Treaty of Lisbon amending the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty establishing the European Community, signed at Lisbon, 13 December 2007 - Main contents

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 306/1

The preamble shall be amended as follows:

Article 1 shall be amended as follows:

The following Article 1a shall be inserted:

‘Article 1a

The Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. These values are common to the Member States in a society in which pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality between women and men prevail.’.

Article 2 shall be replaced by the following:

‘Article 2

• 1. 

  The Union's aim is to promote peace, its values and the well-being of its peoples.

• 2. 

  The Union shall offer its citizens an area of freedom, security and justice without internal frontiers, in which the free movement of persons is ensured in conjunction with appropriate measures with respect to external border controls, asylum, immigration and the prevention and combating of crime.

• 3. 

  The Union shall establish an internal market. It shall work for the sustainable development of Europe based on balanced economic growth and price stability, a highly competitive social market economy, aiming at full employment and social progress, and a high level of protection and improvement of the quality of the environment. It shall promote scientific and technological advance.

It shall combat social exclusion and discrimination, and shall promote social justice and protection, equality between women and men, solidarity between generations and protection of the rights of the child.

It shall promote economic, social and territorial cohesion, and solidarity among Member States.

It shall respect its rich cultural and linguistic diversity, and shall ensure that Europe's cultural heritage is safeguarded and enhanced.

• 4. 

  The Union shall establish an economic and monetary union whose currency is the euro.

• 5. 

  In its relations with the wider world, the Union shall uphold and promote its values and interests and contribute to the protection of its citizens. It shall contribute to peace, security, the sustainable development of the Earth, solidarity and mutual respect among peoples, free and fair trade, eradication of poverty and the protection of human rights, in particular the rights of the child, as well as to the strict observance and the development of international law, including respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter.

• 6. 

  The Union shall pursue its objectives by appropriate means commensurate with the competences which are conferred upon it in the Treaties.’.

Article 3 shall be repealed, and the following Article 3a shall be inserted:

‘Article 3a

• 1. 

  In accordance with Article 3b, competences not conferred upon the Union in the Treaties remain with the Member States.

• 2. 

  The Union shall respect the equality of Member States before the Treaties as well as their national identities, inherent in their fundamental structures, political and constitutional, inclusive of regional and local self-government. It shall respect their essential State functions, including ensuring the territorial integrity of the State, maintaining law and order and safeguarding national security. In particular, national security remains the sole responsibility of each Member State.

• 3. 

  Pursuant to the principle of sincere cooperation, the Union and the Member States shall, in full mutual respect, assist each other in carrying out tasks which flow from the Treaties.

The Member States shall take any appropriate measure, general or particular, to ensure fulfilment of the obligations arising out of the Treaties or resulting from the acts of the institutions of the Union.

The Member States shall facilitate the achievement of the Union's tasks and refrain from any measure which could jeopardise the attainment of the Union's objectives.’.

The following Article 3b shall be inserted, replacing Article 5 of the Treaty establishing the European Community:

‘Article 3b

• 1. 

  The limits of Union competences are governed by the principle of conferral. The use of Union competences is governed by the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality.

• 2. 

  Under the principle of conferral, the Union shall act only within the limits of the competences conferred upon it by the Member States in the Treaties to attain the objectives set out therein. Competences not conferred upon the Union in the Treaties remain with the Member States.

• 3. 

  Under the principle of subsidiarity, in areas which do not fall within its exclusive competence, the Union shall act only if and insofar as the objectives of the proposed action cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States, either at central level or at regional and local level, but can rather, by reason of the scale or effects of the proposed action, be better achieved at Union level.

The institutions of the Union shall apply the principle of subsidiarity as laid down in the Protocol on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality. National Parliaments ensure compliance with the principle of subsidiarity in accordance with the procedure set out in that Protocol.

• 4. 

  Under the principle of proportionality, the content and form of Union action shall not exceed what is necessary to achieve the objectives of the Treaties.

The institutions of the Union shall apply the principle of proportionality as laid down in the Protocol on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality.’.

Articles 4 and 5 shall be repealed.

Article 6 shall be replaced by the following:

‘Article 6

• 1. 

  The Union recognises the rights, freedoms and principles set out in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union of 7 December 2000, as adapted at Strasbourg, on 12 December 2007, which shall have the same legal value as the Treaties.

The provisions of the Charter shall not extend in any way the competences of the Union as defined in the Treaties.

The rights, freedoms and principles in the Charter shall be interpreted in accordance with the general provisions in Title VII of the Charter governing its interpretation and application and with due regard to the explanations referred to in the Charter, that set out the sources of those provisions.

• 2. 

  The Union shall accede to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. Such accession shall not affect the Union's competences as defined in the Treaties.

