Understanding the Lisbon Treaty

The European Council, which met in Lisbon on 18th and 19th October 2007 approved the new reform treaty so called "Lisbon Treaty", which replaces the draft Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe. This new treaty introduces modifications both to the Treaty on European Union (Maastricht Treaty) and the Treaty establishing the European Community (Rome Treaty).

The 27 Member States of the EU have ratified the Lisbon Treaty. This will now be implemented rapidly, possibly by 1st December this year.

The 27 Heads of State and Government appointed on 19 November Herman Van Rompuy as President of the European Council and Catherine Ashton as High Representative of the EU and Vice-President of the European Commission.

In addition to the official text approved in December 2007, the Robert Schuman Foundation provides you with 10 explanatory sheets including the main innovations contained within the Treaty together with the ratification dates of each Member State. You will also find the Foundation's latest publications on issues raised by the Lisbon Treaty.


1. Fact sheets 2. The ratification procedure by country 3. Ratification map 4. Text of the treaty 5. Foundation publications

Ratification map