Mr. President,
Ladies and Gentlemen MPs,
The Lisbon Treaty, which entered into force on 1 December 2009, has created a new institutional and political reference framework for a European Union of 27 or more member states. It has laid the foundations for a more democratic, dynamic and enlarged European Union; a Union of states and citizens. The Treaty strengthens the efficiency and effectiveness of the Union’s institutions and decision-making mechanisms. Global challenges such as climate change, energy security, international terrorism, transnational organised crime and immigration take a prominent position in the Treaty. Our country made its own contribution to the creation of this new framework. And it will continue to do so, by expressing its positions confidently and by helping to shape developments.
I will start my intervention by stressing a major change, in my view, that has been introduced by the Lisbon Treaty. The Treaty gave the answer to a long-standing request of European societies: democratic legitimacy for the Union and its institutions. Indeed, by deepening institutional intergration and the Union’s enlargement to new member states, the need for more democratic elements in our common institutions that would legitimise the Union in the citizens’ minds became more imperative. Decisions that affect the lives of us all are made in Brussels everyday. It is thus necessary that the process resulting in these decisions should have democratic foundations in order to be consolidated in the public’s mind.
So what are these elements? First of all, we need to point out the strengthened role of national parliaments as part of the Union’s legislative process. National parliaments can now be briefed on the Union’s legislative initiatives directly by community institutions. Furthermore, through the mechanism of the subsidiarity principle they have the right , and obligation, to assess the Union’s policies and activities. A national parliament may, within eight weeks of being sent a legislative proposal, issue a reasoned opinion stating why it considers that the proposal does not comply with the principle of subsidiarity. If the reasoned opinion represents at least one third of the votes allocated to national parliaments, the legislative proposal is reviewed so that it can be amended or even withdrawn. This strengthens the role of national parliaments even more, but concurrently presupposes even closer cooperation between us. It is one more tool in order for national policies to be conducted through the European Union and also upgrades the meaning of Parliamentary Democracy.
Of equal importance is the Treaty’s provision about EU citizens’ ability to invite the European Commission to submit legislative proposals. Indeed, the European Citizens’ Initiative is one of the most significant innovations introduced with the Lisbon Treaty. The consultation procedure has already been put udner way in order for the necessary preconditions to be put in place in order for this process to be implemented.
The new Treaty has strengthened the role of the European Parliament as well by extending the co-decision procedure to additional areas. It is to be used for the approval of the EU budget and the Multiannual Financial Framework. The European Commission President and the College of Commissioners are elected by MEPs, following hearings of the proposed Commissioner nominees, and the Parliament is also given a strengthened role on the Treaty’s reviewing process. Following the Treaty’s entry into force, the European Parliament has already given indications that it plays a more substantial and more decisive role. Here, I am particularly refering to the recent approval process of the European Commission’s members.
After Lisbon, the European Union’s functioning has definitely become more democratic. Of course, no one is arguing that we have reached the desired outcome. But on the other hand, no one can doubt that significant steps have been made in the right direction.
At the same time, the European Union has become more effective thanks to the reform of its main institutions in order to safeguard the unity and coherence of its policies both internally and externally, that is, vis-a-vis its international collocutors.
In this respect, a significant development is the institutionalisation of the position of President of the European Council. For the first time, the European Council has become an EU institution and the first EU President, Mr. Van Rompuy took office on 1 January 2010 and is responsible for coordinating European Council Summits, seeks even greater participation of EU Heads of State and Government in European policy-making and in tackling the major issues that are of concern to the Union.
Another major change that was introduced with the Lisbon Treat and undoubtedly ensures greater cohesion for the Union, concerns Freedom, Justice and Security matters. The third pillar was abolished and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union provides for decision-making by qualified majority on police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters with an enhanced role for the European Parliament, on a par with the Council.
I would like to point out certain amendments or new provisions in this area, which are of particular interest to our country:
- A new objective is set to gradually set up an integrated management system for the Union’s external borders.
- Explicit reference is made to respect for member state competence concerning the geographical demarcation of their borders, pursuant to international law.
- The solidarity principle and equitable burden-sharing between member states are now clearly defined, on the financial level too, in the areas of asylum and immigration. EU bodies must always take this principle into account when they legislate.
The objective of unity and coherence of the Union’s policies and strengthening of its cohesion stands not only internally, but also externally. The international system is still being restructured. The European Union must take its place among the emerging poles of power. It must overturn the well-known image of an organisation that is “an economic giant, but a political dwarf”. The Treaty of Lisbon provides certain tools towards this purpose.
Another significant development is the creation of the post of the EU High Representative for the CFSP, which reinforces the Union’s voice on the international scene. Concurrently, it is a significant step in the Union’s course towards an “ever closer Union”.