• 3. 

  Fundamental rights, as guaranteed by the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and as they result from the constitutional traditions common to the Member States, shall constitute general principles of the Union's law.’

Article 7 shall be amended as follows:

The following new Article 7a shall be inserted:

‘Article 7a

• 1. 

  The Union shall develop a special relationship with neighbouring countries, aiming to establish an area of prosperity and good neighbourliness, founded on the values of the Union and characterised by close and peaceful relations based on cooperation.

• 2. 

  For the purposes of paragraph 1, the Union may conclude specific agreements with the countries concerned. These agreements may contain reciprocal rights and obligations as well as the possibility of undertaking activities jointly. Their implementation shall be the subject of periodic consultation.’.

The provisions of Title II shall be incorporated into the Treaty establishing the European Community, as amended elsewhere, which shall become the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

Title II and Article 8 shall be replaced by the following new heading and new Articles 8 to 8 C:

‘TITLE II

PROVISIONS ON DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES

Article 8

In all its activities, the Union shall observe the principle of the equality of its citizens, who shall receive equal attention from its institutions, bodies, offices and agencies. Every national of a Member State shall be a citizen of the Union. Citizenship of the Union shall be additional to national citizenship and shall not replace it.

Article 8 A

• 1. 

  The functioning of the Union shall be founded on representative democracy.

• 2. 

  Citizens are directly represented at Union level in the European Parliament.

Member States are represented in the European Council by their Heads of State or Government and in the Council by their governments, themselves democratically accountable either to their national Parliaments, or to their citizens.

• 3. 

  Every citizen shall have the right to participate in the democratic life of the Union. Decisions shall be taken as openly and as closely as possible to the citizen.

• 4. 

  Political parties at European level contribute to forming European political awareness and to expressing the will of citizens of the Union.

Article 8 B

• 1. 

  The institutions shall, by appropriate means, give citizens and representative associations the opportunity to make known and publicly exchange their views in all areas of Union action.

• 2. 

  The institutions shall maintain an open, transparent and regular dialogue with representative associations and civil society.

• 3. 

  The European Commission shall carry out broad consultations with parties concerned in order to ensure that the Union's actions are coherent and transparent.

• 4. 

  Not less than one million citizens who are nationals of a significant number of Member States may take the initiative of inviting the European Commission, within the framework of its powers, to submit any appropriate proposal on matters where citizens consider that a legal act of the Union is required for the purpose of implementing the Treaties.

The procedures and conditions required for such a citizens' initiative shall be determined in accordance with the first paragraph of Article 21 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

Article 8 C

National Parliaments contribute actively to the good functioning of the Union:

The provisions of Title III shall be repealed. Title III shall be replaced by the following heading:

Article 9 shall be replaced by the following:

‘Article 9

• 1. 

  The Union shall have an institutional framework which shall aim to promote its values, advance its objectives, serve its interests, those of its citizens and those of the Member States, and ensure the consistency, effectiveness and continuity of its policies and actions.

The Union's institutions shall be:

• 2. 

  Each institution shall act within the limits of the powers conferred on it in the Treaties, and in conformity with the procedures, conditions and objectives set out in them. The institutions shall practice mutual sincere cooperation.

• 3. 

  The provisions relating to the European Central Bank and the Court of Auditors and detailed provisions on the other institutions are set out in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

• 4. 

  The European Parliament, the Council and the Commission shall be assisted by an Economic and Social Committee and a Committee of the Regions acting in an advisory capacity.’.

An Article 9 A shall be inserted:

‘Article 9 A

• 1. 

  The European Parliament shall, jointly with the Council, exercise legislative and budgetary functions. It shall exercise functions of political control and consultation as laid down in the Treaties. It shall elect the President of the Commission.

• 2. 

  The European Parliament shall be composed of representatives of the Union's citizens. They shall not exceed seven hundred and fifty in number, plus the President. Representation of citizens shall be degressively proportional, with a minimum threshold of six members per Member State. No Member State shall be allocated more than ninety-six seats.

The European Council shall adopt by unanimity, on the initiative of the European Parliament and with its consent, a decision establishing the composition of the European Parliament, respecting the principles referred to in the first subparagraph.

• 3. 

  The members of the European Parliament shall be elected for a term of five years by direct universal suffrage in a free and secret ballot.

• 4. 

  The European Parliament shall elect its President and its officers from among its members.’.

An Article 9 B shall be inserted:

‘Article 9 B

• 1. 

  The European Council shall provide the Union with the necessary impetus for its development and shall define the general political directions and priorities thereof. It shall not exercise legislative functions.

• 2. 

  The European Council shall consist of the Heads of State or Government of the Member States, together with its President and the President of the Commission. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy shall take part in its work.

