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      "title": "The European Union\u2019s Reform Process: The Lisbon Treaty",
      "summary": "The Lisbon Treaty, the latest institutional reform treaty of the European Union (EU), went into effect on December 1, 2009. The document was signed by the heads of state or government of the 27 EU member countries in December 2007. The process of completing ratification by each individual member country lasted nearly two years, concluding with ratification by the Czech Republic on November 3, 2009. The Lisbon Treaty reforms the EU\u2019s governing institutions and decision-making process to enable the EU to operate more effectively. The treaty grew out of the proposed \u201cconstitutional treaty\u201d that foundered after French and Dutch voters rejected it in referendums in 2005. \nThe Lisbon Treaty seeks to give the EU a stronger and more coherent voice with the creation of a new position, President of the European Council. The first holder of this office is former Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy. He chairs the activities of the 27 EU heads of state or government, working to facilitate consensus and ensure policy continuity, and acting as the group\u2019s spokesman. Additionally, the Lisbon Treaty seeks to increase the weight and visibility of the EU on the world stage by creating the new position of High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Catherine Ashton (from the United Kingdom), formerly European Commissioner for Trade, serves in this position. She will be supported by a newly created EU diplomatic corps, the European External Action Service. \nThe treaty also makes changes to the EU\u2019s internal decision-making mechanisms. These changes have been designed to streamline the process and make it less susceptible to gridlock or blockage. Additional reforms attempt to address concerns about democratic accountability and transparency in EU policy-making by granting a greater role to the directly elected European Parliament, national parliaments, and citizens\u2019 initiatives. \nExperts assert that the Lisbon Treaty could have positive implications for U.S.-EU relations. Some observers believe that it could eventually allow the EU to take on a more active and effective role as a U.S. partner in tackling global challenges. The adoption of the treaty could also help make the EU more amenable to future enlargement, including to the Balkans and perhaps Turkey, which the United States supports. On the other hand, some observers doubt how much of an impact the Lisbon Treaty will have, and some skeptics maintain that a stronger EU poses a potentially detrimental rival to NATO and the United States. \nThis report provides information on the Lisbon Treaty and possible U.S.-EU implications that may be of interest to the 112th Congress. Also see CRS Report RS21372, The European Union: Questions and Answers, by Kristin Archick and Derek E. Mix.",
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      "title": "The European Union's Reform Process: The Lisbon Treaty",
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      "id": "RS21618_2009Sep18",
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      "title": "The European Union's Reform Process: The Lisbon Treaty",
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      "id": "RS21618_2008Jul03",
      "date": "2008-07-03",
      "retrieved": "2008-12-11T20:31:32",
      "title": "The European Union's Reform Process: The Lisbon Treaty",
      "summary": "In December 2007, leaders of the European Union (EU) signed the Lisbon Treaty, which seeks to reform the EU's governing institutions and decisionmaking processes to enable a larger EU to operate more effectively. This new treaty represents the latest stage in a reform process begun in 2002 and essentially replaces the proposed EU \"constitution\" that foundered after French and Dutch voters rejected it in referendums in 2005. In June 2008, Irish voters rejected the Lisbon Treaty, and have thrown its future into doubt. This report provides background information on EU reform efforts and possible implications for U.S.-EU relations that may be of interest in the second session of the 110th Congress.",
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      "id": "RS21618 2005-07-11",
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      "title": "The European Union's Constitution",
      "summary": "In June 2004, the European Union (EU) concluded work on a constitutional treaty that contains changes to the EU\u2019s governing institutions and decision-making processes. This new \u201cconstitution\u201d grew out of the 2002-2003 Convention on the Future of Europe and previous EU efforts to institute internal reforms ahead of the Union\u2019s expansion from 15 members to 25 in May 2004. The \u201cconstitution\u201d aims to enable a larger EU to operate effectively and prevent gridlock, but it must still be ratified by all member states before it enters into force. This report provides background information on the Convention and describes the EU \u201cconstitution,\u201d its key provisions, next steps, and possible implications for the U.S.-EU relationship.",
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      "title": "The European Union's \"Constitution\"",
      "summary": "In June 2004, the European Union (EU) concluded work on a constitutional treaty that contains changes to the EU\u2019s governing institutions and decision-making processes. This new \u201cconstitution\u201d grew out of the 2002-2003 Convention on the Future of Europe and previous EU efforts to institute internal reforms ahead of the Union\u2019s expansion from 15 members to 25 in May 2004. The \u201cconstitution\u201d aims to enable a larger EU to operate effectively and prevent gridlock, but it must still be ratified by all member states before it enters into force. This report provides background information on the Convention and describes the EU \u201cconstitution,\u201d its key provisions, next steps, and possible implications for the U.S.-EU relationship.",
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      "title": "The European Union's \"Constitution\"",
      "summary": "In June 2004, the European Union (EU) concluded work on a constitutional treaty that contains changes to the EU\u2019s governing institutions and decision-making processes. This new \u201cconstitution\u201d grew out of the 2002-2003 Convention on the Future of Europe and previous EU efforts to institute internal reforms ahead of the Union\u2019s expansion from 15 members to 25 in May 2004. The \u201cconstitution\u201d aims to enable a larger EU to operate effectively and prevent gridlock, but it must still be ratified by all member states before it enters into force. This report provides background information on the Convention and describes the EU \u201cconstitution,\u201d its key provisions, next steps, and possible implications for the U.S.-EU relationship.",
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      "id": "RS21618 2005-03-07",
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      "title": "The European Union's \"Constitution\"",
      "summary": "In June 2004, the European Union (EU) concluded work on a constitutional treaty that contains changes to the EU\u2019s governing institutions and decision-making processes. This new \u201cconstitution\u201d grew out of the 2002-2003 Convention on the Future of Europe and previous EU efforts to institute internal reforms ahead of the Union\u2019s expansion from 15 members to 25 in May 2004. The \u201cconstitution\u201d aims to enable a larger EU to operate effectively and prevent gridlock, but it must still be ratified by all member states before it enters into force. This report provides background information on the Convention and describes the EU \u201cconstitution,\u201d its key provisions, next steps, and possible implications for the U.S.-EU relationship.",
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      "id": "RS21618_2004Dec22",
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