Results for “institutional framework”
Lisbon Treaty
The Treaty of Lisbon is a European agreement that amends the constitutional basis of the European Union (EU), enhancing its institutions, decision-making processes, and external action. ## Overview The Treaty of Lisbon is a significant development in the history of the European Union, marking a major step towards greater integration and unity among its member states. The treaty's primary objective is to strengthen the EU's institutions, decision-making processes, and external action, making it more effective and efficient in addressing the challenges of the 21st century. The treaty also aims to enhance the EU's role in global affairs, promote economic growth, and protect the rights of its citizens. The Lisbon Treaty builds upon the two existing treaties that form the constitutional basis of the EU: the Treaty on European Union (TEU) and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). The TEU sets out the EU's principles, values, and objectives, while the TFEU establishes the EU's policies and procedures for achieving its goals. The Lisbon Treaty amends both treaties, introducing significant changes to the EU's institutional framework, decision-making processes, and external action. ## History/Background The idea of a new treaty to reform the EU's institutions and decision-making processes dates back to the early 2000s. In 2004, the European Convention, a group of experts and politicians, was established to draft a new treaty. The Convention's proposals were then discussed and negotiated by EU leaders, resulting in the signing of the Treaty of Lisbon on 13 December 2007. The treaty entered into force on 1 December 2009, after ratification by all 27 EU member states. The Lisbon Treaty's development was marked by significant challenges and controversies. Some member states, such as the United Kingdom and Poland, expressed concerns about the treaty's potential impact on their national sovereignty and the EU's institutional balance. The treaty's ratification process was also delayed due to the need for national parliaments to approve the treaty. ## Key Information The Lisbon Treaty introduces several key changes to the EU's institutional framework: * **Enhanced powers for the European Parliament**: The treaty increases the European Parliament's powers, making it a co-equal institution with the European Council and the Council of the European Union. * **Reform of the European Commission**: The treaty introduces a new system for selecting the European Commission's President, making it more accountable to the European Parliament. * **Creation of the European External Action Service**: The treaty establishes a new European External Action Service (EEAS), which will provide a single diplomatic service for the EU. * **Enhanced cooperation**: The treaty introduces a new system for enhanced cooperation among EU member states, allowing them to work together on specific issues without affecting the rest of the EU. The Lisbon Treaty also introduces significant changes to the EU's decision-making processes: * **Qualified majority voting**: The treaty introduces a new system of qualified majority voting (QMV) in the Council of the European Union, making it easier for the EU to take decisions on key issues. * **Extension of QMV**: The treaty extends QMV to new areas, such as environmental and social policy. ## Significance The Lisbon Treaty is a significant development in the history of the European Union, marking a major step towards greater integration and unity among its member states. The treaty's reforms aim to make the EU more effective and efficient in addressing the challenges of the 21st century, such as climate change, economic crisis, and migration. The Lisbon Treaty's significance extends beyond the EU's internal affairs. The treaty's reforms aim to enhance the EU's role in global affairs, making it a more effective and influential player in international relations. The treaty's creation of the European External Action Service and the extension of QMV to new areas are key examples of this ambition. INFOBOX: - Name: Treaty of Lisbon - Type: European Union treaty - Date: 13 December 2007 (signed), 1 December 2009 (entered into force) - Location: Brussels, Belgium - Known For: Enhancing the EU's institutions, decision-making processes, and external action TAGS: European Union, Treaty of Lisbon, EU reform, institutional framework, decision-making processes, external action, European External Action Service, qualified majority voting, climate change, economic crisis, migration, international relations.