• 3. 

  The European Council shall meet twice every six months, convened by its President. When the agenda so requires, the members of the European Council may decide each to be assisted by a minister and, in the case of the President of the Commission, by a member of the Commission. When the situation so requires, the President shall convene a special meeting of the European Council.

• 4. 

  Except where the Treaties provide otherwise, decisions of the European Council shall be taken by consensus.

• 5. 

  The European Council shall elect its President, by a qualified majority, for a term of two and a half years, renewable once. In the event of an impediment or serious misconduct, the European Council can end the President's term of office in accordance with the same procedure.

• 6. 

  The President of the European Council:

The President of the European Council shall, at his level and in that capacity, ensure the external representation of the Union on issues concerning its common foreign and security policy, without prejudice to the powers of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

The President of the European Council shall not hold a national office.’.

An Article 9 C shall be inserted:

‘Article 9 C

• 1. 

  The Council shall, jointly with the European Parliament, exercise legislative and budgetary functions. It shall carry out policy-making and coordinating functions as laid down in the Treaties.

• 2. 

  The Council shall consist of a representative of each Member State at ministerial level, who may commit the government of the Member State in question and cast its vote.

• 3. 

  The Council shall act by a qualified majority except where the Treaties provide otherwise.

• 4. 

  As from 1 November 2014, a qualified majority shall be defined as at least 55 % of the members of the Council, comprising at least fifteen of them and representing Member States comprising at least 65 % of the population of the Union.

A blocking minority must include at least four Council members, failing which the qualified majority shall be deemed attained.

The other arrangements governing the qualified majority are laid down in Article 205(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

• 5. 

  The transitional provisions relating to the definition of the qualified majority which shall be applicable until 31 October 2014 and those which shall be applicable from 1 November 2014 to 31 March 2017 are laid down in the Protocol on transitional provisions.

• 6. 

  The Council shall meet in different configurations, the list of which shall be adopted in accordance with Article 201b of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

The General Affairs Council shall ensure consistency in the work of the different Council configurations. It shall prepare and ensure the follow-up to meetings of the European Council, in liaison with the President of the European Council and the Commission.

The Foreign Affairs Council shall elaborate the Union's external action on the basis of strategic guidelines laid down by the European Council and ensure that the Union's action is consistent.

• 7. 

  A Committee of Permanent Representatives of the Governments of the Member States shall be responsible for preparing the work of the Council.

• 8. 

  The Council shall meet in public when it deliberates and votes on a draft legislative act. To this end, each Council meeting shall be divided into two parts, dealing respectively with deliberations on Union legislative acts and non-legislative activities.

• 9. 

  The Presidency of Council configurations, other than that of Foreign Affairs, shall be held by Member State representatives in the Council on the basis of equal rotation, in accordance with the conditions established in accordance with Article 201b of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.’

An Article 9 D shall be inserted:

‘Article 9 D

• 1. 

  The Commission shall promote the general interest of the Union and take appropriate initiatives to that end. It shall ensure the application of the Treaties, and of measures adopted by the institutions pursuant to them. It shall oversee the application of Union law under the control of the Court of Justice of the European Union. It shall execute the budget and manage programmes. It shall exercise coordinating, executive and management functions, as laid down in the Treaties. With the exception of the common foreign and security policy, and other cases provided for in the Treaties, it shall ensure the Union's external representation. It shall initiate the Union's annual and multiannual programming with a view to achieving interinstitutional agreements.

• 2. 

  Union legislative acts may only be adopted on the basis of a Commission proposal, except where the Treaties provide otherwise. Other acts shall be adopted on the basis of a Commission proposal where the Treaties so provide.

• 3. 

  The Commission's term of office shall be five years.

The members of the Commission shall be chosen on the ground of their general competence and European commitment from persons whose independence is beyond doubt.

In carrying out its responsibilities, the Commission shall be completely independent. Without prejudice to Article 9 E(2), the members of the Commission shall neither seek nor take instructions from any Government or other institution, body, office or entity. They shall refrain from any action incompatible with their duties or the performance of their tasks.

• 4. 

  The Commission appointed between the date of entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon and 31 October 2014 shall consist of one national of each Member State, including its President and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy who shall be one of its Vice-Presidents.

• 5. 

  As from 1 November 2014, the Commission shall consist of a number of members, including its President and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, corresponding to two thirds of the number of Member States, unless the European Council, acting unanimously, decides to alter this number.

The members of the Commission shall be chosen from among the nationals of the Member States on the basis of a system of strictly equal rotation between the Member States, reflecting the demographic and geographical range of all the Member States. This system shall be established unanimously by the European Council in accordance with Article 211a of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

• 6. 

