Reform Treaty and the Key Institutions of the European Union - Essay Example

Reform Treaty and the Key s of the European Union The European Union is an organization in the European region that is composed of different countries that perceived the success of the region through concerted efforts in different aspects of governance specifically the economic aspect. The organization which was originally established as the European Community in 1951 with countries such as Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands was transformed into the European Union.1 Presently the EU is composed of twenty five nations. Included in these member nations are Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Basically, the union of the said countries is formalized on the basis of different aspects. Even through a flag and a currency the member nations are considered as one. The flag being a circle of 12 gold stars set on a blue background and euro being the official currency.2 The European Union is continuously being guided by the agreements and consensus of the different member nations. Due to the type of operation of the organization it is often referred to as a 'negotiated order' or a permanent negotiation institute' which is based in one decision making process that is undertaken to resolve different issues being faced by the organization. It is basically a common notion that one of the agenda of the said organization is the determination of the guidelines regarding decision making and consensus along with the application.3 In a consolidated view, it can be perceived that a constitution can be of advantageous effect if development can be undertaken. The said notion has both advantages and disadvantages, thus, there are opposing ideas that have proponents and critics. The view and conviction of the different groups and parties are based on the different effect that can be observed in the member nations.4 The EU is composed of different key institutions such as the Council of Ministers, the European Commission and the European Parliament. These are composed of different duties and jobs. When an issue is needed to be resolved the different institutions have different contributing duty. One of the issues that had recently been the issue being faced by the EU is the Reform Treaty. The said treaty is related to the issues on the establishment of the constitution for the whole EU. Basically, due to the fact that the EU is voting on the issues, the results of the vote were incorporated to the EU Reform Treaty. Aside form the said issue, there are other issues that are incorporated.5 The Reform Treaty then, which is aimed to be the guidelines and the guiding principles of the EU. Due to the specification of the policies the contradictions are inevitable. The importance then of the role being placed by the leaders of the said organization is the welfare of not only a nation but the whole region that had entrusted leadership to the EU. The highlights of the Reform Treaty include a no far reaching European constitution. Basically, this can be attributed to the fact that there are different criticisms that are faced. The majority voted against the notion, suggesting the Reform Treaty which was considered as a more practical solution since the changes compared to the policies that are being used is more utilizable. The Reform Treaty of 2007 had been a controversial event since the outlook of the people is the optimization of the organization through a constitution which was initiated and in even applied in 2004, although it had been expressed as a Constitutional Treaty. Basically, the policies needed ratification but through the Reform Treaty of 2007, changes had been undertaken.6 Basically the issues related to the Reform Treaty can be considered encompassing on the different aspects of the needs in governance of the region. These include then terms in leadership such as the policies in parliament, etc. The most important area of concern related to the member nations is the subsidiary. This can be considered as one of the subject matters that can provoke disagreements and discontent in certain instances. One of the important issues is the leadership. On the basis of the policies of the EU the leadership and governance can be affected. One of the positions that was changed and made clearer is the Foreign Minister which was referred to as the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Even the voting system has been continuously become the focus of the reforms of the Reform Theory. Reaffirmation of the 55 percent double majority is required to be able to create a vote. Another significant issue in relation to the Reform Treaty is the return of the policy making into amending treaties that are comparable to the Maastricht, Amsterdam and Nice completely rebuking the Constitutional Treaty.7 The state of the European Union after the Reform Treaty can be considered as one of the main issues in the 2007 on the basis that it dictates the future state of the organization in the international community. When the status of the EU is perceived, the majority can express a more established future. This can be attributed to the fact that the Constitution Treaty had created instability on the basis of different notions that are in the content. The attention of the members of EU with their anxiety increased when France and Netherlands objected in the establishment of the projected constitution (2005).8 Another issue of concern when it comes to the leadership in the EU is the power that the President of the European Council holds. The said position had been explained as a position that is responsible for the reporting of the state of the EU to the leaders of the member nations. But it can be analyzed as a power to decide on the welfare of the whole organization that is given to a single person that can have an independent notion of what is best for the organization than the decision that can be best for all. The democracy that had been projected to heed the needs of the member nations is then at stake. The basic reason that can be perceive is the immature proposition of a constitution when the member nations are still in need of continuous evaluation of the needs and capabilities of each nations. Also the original problems that are related to the integration of leadership of the different nations had not been resolved. On a greater view the journey of the EU towards a nation-state needs further evaluation. The forward action being able to mean that the setting up of a constitution is conventional but the step of going back to an organization ruled by treaties and agreements is a step back. Even the suggested halting of the flag and currency use has a negative effect on the stability of the EU. The view on a post-Reform Treaty EU can then be considered negative to the forward movement of the organization. On other hand, it is positive for the increase in understanding of the needs of the organization on the individual member nations. Conclusion Based on the study undertaken regarding the effect of the Reform Treaty on the leadership and the key institutions in the EU, it can be considered that it created a notion that the organization cannot be taken as a serious nation-state structure. By this, the consideration then for the refusal to establish law and constitution is the avoidance of the member nations to be lead and controlled by the organization totally. It is true that the concept of being absolute is a great challenge to apply specifically in an organization in which member cannot completely parallel the individual need with the synergistic need of the whole organization. That what is best for one is best for the whole body. Taking a turn about in the constitutional establishment has created a doubt due to the fact that the perceived direction of the EU, however hard and at times harmful and destructive to other members, can be ascertained as a step forward. Thus, the choice can only be between the welfare of the member nations and the whole organizations' welfare in the near future or the welfare in a short term basis. Based on the view regarding the present state of the EU, it can be considered that problems arising related to the Reform Treaty and other policies can be an indication of the need to further determine the structural organization needed by the EU to maintain stability. Reference Carrera, S. and Geyer, F. (2007). The Reform Treaty & Justice and Home Affairs: Implications for the common Area of Freedom, Security & Justice. CEPS Policy Brief, 141, August 2007. Dakolias, M. (2006). "Are We There Yet Measuring Success of Constitutional Reform." Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law, Vol. 39. Duff, A. (2007). A primer on the EU's Reform Treaty [online]. Available from: [Accessed 16 January 2008] Federal Union (2007). The New EU Reform Treaty [online]. Available from: [Accessed 12 January 2008] Read More