The Lisbon Treaty -- What does it mean?

The Irish voting population has now, under great pressures, voted to accept the Lisbon Treaty. If the remaining holdouts: Poland and Czechoslovakia give in, which they are expected to do, the Treaty will go into effect on January 1, 2010.

Javier Solana promptly posted his subdued statement of appreciation to the Irish people for their vote:

"I am pleased the Lisbon Treaty has been approved by the Irish people. This will allow for a more united and efficient Europe that will be better able to defend the rights and interests of all the citizens and states of the European Union and play a greater role in the world. Today is an important day for Europe."

The British Telegraph has well described its ramifications. It also tells of the British sense of betrayal over Gordon Brown denying the Brits a chance to vote. Dutch and French voters formerly denied the EU Constitution. The "Lisbon Treaty" essentially accomplishes by binding treaty what the Constitution would have done.

Here is a portion of the British Telegraph September 9th report on British betrayal and Lisbon Treaty ramifications. You may read it in its entirety by clicking here:

HOW IS IT RELATED TO THE PLAN FOR A CONSTITUTION?

A written Constitution Treaty for the EU was drafted and agreed by Europe's leaders in June 2004. Tony Blair, the prime minister of the day, promised Britons a referendum on the text, to be the first popular British vote on Europe since 1975. But the original text was dropped after voters in France and the Netherlands rejected it in two referendums. The British vote was cancelled.

Two years later most of the Constitution's provisions were resurrected in the Lisbon Treaty, a document critics say is as much of a threat to national sovereignty as the old text would have been. In one of his first major decisions as prime minister, Gordon Brown broke Mr Blair's promise to hold a referendum on the new treaty.

WHEN DOES IT COME INTO EFFECT?

The treaty is intended to come into effect from the beginning of next year, but cannot do so unless all 27 member states have separately ratified it - making it binding by introducing its provisions into national law.

Even after the Irish "Yes" vote, two countries have yet to complete the formalities. Parliaments in both Poland and the Czech Republic have already approved the necessary legislation, but neither country's president has yet signed it.

In Poland, President Lech Kaczynski, an Tory-style Eurosceptic whose party is no longer in command of the parliament, is has been delaying his signing in the hope that Ireland would reject the treaty. He objects to the treaty because Poland will face a reduction in its votes on councils of ministers, while Germany gains.

Even so, he is widely expected now to sign within days.

Vaclav Klaus, the Czech president, who fears that the treaty tips the balance of sovereignty towards a European superstate, is more likely to continue to hold things up.

Defying both chambers of the Czech parliament, Mr Klaus has been accused of gambling with his country's economic future to make a minority political point.

Right-wing Czech senators, with links to the Tories, have lodged objections to the treaty with their country's constitutional court. The court may take between two and eight months to rule on them - giving Mr Klaus, egged on by his British and Czech supporters, the excuse to string things out.

Even so, Czech ministers have briefed EU officials that Mr Klaus will cave in and sign before the end of this year, enabling the treaty to enter into legal force in January.

It is a fair assumption that champagne corks were popping in Brussels quarters last night. I am suspecting that Javier Solana will suddenly re-evaluate his announced planned retirement. Whoever holds the office of EU Foreign Minister will be one very powerful personage. It is Javier Solana who has shaped that office. Right now, it appears doubtful to me that anybody would be able to digest the multi-tasked variable functions of that office to have it up and running at the speed Javier Solana has envisaged. Time and events will tell.

It is time for very serious reflection on all of our parts. May the Lord help us all!

Stay tuned!

CONSTANCE