  The President of the Commission shall:

A member of the Commission shall resign if the President so requests. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy shall resign, in accordance with the procedure set out in Article 9 E(1), if the President so requests.

• 7. 

  Taking into account the elections to the European Parliament and after having held the appropriate consultations, the European Council, acting by a qualified majority, shall propose to the European Parliament a candidate for President of the Commission. This candidate shall be elected by the European Parliament by a majority of its component members. If he does not obtain the required majority, the European Council, acting by a qualified majority, shall within one month propose a new candidate who shall be elected by the European Parliament following the same procedure.

The Council, by common accord with the President-elect, shall adopt the list of the other persons whom it proposes for appointment as members of the Commission. They shall be selected, on the basis of the suggestions made by Member States, in accordance with the criteria set out in paragraph 3, second subparagraph, and paragraph 5, second subparagraph.

The President, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the other members of the Commission shall be subject as a body to a vote of consent by the European Parliament. On the basis of this consent the Commission shall be appointed by the European Council, acting by a qualified majority.

• 8. 

  The Commission, as a body, shall be responsible to the European Parliament. In accordance with Article 201 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the European Parliament may vote on a motion of censure of the Commission. If such a motion is carried, the members of the Commission shall resign as a body and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy shall resign from the duties that he carries out in the Commission.’

The following new Article 9 E shall be inserted:

‘Article 9 E

• 1. 

  The European Council, acting by a qualified majority, with the agreement of the President of the Commission, shall appoint the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The European Council may end his term of office by the same procedure.

• 2. 

  The High Representative shall conduct the Union's common foreign and security policy. He shall contribute by his proposals to the development of that policy, which he shall carry out as mandated by the Council. The same shall apply to the common security and defence policy.

• 3. 

  The High Representative shall preside over the Foreign Affairs Council.

• 4. 

  The High Representative shall be one of the Vice-Presidents of the Commission. He shall ensure the consistency of the Union's external action. He shall be responsible within the Commission for responsibilities incumbent on it in external relations and for coordinating other aspects of the Union's external action. In exercising these responsibilities within the Commission, and only for these responsibilities, the High Representative shall be bound by Commission procedures to the extent that this is consistent with paragraphs 2 and 3.’.

An Article 9 F shall be inserted:

‘Article 9 F

• 1. 

  The Court of Justice of the European Union shall include the Court of Justice, the General Court and specialised courts. It shall ensure that in the interpretation and application of the Treaties the law is observed.

Member States shall provide remedies sufficient to ensure effective legal protection in the fields covered by Union law.

• 2. 

  The Court of Justice shall consist of one judge from each Member State. It shall be assisted by Advocates-General.

The General Court shall include at least one judge per Member State.

The judges and the Advocates-General of the Court of Justice and the judges of the General Court shall be chosen from persons whose independence is beyond doubt and who satisfy the conditions set out in Articles 223 and 224 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. They shall be appointed by common accord of the governments of the Member States for six years. Retiring judges and Advocates-General may be reappointed.

• 3. 

  The Court of Justice of the European Union shall, in accordance with the Treaties:

The provisions of Title IV shall be incorporated into the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, as amended elsewhere.

Title IV shall take over the heading of Title VII, ‘PROVISIONS ON ENHANCED COOPERATION’ and Articles 27 A to 27 E, Articles 40 to 40b and Articles 43 to 45 shall be replaced by the following Article 10, which shall also replace Articles 11 and 11a of the Treaty establishing the European Community. These same articles shall also be replaced by Articles 280 A to 280 I of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, as set out below in point 278 of Article 2 of this Treaty:

‘Article 10

• 1. 

  Member States which wish to establish enhanced cooperation between themselves within the framework of the Union's non-exclusive competences may make use of its institutions and exercise those competences by applying the relevant provisions of the Treaties, subject to the limits and in accordance with the detailed arrangements laid down in this Article and in Articles 280 A to 280 I of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

Enhanced cooperation shall aim to further the objectives of the Union, protect its interests and reinforce its integration process. Such cooperation shall be open at any time to all Member States, in accordance with Article 280 C of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

• 2. 

  The decision authorising enhanced cooperation shall be adopted by the Council as a last resort, when it has established that the objectives of such cooperation cannot be attained within a reasonable period by the Union as a whole, and provided that at least nine Member States participate in it. The Council shall act in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 280 D of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

• 3. 

  All members of the Council may participate in its deliberations, but only members of the Council representing the Member States participating in enhanced cooperation shall take part in the vote. The voting rules are set out in Article 280 E of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

• 4. 

  Acts adopted in the framework of enhanced cooperation shall bind only participating Member States. They shall not be regarded as part of the acquis which has to be accepted by candidate States for accession to the Union.’

