A new EU Treaty

While Australia entered its electoral campaign with discussions on how the future of this country could shape, the European Union has had a very decisive week with the European Union Council (the 27 Heads of States and Governments) approving the new Treaty of Lisbon last Friday (19 October).

The new constitutional treaty that replaces the EU constitution, which was aborted after the negative votes against it in France and the Netherlands in 2005, will be formally signed on 13 December. It is my essential view that this Treaty will give a new momentum to the EU construction, bringing more democracy (reinforcement of the national and EU Parliaments), stronger values (adhesion to the European convention on human rights and fundamental liberties), more visible, efficient and solid institutions (a European President for two and a half years and a high representative for the external and security policy). These elements among other enshrined in the new treaty are essential steps to bring forward the political integration of the EU.

As many strong believers in the European Union agree, I think this is a decisive step in the achievement of the construction of this extraordinary human adventure – one that has not only reconciled past enemies, but has also helped to build a solid economic bloc and a soft power able to balance the influence of the other major economic and political blocs throughout the world.

While the electoral campaign will be active in Australia, let’s also mark the important events for the future of our planet that are happening in the continent across the earth where about 90% of Australians and New Zealanders could claim heritage.

Monday, 22 October 2007