In an attempt to make the European Union (EU) more democratic and streamline its processes, the 2007 EU Lisbon Treaty was drafted to amend the current EU and European Commission treaties.

The 2007 EU Lisbon Treaty, also known as the Treaty of Lisbon is an amandment of the 1992 Maastricht Treaty on European Union, and the 1957 Rome Treaty establishing the European Community, which was signed by the European Union member states on December 13 2007, and became effective on December 2009.

Negotiations for the treaty began in 2001, which first in the European Constitution, which was rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005.

After renegotiations and some modifications, the Lisbon Treaty was agreed upon as an amendment of the existing Treaties. The treaty implemented many of the original reforms proposed in the European Constitution. The Lisbon Treaty was first rejected by the Irish electorate in 2008, but later accepted in a second referendum in 2009. Ireland, as required by its constitution, was the only member state to hold referendums on the Treaty. The Czech instrument of ratification was the last to be deposited in Rome on 13 November 2009. Therefore, the Treaty of Lisbon entered into force on 1 December 2009.

Main alterations by the Lisbon Treaty are:

• The introduction of a European Council President, with a 2½ year term, who effectively replaces the rotating presidency. Belgian Herman Van Rompuy was chosen as the first European Council President.
• The EU executive will be cut from 27 to 18 members as of 2014
• More double majority voting: Before the Lisbon treaty, each country held a veto for all decisions. With the new treaty, new areas of policy are decided by 'double majority' form 2014 on.
• Mutual solidarity: Similar to NATO, member states vow to be solidair if a member state is object of a terrorist attack or the victim of a natural or man-made disaster.
• Citizens' Initiative: an initiative is to be considered by the European Commission if a least 1 million citizens sign a petition.
• The European Parliament will have more power over EU legislation
• The Charter of Fundamental Rights will become legally binding

• BBC News: Q&A: The Lisbon Treaty (December 13, 2007)

• • Mahalo's Guide to the European Union
• Wikipedia: European Union
• Europa: History of the European Union
• BBC News: EU leaders sign landmark treaty (December 13, 2007)
• International Herald Tribune: "EU leaders, ... to sign bloc's new treaty" (December 12, 2007)
• Financial Times: "EU hopes for Lisbon treaty deal" (October 7, 2007)