Title V shall be renamed as follows: ‘GENERAL PROVISIONS ON THE UNION'S EXTERNAL ACTION AND SPECIFIC PROVISIONS ON THE COMMON FOREIGN AND SECURITY POLICY’.

The following new Chapter 1 and Articles 10 A and 10 B shall be inserted:

‘CHAPTER 1

GENERAL PROVISIONS ON THE UNION'S EXTERNAL ACTION

Article 10 A

• 1. 

  The Union's action on the international scene shall be guided by the principles which have inspired its own creation, development and enlargement, and which it seeks to advance in the wider world: democracy, the rule of law, the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for human dignity, the principles of equality and solidarity, and respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law.

The Union shall seek to develop relations and build partnerships with third countries, and international, regional or global organisations which share the principles referred to in the first subparagraph. It shall promote multilateral solutions to common problems, in particular in the framework of the United Nations.

• 2. 

  The Union shall define and pursue common policies and actions, and shall work for a high degree of cooperation in all fields of international relations, in order to:

• 3. 

  The Union shall respect the principles and pursue the objectives set out in paragraphs 1 and 2 in the development and implementation of the different areas of the Union's external action covered by this Title and by Part Five of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and of the external aspects of its other policies.

The Union shall ensure consistency between the different areas of its external action and between these and its other policies. The Council and the Commission, assisted by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, shall ensure that consistency and shall cooperate to that effect.

Article 10 B

• 1. 

  On the basis of the principles and objectives set out in Article 10 A, the European Council shall identify the strategic interests and objectives of the Union.

Decisions of the European Council on the strategic interests and objectives of the Union shall relate to the common foreign and security policy and to other areas of the external action of the Union. Such decisions may concern the relations of the Union with a specific country or region or may be thematic in approach. They shall define their duration, and the means to be made available by the Union and the Member States.

The European Council shall act unanimously on a recommendation from the Council, adopted by the latter under the arrangements laid down for each area. Decisions of the European Council shall be implemented in accordance with the procedures provided for in the Treaties.

• 2. 

  The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, for the area of common foreign and security policy, and the Commission, for other areas of external action, may submit joint proposals to the Council.’.

The following headings shall be inserted:

The following new Article 10 C shall be inserted:

‘Article 10 C

The Union's action on the international scene, pursuant to this Chapter, shall be guided by the principles, shall pursue the objectives of, and be conducted in accordance with, the general provisions laid down in Chapter 1.’.

Article 11 shall be amended as follows:

Article 12 shall be replaced by the following:

‘Article 12

The Union shall conduct the common foreign and security policy by:

Article 13 shall be amended as follows:

The following new Article 13a shall be inserted:

‘Article 13a

• 1. 

  The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who shall chair the Foreign Affairs Council, shall contribute through his proposals towards the preparation of the common foreign and security policy and shall ensure implementation of the decisions adopted by the European Council and the Council.

• 2. 

  The High Representative shall represent the Union for matters relating to the common foreign and security policy. He shall conduct political dialogue with third parties on the Union's behalf and shall express the Union's position in international organisations and at international conferences.

• 3. 

  In fulfilling his mandate, the High Representative shall be assisted by a European External Action Service. This service shall work in cooperation with the diplomatic services of the Member States and shall comprise officials from relevant departments of the General Secretariat of the Council and of the Commission as well as staff seconded from national diplomatic services of the Member States. The organisation and functioning of the European External Action Service shall be established by a decision of the Council. The Council shall act on a proposal from the High Representative after consulting the European Parliament and after obtaining the consent of the Commission.’.

Article 14 shall be amended as follows:

At the beginning of Article 15, the words ‘The Council shall adopt common positions. Common positions shall define’ shall be replaced by ‘The Council shall adopt decisions which shall define’ and at the end of the Article the words ‘common positions’ shall be replaced by ‘Union positions’.

An Article 15a shall be inserted, with the text of Article 22, with the following amendments:

An Article 15b shall be inserted, with the text of Article 23, with the following amendments:

Article 16 shall be amended as follows:

The text of Article 17 shall become Article 28 A, it shall be amended as set out below in point 49.

Article 18 shall be amended as follows:

Article 19 shall be amended as follows:

Article 20 shall be amended as follows:

Article 21 shall be amended as follows:

The text of Article 22 shall become Article 15a; it shall be amended as set out above in point 33.

The text of Article 23 shall become Article 15b; it shall be amended as set out above in point 34.

Article 24 shall be replaced by the following:

‘Article 24

The Union may conclude agreements with one or more States or international organisations in areas covered by this Chapter.’.

