EU clears hurdle to Lisbon treaty

Page last updated at 23:56 GMT, Thursday, 29 October 2009

EU leaders meeting in Brussels have agreed a deal designed to win Czech backing of the Lisbon Treaty, clearing a major hurdle to its ratification.

The Czechs were granted an opt-out from the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights, similar to that of the UK and Poland.

Czech President Vaclav Klaus was satisfied with the concession, Czech PM Jan Fischer told reporters in Brussels.

But EU leaders failed to agree on funding for a climate change pact to help developing nations.

"The road to ratification stands open," said Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, whose country holds the EU's rotating presidency.

'No problem'

The Czech Republic is the only one of the 27 EU nations not to have ratified the treaty, which aims to streamline decision-making and bolster the bloc's role on the world stage.

The BBC's Oana Lungescu in Brussels says Mr Klaus - an ardent Eurosceptic - had feared that without the opt-out, the charter would allow thousands of ethnic Germans who were expelled from Czechoslovakia after World War II to reclaim their lands.

"Vaclav Klaus was content with the text. He has been informed about all modifications... and does not have a problem with it," PM Fischer said after EU leaders agreed on the text at a summit.

But there is one final legal hurdle to Prague's ratification - the Czech Constitutional Court is expected to rule next week on whether the treaty complies with the country's constitution.

Presuming the court dismisses the latest challenge to the treaty, the Czech prime minister said his country could ratify the treaty by the year's end.

Blair's chances fading?

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said the eight long years of negotiating the treaty reminded him of a "marathon with hurdles".

"Tonight we have removed the last political hurdle," he said.

EU leaders were expected to discuss who will fill the post of president of the European Council - a post created by the Lisbon Treaty.

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Luxembourg Premier Jean-Claude Juncker have been touted as the leading candidates for the job.

On Thursday, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown reiterated his support for Mr Blair, saying he would make an "excellent candidate".

But the BBC's Jonny Dymond in Brussels says Mr Blair's chances seemed slimmer than before.

Our correspondent says support from the European Socialist group was not forthcoming, and Downing Street was signalling that defeat was a clear possibility.

Climate woes

On climate change, the EU failed to reach a united position ahead of December's United Nations Copenhagen summit, which aims to hammer out a new global climate treaty to replace the UN Kyoto Protocol.

Mr Reinfeldt called on EU leaders to agree a "fixed sum" that would open the way for other rich donors, like the US and Japan, to make similar aid pledges to help developing nations cope with the effects of climate change.

But Polish Finance Minister Jacek Rostowski told the BBC that nine Eastern European nations were prepared to block a deal unless richer countries paid a larger share of the costs.

EU sources said the presidency would present new proposals on Friday, the last day of the summit.

The EU is committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020 and by up to 30% if other countries join in.

The European Commission has recommended EU nations pay up to 15bn euros ($22bn; £13bn) a year from 2013 to developing nations to help them cope with the effects of climate change.

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President Klaus is now expected to sign the treaty


Czech court clears Lisbon Treaty

Page last updated at 10:32 GMT, Tuesday, 3 November 2009

The Czech constitutional court has ruled that the Lisbon Treaty is in line with the constitution, clearing the way for President Vaclav Klaus to sign it.

The Czech Republic is the only EU member yet to ratify the treaty, and the decision removes the penultimate hurdle to its passage.

The Eurosceptic Mr Klaus, who was awaiting the court's decision, has said he will not further oppose the treaty.

The treaty was drawn up to streamline decision-making in the 27-member body.

Its supporters say it will allow the bloc to operate more efficiently and give it greater influence in world affairs. Critics say it will cede too many national powers to Brussels.

'No obstacle'

If Mr Klaus signs, that will pave the way for the treaty to come into effect throughout the EU as early as 1 December.

The Czech president has been seen as the last major obstacle to the passage of the treaty, but he has recently appeared satisfied with a promised opt-out from the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Mr Klaus has said the opt-out was essential to avoid property claims from ethnic Germans, 2.5 million of whom were expelled from Czechoslovakia after World War II.

The BBC's Rob Cameron in Prague says no-one knows when Mr Klaus might sign the document, though it looks like he will have no reason not to.

The Czech constitutional court had been considering a case brought by 17 Eurosceptic senators who said the treaty would create a super-state, and as such would infringe Czech sovereignty.

Following the court's ruling on Tuesday, Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer said he was satisfied with the verdict, adding that there was now "no obstacle to the ratification".

The Lisbon Treaty would create the post of a new European Council president who would serve a term of two-and-a-half years.

It also provides for a new foreign policy chief, combining the posts of the existing foreign affairs representative and the external affairs commissioner.

The treaty replaced an earlier draft constitution, which was rejected in referendums in France and the Netherlands in 2005.