The External Action Service of the European Union, expected to be set up in the coming months, should become the main tool of the EU’s foreign policy. This Service, which will comprise European Commission and Council Secretariat officials, as well as representatives from member state Foreign Ministries, will assist with the EU High Representative’s work.
At the present phase, there is an exchange of views on the Service’s organisational structure and operational framework within the competent community bodies. This month, EU High Representative Lady Ashton will present the relevant legislative texts at the Council and European Parliament in order for their examination to be completed and relevant decisions to be made, if possible, in the course of April. Next Monday’s Council will discuss this matter once again, following the relevant discussion at the informal Foreign Ministers Council in Cordoba, Spain. Greece is participating actively in these negotiations and claims a substantial presence in this new Service. We seek a distinct voice for Greece in the shaping of Europe’s foreign policy. We want to participate strongly in the achievement of the Union’s goals. We already have a series of contacts with our partners, particularly member states with a similar size and sensitivities as Greece, in order to promote our common interests regarding our participation in this new Service.
As regards the Common Security and Defense Policy, the Reform Treaty introduces a new form of reinforced cooperation called “permanent structured cooperation”. Its objective is to reinforce the European Union’s defense capabilities.
The ability to build closer cooperation in the defense sector concerns member states that comply with certain criteria in terms of their military capabilities and which have taken on more binding obligations in this area with regard to more demanding crisis-management missions.
We believe that Greece fulfils the general criteria for its participation in the “permanent structured cooperation”. But we need to be prepared in order to specify these criteria at the next stage. We are of course in favour of the broader possible participation of member states that are willing and capable to take part in this Cooperation.
This apart, the new Treaty broadens the scope of crisis-management operations, also known as “Petersberg tasks”. The Council may assign the deployment of such a mission to a group of member states who are willing and have the necessary capabilities.
Finally, the Lisbon Treaty has introduced two clauses that reinforce the political cohesion of the Union and its member states. The first one called the “mutual defence clause” stipulates that “if a Member State is the victim of armed aggression on its territory, the other Member States shall have towards it an obligation of aid and assistance by all the means in their power, in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.” The second is the solidarity clause, according to which “the Union and its Member States shall act jointly in a spirit of solidarity if a Member State is the target of a terrorist attack or the victim of a natural or man-made disaster.”
Apart from all these major institutional changes, the Treaty of Lisbon also introduces new provisions on a series of EU policies such as energy policy, establishing a European Area of Research, environmental policy, the Common Agricultural and Fisheries Policies, tourism, European cultural heritage, education, professional training, protection of intellectual property, political protection and, of course, the functioning of the Union’s internal market.
Mr. President,
Ladies and Gentlemen MPs,
The Lisbon Reform Treaty has been, as you know, the fruit of painstaking negotiations and political compromises both on an integovernmental level and in each member state’s interior. This Treaty has established the basic institutional and political framework that will shape our common European endeavour in the coming years. It has undoubtedly set certain limits, but also leaves room for even bolder steps in the direction of European political integration.
I will not deny that there is strong competition within this common European framework. We stand next to our partners, we belong in the Union’s hard core and we support perhaps some of the boldest ideas of political integration. But this does not mean that we have ceased hacing our own specific national interest, which we have been promoting in the most appropriate manner possible, not a mere spectators of developments or as weak partners carried away by the strongest members’ will, but by contributing with our idea, by taking initiatives and by creating opportunities.
A new field of action opens up ahead of us. a new European Union. We are determined and this is why the Hellenic Parliament’s contribution will be of paramount importance to regain a strong and clear voice for our country.
Of course, the Treaty of Lisbon – just as any other treaty for that matter – will be evaluated in the end through its implementation in practice. In the short period after its entry into force, it is difficult to assess the changes it has brought forward in the European Union’s multifaceted construction and in the way it functions. We are amidst an ongoing process, which will lead to the clarification of the Treaty’s articles through the necessary legislative acts, in order to define the way in which EU institutions will be able to implement its provisions.
As far as the Foreign Ministry is concerned, I want to assure you that Greece is present in these developments and helps shape the final decisions. But it is time for us to realise that the European Union – following many years of intense talks about its institutional future – must now come out of its introversion. It must regain its position on the international scene.
At the same time, it must look again to its closer neighbourhood. And it must not forget its unfulfilled historical obligations. The Union was not born based on a concept for an elitist club. It was primarily a vision for a Union that would bring peace and prosperity to everyone, in which a war would be inconceivable. That’s what we have been saying with our “2014 Agenda” on the Western Balkans. We are reminding our partners that our neighbours from the Western Balkans have been waiting on the Union’s doorstep. We are reminding them that Europe must once again stand firm on its feet, and it must turn its attention to our neighbourhood and open its enlargement doors in order to complete the European construction.
Thank you.