Lisbon Treaty — Disapproves of the government's policy towards the Lisbon Treaty with regards to foreign affairs — rejected — 20 Feb 2008 at 16:15

The majority No voters rejected an amendment^[1] that disapproved of the Government's policy towards the Treaty of Lisbon in respect of provisions concerning foreign, security and defence policy. In particular, the Aye voters argued that it would not always be the case that all European member states would share the same foreign policy and that therefore the Government's policy towards the Lisbon Treaty was against the "national interest".

In the debate David Miliband MP argued that:^[2]

• 'The treaty does not, repeat not, change the fundamental nature of common foreign and security policy co-operation. That continues to be covered in a separate treaty, subject—as is stated in the treaty for the first time—to "specific rules and procedures". The treaty includes an article—again, it appears for the first time—underlining those distinct arrangements: unanimity as the general rule so a veto for all countries, no legislative acts, and a limited role for Community institutions.'

However, William Hague MP thought that the Lisbon Treaty gave more power to the European Union over foreign policy:^[3]

• 'the existence of the high representative, the renamed Foreign Minister, and the simultaneous membership of the European Commission for the person holding that post; the appointment of the high representative by qualified majority voting; the extension of QMV to proposals made by the high representative and the design of the EU diplomatic service; the creation of the new EU foreign policy fund; the requirement on Britain and France to invite the high representative to present the EU's case at the UN Security Council when a common position has been determined; the creation of a single legal personality for the EU; and a series of defence commitments, including a mutual defence commitment and so-called permanent structured co-operation.'

The main aims of the Lisbon Treaty were to^[4]:

• Streamline EU institutions
• Establish a permanent President of the European Council (as of 16 March 2010 held by Herman Van Rompuy)
• Establish the post of High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (as of 16 March 2010 held by Catherine Ashton)
• Give new powers to the EU over justice and home affairs
• Remove the national veto in some areas such as energy security and emergency aid

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• [1] William Hague MP, House of Commons, 20 February 2008
• [2] David Miliband MP, House of Commons, 20 February 2008
• [3] William Hague MP, House of Commons, 20 February 2008
• [4] BBC News Q&A: The Lisbon Treaty, 5 February 2010

Debate in Parliament | Source |