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LISBON TREATY

Creates new post of EU president (President of European Council)

New post of high representative for foreign affairs

More decisions by majority vote rather than unanimity

Ratified by all member states except Czech Republic

Only Irish Republic held referendum on it - twice ('Yes' vote second time)

Took a decade of negotiations

Was intended to take effect in January 2009

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David Cameron says "time is running out" to block the treaty


Cameron to set out treaty plans

Page last updated at 10:17 GMT, Tuesday, 3 November 2009

Conservative leader David Cameron has said he is "disappointed" by the Czech constitutional court's decision to push ahead with ratifying the Lisbon Treaty.

Czech President Vaclav Klaus is the only EU leader yet to sign the treaty.

Mr Cameron told LBC radio: "I of course hope he doesn't sign the treaty but I suspect time is running out."

The Tory leader said he would decide "later this week" what to do about his party's pledge for a referendum on the treaty should they win power.

Mr Cameron has been accused by Eurosceptics of reneging on a promise, made in a 2007 article for The Sun newspaper, to hold a referendum even if the treaty was ratified.

The Tory leader has not repeated that pledge recently, instead saying that if the treaty were ratified by the time the Conservatives gained power he would "not let matters rest".

Labour says the Lisbon Treaty, which creates the post of President of the EU council and Europe's first foreign minister, is "good for Britain" as it helped the country tackle major transnational issues.

Europe Minister Chris Bryant said: "We need the EU to be far more effective, for instance, in negotiations with China and India."

He added: "This is a very significant challenge for the Conservative Party and we are not going to let them run away with it."

'Iron clad' promise

Last month, the Conservatives said they would clarify their position once the Czechs had ratified the treaty, which would clear the way for it to pass into law across Europe.

Speaking on London independent radio station LBC, Mr Cameron said: "It looks like this is going to happen. I am very disappointed by that."

Quizzed about what he would now do about the treaty, Mr Cameron said: "We will have to address ourselves to it and I will be doing that later this week."

The Tory leader has reportedly angered EU leaders by writing a letter to the Eurosceptic Mr Klaus earlier this year urging him not to sign the treaty.

It has been suggested that the Conservatives could seek to renegotiate some of the powers contained in the treaty or demand some powers back from Europe if they win the next election, as well as vowing to block any future European treaties.

But this is unlikely to satisfy those who are demanding a referendum, who are calling on Mr Cameron to honour his "iron clad" promise to hold one no matter what.

Leading Conservative Eurosceptic Bill Cash told The Daily Telegraph: "We need a full referendum on Lisbon as we were promised. No ifs no buts.

"This is about the government of the UK operating in line with the democratic wishes of the country."

Last major obstacle

Barry Legg, a former chief executive of the Conservative Party and member of Eurosceptic think tank The Bruges Group, told the newspaper Mr Cameron had to "come clean" with the British people.

"How can David Cameron claim he'll fight to repatriate powers from Brussels when he won't even fight to implement his own words?," he said.

Czech President Vaclav Klaus, who was awaiting the court's decision, has said he will not further oppose the treaty.

If Mr Klaus signs, that would pave the way for the treaty to come into effect throughout the EU on 1 December.

The Czech president has been seen as the last major obstacle to the passage of the treaty, but he has recently appeared satisfied with a promised opt-out from the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Mr Klaus has said the opt-out was essential to prevent Czech courts being circumvented, mentioning the prospect of ethnic Germans - 2.5m of whom were expelled from Czechoslovakia after World War II - trying to win back their property.

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Supporters of the Lisbon Treaty were worried Vaclav Klaus would not sign


EU reform treaty passes last test

Page last updated at 16:23 GMT, Tuesday, 3 November 2009

Czech President Vaclav Klaus has signed the European Union's Lisbon Treaty, the final step in its ratification.

The treaty was drawn up to streamline decision-making in the EU, and is a watered-down version of a draft EU constitution rejected four years ago.

Among its measures, it creates a European Council president and alters the way member states vote.

The treaty could now come into force as early as December.

The Lisbon Treaty's supporters say it will allow the EU to operate more efficiently and give it greater influence in world affairs. Critics say it will cede too many national powers to Brussels.

Britain's opposition Conservative Party, which has argued the treaty should be put to a referendum, said it would announce its response on Wednesday.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown welcomed the ratification, and said it marked the end of years of debate.

"Today is a day when Europe looks forward," he said.

Court bias

The Czech Republic was the last of the EU's 27 member states to ratify the treaty.

Mr Klaus signed it shortly after the Czech constitutional court rejected a complaint against it, ruling that it was in line with the Czech constitution.

A BBC correspondent says Mr Klaus accused the court of bias and said the Czech Republic was no longer sovereign.

The Eurosceptic Czech leader had recently said he would no longer attempt to block the treaty, after receiving the promise of an opt-out from the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Mr Klaus said the opt-out was needed to avoid property claims from ethnic Germans expelled from Czechoslovakia after World War II.

The Lisbon Treaty replaced an earlier draft constitution that was rejected in referendums in France and the Netherlands in 2005.

It would create the post of a new European Council president who would serve a term of two-and-a-half years.

It also provides for a new foreign policy chief, combining the posts of the existing foreign affairs representative and the external affairs commissioner.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said earlier that he hoped the EU could move "as quickly as possible" to make appointments to the new posts.

