This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/8387648.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
EU Lisbon Treaty comes into force EU Lisbon Treaty comes into force
(about 9 hours later)
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. The Lisbon Treaty has come into force, marking what European Union leaders have described 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". Top officials marked the occasion with celebrations, fireworks and speeches in the Portuguese capital.
His message on the presidency website comes ahead of EU celebrations in the Portuguese capital on Tuesday, with fireworks, music and leaders' speeches. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said the treaty symbolised a "free and democratic" Europe.
Critics say the treaty will cede too many national powers to Brussels.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. The hour-long celebrations took place at a custom-built temporary venue close to the River Tagus.
Lisbon has come into force about eight years after the EU started negotiations on the institutional reforms. Addressing the event, Mr Barroso called the Lisbon Treaty "the symbol of a reunited, free and democratic Europe".
Belgium's Herman Van Rompuy is the EU's first permanent president The celebrations were marked with fireworks
But he said EU leaders could not rest on their laurels and still had more work to do.
Fredrik Reinfeldt, the Swedish prime minister who is currently steering the EU presidency, said the treaty made the EU "more open and more democratic".
Institutional changes are now under way following ratification of the treaty by all 27 member states, eight years after the EU started negotiations.
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.
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.
Foreign affairs supremo 'World stage'
It overcame its final hurdle when the Czech Republic became the last of the member states to ratify it last 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.
During the celebrations on Tuesday, he said the treaty would allow members "to play our part on the world stage".
The job of foreign affairs supremo went to the EU Trade Commissioner, Baroness Ashton from the UK.The job of foreign affairs supremo went to the EU Trade Commissioner, Baroness Ashton from the UK.
Belgium's Herman Van Rompuy is the EU's first permanent president
She takes over from EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, who is leaving his post 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, Lady 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. These include the fight against climate change, energy security and emergency aid.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.
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".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".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".