EU: Luca Jahier: New EU treaty is a small step forward for civil society

European leaders have finally agreed on the terms of EU?s controversial reform treaty. If all 27 member states ratify it the new treaty, that may become known as the ?Treaty of Lisbon?, will bring an end to Europe?s sixth-monthly presidencies, will ensure a more democratic decision making process and guarantee more say for the European and national parliaments.

Small steps for civil society
According to Luca Jahier, head of the International department of the European economic and social committee (EESC) and president of the Italian Christian Workers? Association (ACLI), the Treaty has made ?small steps? in the right direction. But he adds that: ?The European Union is still a construction site?. There is, says the EESC?s vice president, still much work to be done even though the agreement reached by the 27 EU countries at Lisbon ?brings an end to the Maastricht era?.

But what does the Treaty of Lisbon mean for European civil society? Jahier highlights that with the strengthening of the European parliament, EU citizens are likely to have a more important role. Further, increased power is to be allocated to two of Europe?s most important consultative chambers. One of these is the EESC, a consultative body that gives civil society a formal platform within the EU framework to express their views on EU issues. Finally, says Jahier, it is very important that the protocol has ?acknowledged the role that the social services play in European society?. But this, he adds, is still not enough.

Work still in progress
Many questions remain unanswered. European governments, for example, pushed for the simplification of the treaty?s text: this has resulted in a treaty with less body, but in seeking synthesis there has been a boomerang effect that has made the final text less and not more comprehensible than the one that was rejected by the French and the Dutch in the last referendum.

According to Jahier the legibility of the text is more than a purely formal matter. ?The EU is still incapable of appealing to its citizens. Europe?s educational challenge continues to be a an important issue that cannot be ignored?. Another important limit is posed by national political agendas. Even though the EU is promoted as a legal unit by the treaty, member states still allow their national agendas to take precedence, which slows down political action. ?Take the refusal to nominate a supra-Foreign minister? exemplifies Jahier, ?this shows that the will is behind keeping foreign policy a national priority and not making it a European one?. The final word? ?Finding consensus is an urgent priority in future choices?.

A chance to say your own!
In an article published on Vita Europe in June, Luca Jahier had called on European civil society to not miss out on the chance of having a say in the formulation of Europe?s new constitution. In particular he had urged organisations to move quickly and create intermediate bodies, on a European level, capable of directing governmental policies ? like the Ncvo (National Council for Voluntary Organisations) in the UK. But as the third sector answered his calls?

Let us know what you think. What will the Treaty of Lisbon mean for civil society? Let your voice be heard, write to staff@vitaeurope.org.

To read more about the EU reform treaty:
EU: The haggle over Europe goes on

For more info:
www.eesc.europa.eu