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EU Lisbon Treaty comes into force EU Lisbon Treaty comes into force
(about 10 hours later)
The EU's Lisbon Treaty comes into force on Tuesday following its ratification by all the bloc's 27 member states. The EU's Lisbon Treaty has come into force, marking what Sweden's prime minister describes as a "new era" for the 27-nation bloc.
Fredrik Reinfeldt, who is steering the EU presidency, says the treaty makes the EU "more open and more democratic".
His message on the presidency website comes ahead of EU celebrations in the Portuguese capital on Tuesday, with fireworks, music and leaders' speeches.
Critics say the treaty will cede too many national powers to Brussels.
Institutional changes are now under way following ratification of the treaty by all 27 member states.
Lisbon has come into force about eight years after the EU started negotiations on the institutional reforms.
Belgium's Herman Van Rompuy is the EU's first permanent president
The treaty is designed to streamline decision-making and give the EU greater influence in world affairs.The treaty is designed to streamline decision-making and give the EU greater influence in world affairs.
It creates two new posts - president of the European Council and a high representative for foreign affairs. It creates two new posts - President of the European Council and a High Representative for Foreign Affairs.
Celebrations are planned in the Portuguese capital later on Tuesday with fireworks, music and speeches from EU leaders.
The BBC's Jonny Dymond, in Brussels, says the introduction of the treaty may appear low-key but the way decisions are made in the EU will change.The BBC's Jonny Dymond, in Brussels, says the introduction of the treaty may appear low-key but the way decisions are made in the EU will change.
Its supporters say it will make the EU more democratic and more efficient, but critics say it will cede too many national powers to Brussels.
The treaty comes into force almost exactly eight years since it was first conceived.
Foreign affairs supremoForeign affairs supremo
It overcame its final hurdle when the Czech Republic became the last of the member states to ratify it earlier this month. It overcame its final hurdle when the Czech Republic became the last of the member states to ratify it last month.
EU leaders later chose Belgian Prime Minister Herman van Rompuy to be the first permanent European Council President. EU leaders later chose Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy to be the first permanent European Council President.
The job of foreign affairs supremo went to EU Trade Commissioner Baroness Catherine Ashton from the UK. The job of foreign affairs supremo went to the EU Trade Commissioner, Baroness Ashton from the UK.
She takes over from EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, who leaves his post on Tuesday after 10 years in the role. She takes over from EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, who is leaving his post after 10 years in the role.
As high representative for foreign affairs, Mrs Ashton will command a more powerful position with a new, and eventually vast, European diplomatic service. As High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Lady Ashton will command a more powerful position with a new, and eventually vast, European diplomatic service.
One of the treaty's key areas is the removal of national vetoes in a number of areas. One of the treaty's key areas is the removal of national vetoes in a number of areas. These include the fight against climate change, energy security and emergency aid.
These include the fight against climate change, energy security and emergency aid.
Unanimity will still be needed in tax, foreign policy, defence and social security.Unanimity will still be needed in tax, foreign policy, defence and social security.
Mr Reinfeldt said that "in the future, when we make decisions concerning citizens' freedom, security and justice, our main principle will be to make them together with the European Parliament".
The treaty makes the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights legally binding for EU institutions and, according to Mr Reinfeldt, "we make clear equality between men and women and protection of children's rights within all policy areas".