About: treaty

EU rejects first citizen’s petition, on nuclear power

For the first time, the European Commission has rejected a proposed European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI), one that sought to phase out the use of all nuclear energy within the EU.

Italy proposes new Treaty change

Italy's Finance Minister Giulio Tremonti called yesterday (19 April) for a new revision of the EU Treaties in order to equip the European Union with updated tools to face immigration, the economic crisis and energy challenges.

EU comes up with exit strategy for climate talks

The EU's new commissioner for climate action wants Europe to continue leading global negotiations and pursue deeper emission cuts, even if its current pledge of 20% reductions by 2020 is not matched by other developed countries. 

New EU treaty enters into force, sparking reform

The European Union's Lisbon Treaty comes into force today (1 December), bringing to life the bloc's plans to overhaul its institutions and gain a greater role on the world stage.

Ireland shows EU establishment the red card

The citizens of the only EU country to hold a popular vote on the Lisbon Treaty have rebuffed the Union's entire political class with a resounding 'no' to the reform text, throwing the EU into yet another political crisis.

UK MPs reject referendum on EU Treaty

MPs in the UK have rejected a proposal put forward by the opposition Conservatives to hold a popular referendum on the Treaty of Lisbon, paving the way for the text to be ratified via parliamentary vote.

Slovakia to hold EU Treaty vote amid opposition protest

Slovakia's parliament is scheduled to vote on the Treaty of Lisbon on Thursday (February 7) after ratification was postponed for the second time last week in the wake of opposition protests over a media bill introduced by the ruling coalition. EURACTIV Slovakia reports.

Slovenia and Malta ratify EU treaty

Slovenia and Malta have become the latest countries to ratify the new EU Treaty agreed upon by EU leaders in December last year.

Public support for EU treaty low in Ireland

Only 25% of Irish citizens would currently vote in favour of the Lisbon Treaty about to be signed by EU leaders on 13 December, according to a recent poll, which also showed many voters still need to make up their minds ahead of a referendum on the new EU treaty.

French want their say on EU treaty, survey shows

61% of French citizens would like to see a referendum on the 'Lisbon Treaty' set to be signed by EU leaders in December, according to a recent poll. However, President Nicolas Sarkozy remains determined to pass the document by parliamentary vote.

Reform Treaty leaves unions with mixed feelings

The European Trade Union Confederation and social NGOs have welcomed the new 'Reform Treaty' agreed upon by EU leaders in Lisbon last week. At the same time, they expressed disappointment over Poland and the UK's opt-outs from the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Brown to feel Parliament heat over EU Treaty

UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has promised "the fullest Parliamentary debate" over the EU's new treaty agreed in Lisbon last week but once again ruled out holding a referendum, saying the substance of the new text is different from the defunct EU Constitution.

EU summit: leaders strike treaty deal

European leaders on Thursday (18 October) reached a deal on a new 'Reform Treaty', ending two years of stalemate following the rejection of the draft EU Constitution in 2005. But attention is now soon to turn to ratification, with several countries under pressure to hold a referendum on the new text.

EU treaty summit: nothing left to discuss?

With most disagreements on the draft 'Reform Treaty' ironed out, the Portuguese Presidency has decided to shift EU leaders' attention to a general debate on globalisation at an informal summit in Lisbon. Meanwhile, a new opinion poll shows citizens in the EU's five largest member states are in favour of holding a referendum on the new text.

Italy says Parliament reshuffle ‘unacceptable’

New plans for the distribution of MEPs' seats have come under attack by Italy, which risks losing out on equal footing with France and the UK. Prime Minister Romano Prodi said Italy might block the new system from being inserted in the new EU Treaty to be agreed at a summit in Lisbon next week.

EU officials confident in run-up to Treaty summit

The Portuguese Presidency and the Commission have shown optimism that an agreement can be found on the proposed Reform Treaty at a crucial summit in Lisbon next week. They were in Parliament yesterday to update MEPs on the issue as Poland remains the last stumbling block.

Poland ‘very optimistic’ over new EU Treaty deal

Polish President Lech Kaczynski said he was '95-98%' confident that the EU will come to an agreement on the proposed Reform Treaty following a meeting with French President Nicholas Sarkozy, just days ahead of the summit that is set to seal the final accord.

Legal experts hand over draft EU Treaty for approval

A draft version of the EU's new Reform Treaty was provisionally approved by legal experts yesterday (2 October), but some political issues, such as the Polish demand to add the 'Ioannina compromise' on voting rights, could resurface at an informal summit two weeks from now.

Wallström in push to change EU communications strategy

In a new plan to be unveiled today (3 October), the Commission will propose that member states and EU institutions put an end to the "Brussels blame game" and join forces around a common communications strategy in order to win back support from citizens for the 2009 European elections.

Barroso urges Poland to ‘solve EU’s problems’

On a visit to Warsaw, Commission President José Manuel Barroso called on Polish Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski to 'find technical solutions' to the EU's draft Reform Treaty, as Poland is again making Council voting rights a stumbling block in the negotiations, due to be finalised in October.

Barroso urges UK to support EU Treaty

Commission President José Manuel Barroso has urged the UK to give its backing on the Reform Treaty, in time for the next Summit on 18-19 October, but avoided a clear positioning on the UK referendum question.

Polish elections hang over EU Treaty talks

The EU is hopeful of finalising its new 'Reform Treaty' in less than six weeks, despite renewed worries over the upcoming Polish elections to be held on 21 October, foreign ministers announced after an informal meeting on 7-8 September. 

Parliament: EU Treaty talks will raise political issues

The UK opt-out on the charter of fundamental rights is among the issues in need of "further legal clarification", according to the three MEPs taking part in the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) after a meeting with Commission President José Manuel Barroso.

Gordon Brown faces EU Treaty referendum battle

The UK prime minister met with his German counterpart Angela Merkel, amid increasing pressure to hold a referendum on the new EU Treaty as trade unions joined forces with Conservatives and Eurosceptics.