The Treaty of Lisbon entered into force on the 1st December 2009. It amends the two fundamental treaties – The Treaty on European Union (TEU) and the Treaty establishing the European Community (now to be known as the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union or in short: TFEU). 
What does this mean? Well, there are many changes but one of the most obvious is that the European Union replaces the European Community!
Furthermore, the Treaty has created two new positions: President of the European Council – Herman Van Rompuy, the “face” of the EU and to drive forward the programme of work and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy – Baroness Cathy Ashton, to implement agreed policies which will enhance the EU’s relations with other countries.
It also changes the organisation of the court system, and it’s jurisdiction. The entire court system of the EU will be known as The Court of Justice of the European Union, consisting of three specialised courts: Court of Justice, the General Court and the Civil Service Tribunal.
To learn more see the following:
- Europa: Treaty of Lisbon – Taking Europe into the 21st century
- UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office: Global issues – The Lisbon Treaty
Still confused? Feel free to ask staff in the Maps, Official Publications & Statistics Unit on Level 7 for further info.
Categories: Library
Tags: Court of Justice, EU, European Community, european union, Lisbon treaty, Treaty of Lisbon, UofGLibrary
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