Lisbon Treaty

The Lisbon Treaty, signed in 2007 and effective from 2009, is an agreement that modified the governing rules of the European Union (EU). Its main goals were to streamline decision-making, enhance the EU’s global influence, and improve democratic legitimacy. Key changes included creating a permanent president of the European Council and a High Representative for Foreign Affairs, as well as increasing the powers of the European Parliament. The treaty aimed to make the EU more cohesive and efficient in addressing challenges, while also ensuring member states retained their sovereignty.