New Era Dawns For EU As Lisbon Treaty Enters Into Force Today

December 1, 2009 8:04 a.m. EST

Washington, DC (AHN) - Today, on Dec. 1, the European Union's Treaty of Lisbon enters into force. The day is being marked in Lisbon with fireworks, music and speeches from EU leaders.

The Lisbon Treaty, named after the Portuguese capital where it was signed in 2007, aims to boost the EU's global role and make the enlarged Union more transparent and efficient.

"A new era of European cooperation beings today. With the Treaty of Lisbon, EU citizens get a Union that can meet the demands of the 27 Member States for transparency, democracy and efficiency. A Union that can better meet the challenges of globalization," said Sweden's Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt whose country holds the current EU Presidency.

Jerzy Buzek, President of the European Parliament said, "The Treaty of Lisbon represents an increase in democracy and efficiency in the European Union." He added, "The Treaty gives a huge boost to the powers of the directly-elected European Parliament. The Lisbon Treaty is a tool not the aim. The Treaty gives the EU a set of tools to tackle more effectively the key concerns of citizens."

The treaty's most important innovations include the creation of a permanent president of the European Council and a new EU foreign minister who will head a large diplomatic office.

European leaders selected Belgian premier to be the EU's first permanent president. EU trade commissioner Catherine Ashton from the UK lands the foreign policy spot.

After nail-biting negotiations at a council meeting headed for the history books, the decision on Belgian prime minister Herman Van Rompuy and commissioner Ashton was unanimous.

European Commission President Jose M Barroso congratulated the two. "I think it will be impossible to have a better choice than those personalities for the European Union leadership."

A Christian-Democrat politician and economist by training, Van Rompuy, 62, has served as Belgium's premier for nearly a year. Many credit him with bringing stability to the country during tensions between the French- and Flemish-speaking communities.

"I have not sought this high position. I have intervened in no way. But from tonight, I will take it up with conviction," he said.

In an agreement with the European commission, the council appointed Catherine Ashton, 53, to be the EU's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy. A member of the UK Labour Party, she will also serve as a vice-president of the next commission now being formed.

The new president will serve for 2½ years. The position will replace the rotating presidency under which one member country chairs major EU meetings for six months.

Van Rompuy's core responsibilities will include chairing council meetings and representing EU leaders on the global stage. He will also represent the council in relations with other EU institutions.

Catherine Ashton will have the authority to propose defense and security measures. She will also be tasked with setting up a network of diplomats around the world to support the new office.

She said she was surprised by her nomination, which must still be confirmed by parliament. "I am very honored and proud to have been asked to take on this role. "

"I will make sure I represent our values across the world."

The post of high representative merges two existing portfolios: high-representative for common foreign and security policy and commissioner for external relations.