BRUSSELS 1 Dec 2009 EU leaders aim for December treaty start

European Union leaders at their October summit set Dec 1 as a target date to bring into force the hard-fought set of institutional rules aimed at streamlining decision making in the bloc and boosting European clout on the world stage. The entering into force of the Lisbon Treaty across 27 EU states will end an 8-year stretch of negotiating and setbacks. The leaders wishfully thought the end was in sight once before. French and Dutch citizens voted against the treaty in 2005.

They have since voted for it. One potential setback appears to be out of the way. Euroskeptic Czech president Vaclav Klaus has signed the Treaty. The deal that brought Prague on board exemps the Czech Republic from a rights charter in the treaty. Various opt outs persuaded other euroskeptic leaders and/or parliaments to sign.

The president of the European Council and the foreign minister - two new jobs - as well as the line up of the next European Commission are set to be decided at an extraordinary summit in November. By then it should be decided whether the job of president will be largely administrative or carry international clout. Oct/09

RELATED READING:
EU leaders aim to put treaty in place by 1 December (EU Observer 30 Dec 2009)
http://euobserver.com/9/28918/?rk=1