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EU leaders agree on reform treaty EU leaders agree on reform treaty
(20 minutes later)
EU leaders in Brussels have reached agreement on an outline of new rules for the 27-member bloc after two days of tough negotiations.EU leaders in Brussels have reached agreement on an outline of new rules for the 27-member bloc after two days of tough negotiations.
Compromise over a new voting system - to which Poland objected - was struck, removing a major obstacle to a deal.Compromise over a new voting system - to which Poland objected - was struck, removing a major obstacle to a deal.
Warsaw had rejected previous proposals as giving too much weight to the bloc's larger members, including Germany.Warsaw had rejected previous proposals as giving too much weight to the bloc's larger members, including Germany.
The treaty is planned to replace the failed EU constitution, which was rejected by voters in 2005.The treaty is planned to replace the failed EU constitution, which was rejected by voters in 2005.
The leaders emerged from their overnight talks smiling to announce the results.The leaders emerged from their overnight talks smiling to announce the results.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said "we have a detailed and clear mandate for an inter-governmental conference" which will draft the actual treaty.German Chancellor Angela Merkel said "we have a detailed and clear mandate for an inter-governmental conference" which will draft the actual treaty.
"We are very, very satisfied with what we have been able to conclude.""We are very, very satisfied with what we have been able to conclude."
Ms Merkel said it had not been easy but in the end everyone had made concessions.Ms Merkel said it had not been easy but in the end everyone had made concessions.
Double majorityDouble majority
The President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, paid tribute to Ms Merkel and handed her a bunch of flowers.The President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, paid tribute to Ms Merkel and handed her a bunch of flowers.
"This shows that Europe is on the move, and on the move in the right direction.""This shows that Europe is on the move, and on the move in the right direction."
It gives us a chance to concentrate on the issues to do with the economy, organised crime, terrorism, immigration, defence, climate change, the environment, energy, the problems that really concern citizens in Europe Tony BlairUK Prime Minister It gives us a chance to concentrate on the issues... that really concern citizens in Europe Tony BlairUK Prime Minister class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/6232728.stm">Deal paves way forward
The IGC now has a precise mandate to draft a reform treaty by the end of the year, says the BBC's Oana Lungescu in Brussels.The IGC now has a precise mandate to draft a reform treaty by the end of the year, says the BBC's Oana Lungescu in Brussels.
This treaty will then need to be ratified by each of the EU's member states.This treaty will then need to be ratified by each of the EU's member states.
It will preserve many of the key features of the failed constitution, says our correspondent.It will preserve many of the key features of the failed constitution, says our correspondent.
Poland's demands for a radical rethink of the voting system - the summit's main stumbling block - were overcome by a compromise to delay the new system's implementation.Poland's demands for a radical rethink of the voting system - the summit's main stumbling block - were overcome by a compromise to delay the new system's implementation.
A "double majority" system will be phased-in beginning 2014 and fully implemented three years later.A "double majority" system will be phased-in beginning 2014 and fully implemented three years later.
Under this system, a 55% majority of EU countries with at least 65% of the bloc's population will be required for a change to be approved.Under this system, a 55% majority of EU countries with at least 65% of the bloc's population will be required for a change to be approved.
National controlNational control
Britain and the Netherlands also got what they wanted.Britain and the Netherlands also got what they wanted.
Tony Blair was more perky than anyone has a right to be at five in the morning BBC Europe editor Mark Mardell Mardell's thoughts in full Treaty 'good for UK' class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/4596005.stm">Q&A: Changing constitution "The four essential things that we in the UK required in order to protect our position have all been obtained," said Tony Blair at the end of his last EU summit as British Prime Minister. Tony Blair was more perky than anyone has a right to be at five in the morning BBC Europe editor Mark Mardell Mardell's thoughts in full Treaty 'good for UK'
"The four essential things that we in the UK required in order to protect our position have all been obtained," said Tony Blair at the end of his last EU summit as British Prime Minister.
"Those were first of all to make it absolutely clear that the charter on fundamental rights was not going to be justiciable in British courts or alter British law.""Those were first of all to make it absolutely clear that the charter on fundamental rights was not going to be justiciable in British courts or alter British law."
Mr Blair also wanted to maintain national control over foreign policy, justice and home affairs.Mr Blair also wanted to maintain national control over foreign policy, justice and home affairs.
He said the EU would now be able to focus on the issues facing the continent.He said the EU would now be able to focus on the issues facing the continent.
The deal, he said, "gives us a chance to concentrate on the issues to do with the economy, organised crime, terrorism, immigration, defence, climate change, the environment, energy, the problems that really concern citizens in Europe".The deal, he said, "gives us a chance to concentrate on the issues to do with the economy, organised crime, terrorism, immigration, defence, climate change, the environment, energy, the problems that really concern citizens in Europe".
The Netherlands too was satisfied that the role of national parliaments in Europe is to be strengthened and the criteria for new members joining the EU are included in the treaty.The Netherlands too was satisfied that the role of national parliaments in Europe is to be strengthened and the criteria for new members joining the EU are included in the treaty.
Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates announced that his government would open the IGC on the treaty in late July, after it takes over the EU's rotating presidency.Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates announced that his government would open the IGC on the treaty in late July, after it takes over the EU's rotating presidency.
The reforms to the EU will be far-reaching, say correspondents.The reforms to the EU will be far-reaching, say correspondents.
The treaty will create a full-time president who will lead the Council of Ministers, replacing the current system where members take six-month terms.The treaty will create a full-time president who will lead the Council of Ministers, replacing the current system where members take six-month terms.
There will be a new high representative for foreign affairs and the European Commission will be reduced.There will be a new high representative for foreign affairs and the European Commission will be reduced.
The reforms are considered essential to streamline the running of the bloc, which has increased greatly in size in recent years.The reforms are considered essential to streamline the running of the bloc, which has increased greatly in size in recent years.