Oct. 25, 2018, 10:29 a.m.
The Lisbon Treaty, also known as the Reform Treaty, was a result of the Lisbon Summit held on 18-19 October 2007. EU member states had previously attempted to establish a constitution but this failed because the Dutch and French voters opposed it on national referendums. The Treaty of Lisbon entered into force in 2009 and it significantly changed the structure of the EU and the decision-making mechanism.
These changes include:
The establishment of a High Representative of the EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy who chairs the meetings of the Foreign Relations Council, which brings the Foreign Ministers together.
The Agreement also brought about a new voting system. In order to be able to make a decision in the voting system where the qualified majority is required, 55% is required when considering the number of countries, and 65% when the country's population is considered.
At the same time, this agreement also increased the policy areas for which elected members of the European Parliament were obliged to implement EU legislation.
Cover photo: https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/india/45959/lisbon-treaty-brief-guide_lo