Economics & BusinessMercosur
Mercosur is a South American trade bloc established by the Treaty of Asunción in 1991 and the Protocol of Ouro Preto in 1994, aiming to promote economic integration and cooperation among its member states. **Mercosur** is the Southern Common Market, a regional economic organization that comprises five full member states: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Venezuela is also a full member but has been suspended since December 1, 2016. The trade bloc was established by the Treaty of Asunción on March 26, 1991, and the Protocol of Ouro Preto on December 17, 1994, which provided the framework for the creation of a common market among its member states. The main objective of Mercosur is to promote economic integration and cooperation among its member states, by eliminating tariffs and other trade barriers, and establishing a common external tariff. The trade bloc has a population of over 260 million people and a combined GDP of over $2.5 trillion, making it one of the largest economic blocs in the world. The creation of Mercosur was a response to the need for greater economic integration and cooperation among the countries of the region. In the 1980s, the countries of South America were facing significant economic challenges, including high inflation, large trade deficits, and slow economic growth. The establishment of Mercosur was seen as a way to promote economic development and stability in the region, by creating a large and integrated market that could attract foreign investment and promote trade. The trade bloc has made significant progress in recent years, with the elimination of most tariffs and other trade barriers among its member states, and the establishment of a common external tariff. The institutional framework of Mercosur is based on the Treaty of Asunción and the Protocol of Ouro Preto. The trade bloc has a number of institutions, including the Council of the Common Market, the Common Market Group, and the Trade Commission. These institutions are responsible for promoting the objectives of Mercosur, including the elimination of tariffs and other trade barriers, and the establishment of a common external tariff. Mercosur also has a number of associate member states, including Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Panama, Peru, and Suriname, which participate in the trade bloc's activities but are not full members. ## History The history of Mercosur dates back to the 1980s, when the countries of South America began to explore the possibility of creating a regional economic organization. In 1985, the presidents of Argentina and Brazil signed the Iguaçu Declaration, which called for the creation of a regional economic organization that would promote economic integration and cooperation among the countries of the region. The declaration was followed by a series of meetings and negotiations among the countries of the region, which led to the signing of the Treaty of Asunción in 1991. The treaty established the framework for the creation of a common market among the member states, and provided for the elimination of tariffs and other trade barriers. The Protocol of Ouro Preto, which was signed in 1994, provided additional details on the institutional framework of Mercosur and the rules for the common market. ## Economy The economy of Mercosur is diverse and complex, with a range of industries and sectors. The trade bloc has a combined GDP of over $2.5 trillion, making it one of the largest economic blocs in the world. The economy of Mercosur is driven by a number of key sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, and services. The trade bloc is a significant producer of agricultural products, including soybeans, corn, and wheat, and is also a major producer of manufactured goods, including automobiles, textiles, and electronics. The services sector is also an important part of the economy of Mercosur, with a number of key industries, including finance, tourism, and logistics. ## Membership The membership of Mercosur is currently composed of five full member states: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Venezuela is also a full member but has been suspended since December 1, 2016. The trade bloc also has a number of associate member states, including Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Panama, Peru, and Suriname. These countries participate in the activities of Mercosur but are not full members. The criteria for membership in Mercosur are set out in the Treaty of Asunción and the Protocol of Ouro Preto, and include a commitment to the principles of economic integration and cooperation. ## Criticism and Challenges Despite its successes, Mercosur has faced a number of challenges and criticisms over the years. One of the main challenges facing the trade bloc is the need to balance the interests of its member states, which have different economic and political priorities. The trade bloc has also faced criticism for its slow pace of integration, with some member states arguing that the process of economic integration has been too slow. Additionally, Mercosur has faced challenges from external factors, including the global economic crisis of 2008 and the rise of protectionism in some countries. The trade bloc has also faced criticism for its lack of transparency and accountability, with some critics arguing that the decision-making process is not transparent enough. ### Sub-Regional Integration Mercosur has also been involved in sub-regional integration initiatives, including the creation of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). These initiatives aim to promote economic and political integration among the countries of the region, and have been seen as a way to promote the objectives of Mercosur. INFOBOX: - Name: Mercosur - Type: Regional economic organization - Date: March 26, 1991 - Location: South America - Known For: Promoting economic integration and cooperation among its member states TAGS: Mercosur, South America, economic integration, trade bloc, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Venezuela, regional economic organization, common market, tariffs, trade barriers, economic development, stability, foreign investment, trade, associate member states, institutional framework, Council of the Common Market, Common Market Group, Trade Commission.