European Council – Brussels 21-22/06/07

The EU Heads of State and Government convened for a European Council under the Presidency of Angela Merkel, Federal Chancellor of Germany. The main focus was the revision of the Constitution and the need to draft a relevant roadmap. The agenda also included the adoption of the euro by Malta and Cyprus, which had a positive outcome. After 36 hours of negotiations, a reformed Treaty was agreed upon, which will be drafted at the next Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) and should come into force in 2009. The main decisions taken were: Double majority voting will not come into effect before 2014. However, until 2017, member states can request that a decision be made according to the current Treaty of Nice. The Charter of Fundamental Rights will no longer be an integral part of the Treaties, but will become legally binding with reference to the Treaties, which will not apply to the United Kingdom. The new position of High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy will merge the duties of the EU High Representative for CFSP and the Member of the European Commission responsible for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy. The European Treaties will be reformed with an amending Treaty that will not contain references to state symbols or anthem. There will be a full-time President of the Council, who will preside over the European Council for two and a half years. National competencies will be strengthened. National Parliaments will have eight weeks to raise objections against draft legislative acts if they consider that these violate national competencies. The European Parliament and the EU Council of Ministers will have equal powers in future decision-making for the EU budget. The number of Commissioners will be reduced: from 27 to 15 by 2014.