Article 25 shall be amended as follows:

Articles 26 and 27 shall be repealed. The following Articles 25a and 25b shall be inserted, with Article 25b replacing Article 47:

‘Article 25a

In accordance with Article 16 B of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and by way of derogation from paragraph 2 thereof, the Council shall adopt a decision laying down the rules relating to the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Member States when carrying out activities which fall within the scope of this Chapter, and the rules relating to the free movement of such data. Compliance with these rules shall be subject to the control of independent authorities.

Article 25b

The implementation of the common foreign and security policy shall not affect the application of the procedures and the extent of the powers of the institutions laid down by the Treaties for the exercise of the Union competences referred to in Articles 2 B to 2 E of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

Similarly, the implementation of the policies listed in those Articles shall not affect the application of the procedures and the extent of the powers of the institutions laid down by the Treaties for the exercise of the Union competences under this Chapter.’.

Articles 27 A to 27 E, on enhanced cooperation, shall be replaced by Article 10 in accordance with point 22 above.

Article 28 shall be amended as follows:

The following new section 2 shall be inserted:

An Article 28 A shall be inserted, taking over the wording of Article 17, with the following amendments:

The following new Articles 28 B to 28 E shall be inserted:

‘Article 28 B

• 1. 

  The tasks referred to in Article 28 A(1), in the course of which the Union may use civilian and military means, shall include joint disarmament operations, humanitarian and rescue tasks, military advice and assistance tasks, conflict prevention and peace-keeping tasks, tasks of combat forces in crisis management, including peace-making and post-conflict stabilisation. All these tasks may contribute to the fight against terrorism, including by supporting third countries in combating terrorism in their territories.

• 2. 

  The Council shall adopt decisions relating to the tasks referred to in paragraph 1, defining their objectives and scope and the general conditions for their implementation. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, acting under the authority of the Council and in close and constant contact with the Political and Security Committee, shall ensure coordination of the civilian and military aspects of such tasks.

Article 28 C

• 1. 

  Within the framework of the decisions adopted in accordance with Article 28 B, the Council may entrust the implementation of a task to a group of Member States which are willing and have the necessary capability for such a task. Those Member States, in association with the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, shall agree among themselves on the management of the task.

• 2. 

  Member States participating in the task shall keep the Council regularly informed of its progress on their own initiative or at the request of another Member State. Those States shall inform the Council immediately should the completion of the task entail major consequences or require amendment of the objective, scope and conditions determined for the task in the decisions referred to in paragraph 1. In such cases, the Council shall adopt the necessary decisions.

Article 28 D

• 1. 

  The European Defence Agency referred to in Article 28 A(3), subject to the authority of the Council, shall have as its task to:

• 2. 

  The European Defence Agency shall be open to all Member States wishing to be part of it. The Council, acting by a qualified majority, shall adopt a decision defining the Agency's statute, seat and operational rules. That decision should take account of the level of effective participation in the Agency's activities. Specific groups shall be set up within the Agency bringing together Member States engaged in joint projects. The Agency shall carry out its tasks in liaison with the Commission where necessary.

Article 28 E

• 1. 

  Those Member States which wish to participate in the permanent structured cooperation referred to in Article 28 A(6), which fulfil the criteria and have made the commitments on military capabilities set out in the Protocol on permanent structured cooperation, shall notify their intention to the Council and to the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

• 2. 

  Within three months following the notification referred to in paragraph 1 the Council shall adopt a decision establishing permanent structured cooperation and determining the list of participating Member States. The Council shall act by a qualified majority after consulting the High Representative.

• 3. 

  Any Member State which, at a later stage, wishes to participate in the permanent structured cooperation shall notify its intention to the Council and to the High Representative.

The Council shall adopt a decision confirming the participation of the Member State concerned which fulfils the criteria and makes the commitments referred to in Articles 1 and 2 of the Protocol on permanent structured cooperation. The Council shall act by a qualified majority after consulting the High Representative. Only members of the Council representing the participating Member States shall take part in the vote.

A qualified majority shall be defined in accordance with Article 205(3)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

• 4. 

  If a participating Member State no longer fulfils the criteria or is no longer able to meet the commitments referred to in Articles 1 and 2 of the Protocol on permanent structured cooperation, the Council may adopt a decision suspending the participation of the Member State concerned.

The Council shall act by a qualified majority. Only members of the Council representing the participating Member States, with the exception of the Member State in question, shall take part in the vote.

A qualified majority shall be defined in accordance with Article 205(3)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

• 5. 

  Any participating Member State which wishes to withdraw from permanent structured cooperation shall notify its intention to the Council, which shall take note that the Member State in question has ceased to participate.

• 6. 

  The decisions and recommendations of the Council within the framework of permanent structured cooperation, other than those provided for in paragraphs 2 to 5, shall be adopted by unanimity. For the purposes of this paragraph, unanimity shall be constituted by the votes of the representatives of the participating Member States only.’.

