WEB-EU-SUMMIT-TREATY

The new EU treaty aims to streamline the 27-nation bloc by avoiding terms like 'constitution' and 'federal superstate' that led to the rejection of the previous EU Constitution by France and the Netherlands. It introduces a permanent president and a High Commissioner for foreign policy, reduces the size of the European Commission, and simplifies the voting process. The treaty faced negotiations, particularly with Poland and Italy, over voting rights and parliamentary seats. It also introduces new policies on energy, global warming, and security, and includes a clause allowing countries to leave the EU. If ratified, it will take effect in 2009.

What was the main reason for avoiding terms like 'constitution' in the new EU treaty?

• To make the treaty more appealing to non-EU countries

• To avoid associations with the previously rejected EU Constitution

• To focus on economic rather than political integration

• To simplify the language for better understanding

What significant change was made to the EU presidency in the new treaty?

• The presidency will be shared among all member states

• The presidency will be abolished

• A permanent president will be elected for 2 1/2 years

• The presidency will rotate every three months

What role does the High Commissioner play in the new EU structure?

• Overseeing economic policies

• Managing internal EU affairs

• Leading foreign policy initiatives

• Supervising environmental regulations

Which country threatened to veto the treaty if its voting rights were not protected?

• Spain

• France

• Poland

• Germany

What new policies are introduced in the EU treaty?

• Policies on energy, global warming, and security

• Policies on trade and commerce

• Policies on education and healthcare

• Policies on immigration and border control