KÍSÉRLETEK AZ EURÓPAI UNIÓ JOGI KERETEINEK MEGVÁLTOZTATÁSÁRA A XXI. SZÁZAD ELEJÉN
Trying to Change EU Legal Framework at the Beginning of the 21st Century

Summary/Abstract: From the Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe to the Treaty of Lisbon, with Special Regard to the Common Foreign and Security Policy (2001–2008) The European constitutional process began with the European Convention – sometimes known as the Convention on the Future of Europe – on 27 February 2002. This article examines the headlines of some projects of the Constitution for Europe, the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe (TCE) and the Lisbon Treaty. The TCE was signed in Rome by representatives of the Member States on 29 October 2004, and was in the process of ratifi cation by the Member States when, in 2005, French (29 May) and Dutch (1 June) voters rejected the treaty in referenda. The Treaty of Lisbon established a more fl exible European Union than the Nice Treaty. The stated aim of the treaty is “to complete the process started by the Treaty of Amsterdam and by the Treaty of Nice with a view to enhancing the effi ciency and democratic legitimacy of the Union and to improve the coherence of its action”. Prominent changes introduced with the Treaty of Lisbon include more qualifi ed majority voting in the EU Council, increased involvement of the European Parliament in the legislative process through extended co-decision with the EU Council, eliminating the pillar system and the creation of a President of the EU and a High Representative for Foreign Affairs. The referendum on the Treaty of Lisbon held on 12 June 2008 was defeated by the Irish electorate and threatens the EU’s future.

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