, or the Treaty on the European Union, that was adopted originally in 1992. The new version of the treaty has taken decades to negotiate and was originally expected to take effect in January 2009. However, because of ratification roadblocks, the struggle to pass the Lisbon Treaty has been longer than expected.
 Nonetheless, the Irish vote was a pivotal approval that supporters of the treaty had been seeking since Ireland first turned the treaty down just 16 months ago and thus stymied the efforts of EU reformers. Ireland held a voting referendum on the treaty, while the other EU members required only legislative and head of state approval. The final count from the Irish vote rested at approximately 67 percent in favor of the treaty.1 Only 33 percent were against the reform. The Irish considered the vote an overwhelming signal of approval since the voter turn-out was an impressive 58 percent of the population.2
Other members, notably the Czech Republic, have expressed some concern over the treaty, but still most observers believe the treaty is surely on its way to full ratification and adoption. The Czech Republic is the only member state that still has not yet ratified the treaty.
Both houses of the Czech Parliament have approved the treaty and are awaiting a signature from the country’s president. However, Czech President Vaclav Klaus is skeptical of a newly reformed Europe and has said he will await a constitutional ruling from the country’s supreme court on whether the treaty is amendable to Czech autonomy. President Klaus has expressed concern over the concept of shared sovereignty among the European states.3 President Klaus believes the treaty transfers too much power from the national government to Brussels and is among those considered “Eurosceptics.”
Revamping the EU
 Despite the hurdle presented by President Klaus, the Lisbon Treaty offers several new reforms for the EU that have the potential to reinvigorate the 27-country bloc that has long been waning in international influence. According to several scholars, the EU, the largest and most populous bloc in the world, has been asleep and swiftly losing ground to the US and China both politically and economically.
The Lisbon Treaty ultimately seeks to streamline decision making in the 27-country bloc. An overview of the changes to the European constitution is as follows:
- A person to be chosen as president of the European Council for a two and a half year term, instead of a 6-month rotating presidency
- A new post for a high representative on foreign affairs, yielding greater clout on the world stage
- A smaller European Commission that has fewer commissioners than member states
- A redistribution of voting weights
- New powers for the European Commission, European Parliament, and European Court of Justice
- Removal of national vetoes in several areas
The Lisbon Treaty has sought to overhaul the overall level of cohesion among the EU states providing much greater interdependence and cooperation. Arguably the most important reforms are the two new posts that are created—a European Council President and a high representative for foreign affairs. They have the potential to address many of the EU’s weaknesses.
A Chance for Economic and Political Reassertion for the Biggest Economy in the World
 The foreign affairs position will be an indispensable part of bolstering the external affairs agenda of the EU. The EU has long been criticized for looking too inward and possessing a weak public face, considering its tremendous potential as a negotiating powerhouse. The chief obstacle to a common EU foreign policy has undoubtedly been a lack of cohesion among each member state’s national interests. Nonetheless, the EU has effectively suffered on the international plane because of its inability to coordinate and project a unified front. At present, the EU is a weak actor in a world dominated by the United States and China as well as other emerging states in the wings such as Brazil, India, and Russia.
Therefore, politically, the Lisbon Treaty is offering the EU a chance to coordinate on foreign policy and awake from its slumber.4 The chance for the EU to sort out its muddied foreign policy is a tremendous opportunity that will offer its member states a chance to improve their performance both politically and economically. Under the leadership of an empowered leader, perhaps the EU may discover new strategies to cooperate in foreign policy without compromising each state’s national sovereignty.
 Internally, the EU has suffered from a weak economic performance, especially in the wake of the global financial crisis beginning the summer of 2008.5 However, trade negotiations are a strong point for the EU given its single currency in the euro zone. Trade outside of the EU member states is an aspect of its external affairs that must be exploited to improve its economic performance.
Therefore, streamlining the external affairs through the high representative position will improve trade and economic performance. Placing greater emphasis on external affairs and an emboldened foreign policy will increase the EU’s political influence as well as complement its economic initiatives.
Arguably, the true benefits of cohesion cannot be fully realized without strengthening its foreign policy. Negotiating as a single bloc of 27 countries wields tremendous power, but such power must be exercised. With stronger external relations, the EU can increase its economic performance and reinvigorate an overall commitment to the union.
Additionally, the new president of the council will set the tone for the future of the EU. Instead of a rotating six-month presidency, the new, more permanent president will yield greater clout to negotiate with other world players and reassert Europe’s commitment to multilateral engagement. The tenor set by the new president will be extremely important to the future engagement of the EU.
The EU’s improved level of cohesion will also help with its enlargement process. The EU’s own enlargement has been one of its greatest diplomatic tools. Adopting other states into the union will increase its overall economic output as well as its political clout. At present, Turkey, Croatia, and Macedonia have begun negotiations for full accession to the union. Perhaps with a revamped treaty behind it, the EU can speed along the process of accession and expand its influence through increasing its size.
The Danger of Drifting Back to Sleep
The Europeans have spent too many years looking inward. According to some, they has failed to live up to expectations on the international plane, albeit the largest economy in the world and home to some 498 million citizens. It is worth noting that the EU is undoubtedly more of a political entity than a geographical one, whose domestic interests have overridden commitment to the union. However, with the Lisbon Treaty close to implementation, the EU has a chance to reassert itself economically and politically.
For further reading:
1 “Ireland Backs EU’s Lisbon Treaty.” BBC. 3 October 2009.
2 Ibid.
3 “Czech President Klaus Still Holding Out.” The Times Online. 26 October 2009.
4 “Wake up Europe!” The Economist. Leaders: p 13. 10 October 2009.
5 Ibid.
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