Enlargement, disaster management and Santa Lucia buns

Later today, I will be chairing the last meeting of the General Affairs Council during this presidency. As the Copenhagen climate summit has just started, today’s meeting will also serve as an opportunity for possible small adjustments to the Union’s mandate in the negotiations. Discussions on the conclusions for the European Council on 10-11 December will also be held. The European Council later this week is the point where the Presidency will be delivering on a number of the priorities set.

Enlargement is also on the agenda for the General Affairs Council, with a view to adopting conclusions. In the margins of the meeting, I will also host an informal discussion with colleagues on disaster management. The new Treaty contains a solidarity clause, which obliges Member States to assist each other in case of a disaster. However, if this is to work in practice, the Union will need a more effective and well-coordinated capacity to manage disasters. During today’s discussion – accompanied by Swedish Christmas ‘glögg’ and traditional Santa Lucia saffron buns – we will have a first exchange of views on how this capacity should be developed further.

A more effective and democratic Union

Finally, it’s Lisbon Day. Just a few hours ago, the Lisbon Treaty entered into force. The process initiated by the European Council in December 2001 has now finally resulted in a clear and comprehensive set of rules, which will be governing the European Union for the foreseeable future.

I dare to say that the Lisbon Treaty is the result of the most transparent and democratic process in the Union’s history. Member State governments, national MP’s and the European Parliament were all part of the European Convention that tabled the proposal for the Constiutional Treaty back in 2003. Although the outline is different, the actual contents of the Lisbon Treaty is very similar to the Convention’s original draft.

With the Lisbon Treaty, the EU will be able to take a great leap forward. New provisions will pave the way for more effective and transparent decision-making, a more democratic Union, and a clear focus on citizens.

The discussions on how Europe should be governed has gone on for years. This debate has been important, but it has also prevented Europe from delivering on important policies. As from today, we will need commit all our efforts to take on the great challenges currently facing Europe. It’s climate change, it’s creating conditions for jobs and growth, it’s the fight against cross-border crime and it’s the challenge to turn the Union into a stronger global actor.

Treaty finally ratified!

At a press conference just minutes ago, Czech President Vaclav Klaus announced that he signed the Lisbon Treaty at 3 o’clock this afternoon. This is very good news! This means that all 27 Member States have now ratified the Treaty.

It has been a long trip, but the Lisbon Treaty is now most probably due to enter into force on 1 December. With the Treaty as an important tool, we now begin the trip of making the European more democratic, while increasing transparency and speeding up the decision-making process in a number of key areas.