Articles 29 to 39 of Title VI, which relate to judicial cooperation in criminal matters and to police cooperation, shall be replaced by the provisions of Chapters 1, 4 and 5 of Title IV of Part Three of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. As set out below, in Article 2, points 64, 67 and 68 of this Treaty, Article 29 shall be replaced by Article 61 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Article 30 shall be replaced by Articles 69 F and 69 G thereof, Article 31 shall be replaced by Articles 69 A, 69 B and 69 D thereof, Article 32 shall be replaced by Article 69 H thereof, Article 33 shall be replaced by Article 61 E thereof and Article 36 shall be replaced by Article 61 D thereof. The heading of the Title shall be deleted and its number shall become the number of the Title on final provisions.

Articles 40 to 40 B of Title VI and Articles 43 to 45 of Title VII, relating to enhanced cooperation, shall be replaced by Article 10 in accordance with point 22 above, and Title VII shall be repealed.

Articles 41 and 42 shall be repealed.

Title VIII, on final provisions, shall be renumbered VI; this Title and Articles 48, 49 and 53 shall be amended as set out respectively in points 56, 57 and 61 below. Article 47 shall be replaced by Article 25b, as indicated above in point 45, and Articles 46 and 50 shall be repealed.

The following new Article 46 A shall be inserted:

‘Article 46 A

The Union shall have legal personality.’.

Article 48 shall be replaced by the following:

‘Article 48

• 1. 

  The Treaties may be amended in accordance with an ordinary revision procedure. They may also be amended in accordance with simplified revision procedures.

• 2. 

  The Government of any Member State, the European Parliament or the Commission may submit to the Council proposals for the amendment of the Treaties. These proposals may, inter alia, serve either to increase or to reduce the competences conferred on the Union in the Treaties. These proposals shall be submitted to the European Council by the Council and the national Parliaments shall be notified.

• 3. 

  If the European Council, after consulting the European Parliament and the Commission, adopts by a simple majority a decision in favour of examining the proposed amendments, the President of the European Council shall convene a Convention composed of representatives of the national Parliaments, of the Heads of State or Government of the Member States, of the European Parliament and of the Commission. The European Central Bank shall also be consulted in the case of institutional changes in the monetary area. The Convention shall examine the proposals for amendments and shall adopt by consensus a recommendation to a conference of representatives of the governments of the Member States as provided for in paragraph 4.

The European Council may decide by a simple majority, after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament, not to convene a Convention should this not be justified by the extent of the proposed amendments. In the latter case, the European Council shall define the terms of reference for a conference of representatives of the governments of the Member States.

• 4. 

  A conference of representatives of the governments of the Member States shall be convened by the President of the Council for the purpose of determining by common accord the amendments to be made to the Treaties.

The amendments shall enter into force after being ratified by all the Member States in accordance with their respective constitutional requirements.

• 5. 

  If, two years after the signature of a treaty amending the Treaties, four fifths of the Member States have ratified it and one or more Member States have encountered difficulties in proceeding with ratification, the matter shall be referred to the European Council.

• 6. 

  The Government of any Member State, the European Parliament or the Commission may submit to the European Council proposals for revising all or part of the provisions of Part Three of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union relating to the internal policies and action of the Union.

The European Council may adopt a decision amending all or part of the provisions of Part Three of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The European Council shall act by unanimity after consulting the European Parliament and the Commission, and the European Central Bank in the case of institutional changes in the monetary area. That decision shall not enter into force until it is approved by the Member States in accordance with their respective constitutional requirements.

The decision referred to in the second subparagraph shall not increase the competences conferred on the Union in the Treaties.

• 7. 

  Where the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union or Title V of this Treaty provides for the Council to act by unanimity in a given area or case, the European Council may adopt a decision authorising the Council to act by a qualified majority in that area or in that case. This subparagraph shall not apply to decisions with military implications or those in the area of defence.

Where the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union provides for legislative acts to be adopted by the Council in accordance with a special legislative procedure, the European Council may adopt a decision allowing for the adoption of such acts in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure.

Any initiative taken by the European Council on the basis of the first or the second subparagraph shall be notified to the national Parliaments. If a national Parliament makes known its opposition within six months of the date of such notification, the decision referred to in the first or the second subparagraph shall not be adopted. In the absence of opposition, the European Council may adopt the decision.

For the adoption of the decisions referred to in the first and second subparagraphs, the European Council shall act by unanimity after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament, which shall be given by a majority of its component members.’.

The first paragraph of Article 49 shall be amended as follows:

The following new Article 49 A shall be inserted:

‘Article 49 A

• 1. 

