So, we have a Treaty

On Thursday, after two years, the European leaders finally reached a deal on the new ‘Reform Treaty’.
Now all we need is the ratification, pretty difficult, since the governments in several member countries are pressured to organize a referendum on the revised text.

Some key provisions of the new treaty are:

* A full-time Council president, for a two and a half year, renewable term.
* A clearer, fairer and more transparent voting system based on the “double majority” system.
* A smaller Commission capped at two-thirds the number of member states from 2014.
* A stronger foreign policy representative, creating the post of High Representative for Foreign Policy by merging the roles of the Council High Representative and the commissioner for external action.
* An extension of majority voting to 50 new areas, most of them minor, and most notably concerning cooperation on fighting terrorism, crime and immigration.
* The Charter of Fundamental Rights will become legally binding, though only on European legislation.
* A stronger role for national parliaments, who now have the right to challenge European legislation that they consider unnecessary.

Is seems that President Nicolas Sarkozy - France and Prime Minister Gordon Brown - Great Britain are backing Tony Blair to be the first to fill European Union presidency.

(Should I comment the picture? Or not? …not this time :D)

N.B. I was asked why I want a referendum in Romania - everybody knows that the result will be certainly a very clear “yes”. Because the Romanians will finally have the chance to talk and debate on European issues. I don’t think they will be wasted money.