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David Cameron: Is under pressure from some in his party over vote


Cameron's 'never again' vow on EU

Page last updated at 17:16 GMT, Wednesday, 4 November 2009

David Cameron has said "never again" to powers being transferred from the UK to Brussels without a referendum.

He said all future treaties would be put to a public vote as he outlined his new European policy after ruling out a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.

He also promised a sovereignty bill if the Tories win the next election to "lock in" the supremacy of UK laws.

And the Tory leader vowed to repatriate powers on the Charter of Fundamental Rights, employment and criminal law.

Mr Cameron unveiled the new set of policies after abandoning a pledge to hold a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, which is now to come into force on 1 December.

Concoct pretext

He has been accused of backtracking on a "cast iron" pledge to hold a referendum, but he said: "I did not promise a referendum come what may, because once the Lisbon Treaty becomes law there is nothing people can do about it."

He added: "I recognise there are some who, now that we cannot have a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, want a referendum on something else... anything else.

"But I just don't think it's right to concoct some new pretext for a referendum simply to have one for the sake of it."

But a Conservative government would amend the European Communities Act 1972 to prohibit the transfer of power to the EU without a referendum.

That would cover any future attempt to take Britain into the European single currency, said Mr Cameron.

"We will give the British people a referendum lock to which only they should hold the key, a commitment very similar to that which exists in Ireland," he added.

'Massive Euro bust-up'

Such a move, together with the repatriation of some powers, was "credible, doable and deliverable" and would prevent the "drift" towards a federal Europe, he argued.

Mr Cameron said the phrase "never again" would feature in the party's general election campaign and manifesto.

The sovereignty bill would act in place of a written constitution, which Britain does not have, to prevent the "drift" of EU powers into new areas, explained Mr Cameron.

He said he would need the agreement of all 27 EU nations to get powers back on employment law, including the working time directive, the Charter of Fundamental Rights and criminal justice.

But he reassured other EU nations that he was not seeking a "massive Euro bust-up", stressing the situation was "complex" and would take the lifetime of a Parliament to solve.

Mr Cameron is seeking to head off a civil war in his party over Europe - but some MPs are likely to continue demanding the public have a say on Europe.

Backbencher Douglas Carswell told the BBC News channel: "I think we need a referendum on our relationship with Europe."

And Nigel Farage, leader of the UK Independence Party, which campaigns for Britain's exit from the EU, accused Mr Cameron of attempting to deceive the public on Europe.

"The true state of affairs is that we are signed up to a higher, European legal order. Renegotiation is not credible or doable. This is all too little too late," he said.

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Cameron shuns 'Euro bust-up'

Gavin Hewitt | 18:27 UK time, Wednesday, 4 November 2009

I took one message away from David Cameron's speech today on Europe. If he becomes prime minister he does not want his early months in office dominated by a row with Europe. This was Realpolitik.

He does not want his agenda or his party to be engulfed by Europe in a way that proved so destructive in the past.

If he had insisted on a referendum - despite the fact that the Lisbon Treaty had become law - he would have embarked on a gigantic battle with other European leaders. David Cameron does not want that. He knows first-hand how it almost paralysed John Major's government.

So, for me, the key line was this:

"We will take our time, negotiate firmly, patiently and respectfully, and aim to achieve the return of the powers I have set out over the lifetime of a parliament."

And in case his meaning was not fully understood, the Tory leader said there would be no "Euro bust-up".

This, then, will be a long legal struggle. It is a far cry from threatening to obstruct business unless Britain gets its way.

Some in his party wanted a more general referendum to strengthen the party's hand in negotiating with other European countries. David Cameron has dismissed that. As Malcolm Rifkind, a former foreign secretary, observed earlier, it would only have the power of an opinion poll. It would also consume much of the government's energy.

David Cameron's aim is to negotiate an opt-out from social and employment legislation in certain areas and a complete opt-out from the Charter of Fundamental Rights. It is very difficult to bring powers back to Westminster without treaty changes. And that is a tough road to go down. To change a treaty needs the calling of an Intergovernmental Conference (IGC). That can only be done if 14 countries want it.

After the eight-year struggle to deliver the Lisbon Treaty it may not be easy to find 14 willing countries. Once a conference starts any country can put on the agenda whatever concerns it. To agree treaty changes requires the signatures of all 27 countries.

This has the feel of the "long grass". The EU knows how to string out negotiations and, as David Cameron said today, his aim would be to bring back some powers within the lifetime of a parliament. Even that may be ambitious.

The promise of "never again" allowing a transfer of powers to the EU without the say of the British people is politically shrewd. "Never again" is an attractive slogan to place in election leaflets. In reality there are no plans for another big treaty like Lisbon. The EU is worn down by the struggle to reform and there is no appetite for further major changes.

The offer of a referendum on this issue sets a benchmark. The Conservatives have opened themselves up to demands for referendums on other contentious issues.

Overall, other European countries will be reassured that David Cameron is not looking for a fight. What the Tories are hoping is that through legislation they will prevent a seepage of powers to Europe.

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