  Any Member State may decide to withdraw from the Union in accordance with its own constitutional requirements.

• 2. 

  A Member State which decides to withdraw shall notify the European Council of its intention. In the light of the guidelines provided by the European Council, the Union shall negotiate and conclude an agreement with that State, setting out the arrangements for its withdrawal, taking account of the framework for its future relationship with the Union. That agreement shall be negotiated in accordance with Article 188 N(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. It shall be concluded on behalf of the Union by the Council, acting by a qualified majority, after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament.

• 3. 

  The Treaties shall cease to apply to the State in question from the date of entry into force of the withdrawal agreement or, failing that, two years after the notification referred to in paragraph 2, unless the European Council, in agreement with the Member State concerned, unanimously decides to extend this period.

• 4. 

  For the purposes of paragraphs 2 and 3, the member of the European Council or of the Council representing the withdrawing Member State shall not participate in the discussions of the European Council or Council or in decisions concerning it.

A qualified majority shall be defined in accordance with Article 205(3)(b) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

• 5. 

  If a State which has withdrawn from the Union asks to rejoin, its request shall be subject to the procedure referred to in Article 49.’.

The following Article 49 B shall be inserted:

‘Article 49 B

The Protocols and Annexes to the Treaties shall form an integral part thereof.’.

An Article 49 C shall be inserted:

‘Article 49 C

• 1. 

  The Treaties shall apply to the Kingdom of Belgium, Republic of Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, the Kingdom of Denmark, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Republic of Estonia, Ireland, the Hellenic Republic, the Kingdom of Spain, the French Republic, the Italian Republic, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Poland, the Portuguese Republic, Romania, the Republic of Slovenia, the Slovak Republic, the Republic of Finland, the Kingdom of Sweden and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

• 2. 

  The territorial scope of the Treaties is specified in Article 311a of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.’.

Article 53 shall be amended as follows:

The title of the Treaty shall be replaced by ‘Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union’.

Throughout the Treaty:

In the following Articles, the words ‘acting unanimously on a proposal from the Commission’ shall be replaced by ‘acting unanimously in accordance with a special legislative procedure’:

In the following Articles, the words ‘acting by a simple majority’ shall be inserted after ‘the Council’:

In the following Articles, the words ‘consulting the European Parliament’ shall be replaced by ‘obtaining the consent of the European Parliament’:

In the following Articles, the word ‘institution’ or ‘institutions’ shall be replaced by ‘institution, body, office or agency’ or ‘institutions, bodies, offices or agencies’, as appropriate, and any grammatical changes necessary shall be made:

In the following Articles, the words ‘Court of Justice’ shall be replaced by ‘Court of Justice of the European Union’.

In the following Articles, the words ‘of Justice’ shall be deleted after ‘Court’:

In the following Articles, the reference to another Article of the Treaty shall be replaced by the following reference to an Article of the Treaty on European Union:

(Does not apply to the English version.)

In the second recital, the word ‘countries’ shall be replaced by ‘States’ and in the last recital, the words ‘HAVE DECIDED to create a EUROPEAN COMMUNITY and to this end have designated’ shall be replaced by ‘and to this end HAVE DESIGNATED’.

Articles 1 and 2 shall be repealed. The following Article 1a shall be inserted:

‘Article 1a

• 1. 

  This Treaty organises the functioning of the Union and determines the areas of, delimitation of, and arrangements for exercising its competences.

• 2. 

  This Treaty and the Treaty on European Union constitute the Treaties on which the Union is founded. These two Treaties, which have the same legal value, shall be referred to as “the Treaties”.’.

The following new Title and new Articles 2 A to 2 E shall be inserted:

‘TITLE I

CATEGORIES AND AREAS OF UNION COMPETENCE

Article 2 A

• 1. 

  When the Treaties confer on the Union exclusive competence in a specific area, only the Union may legislate and adopt legally binding acts, the Member States being able to do so themselves only if so empowered by the Union or for the implementation of Union acts.

• 2. 

  When the Treaties confer on the Union a competence shared with the Member States in a specific area, the Union and the Member States may legislate and adopt legally binding acts in that area. The Member States shall exercise their competence to the extent that the Union has not exercised its competence. The Member States shall again exercise their competence to the extent that the Union has decided to cease exercising its competence.

• 3. 

  The Member States shall coordinate their economic and employment policies within arrangements as determined by this Treaty, which the Union shall have competence to provide.

• 4. 

  The Union shall have competence, in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty on European Union, to define and implement a common foreign and security policy, including the progressive framing of a common defence policy.

• 5. 

  In certain areas and under the conditions laid down in the Treaties, the Union shall have competence to carry out actions to support, coordinate or supplement the actions of the Member States, without thereby superseding their competence in these areas.

Legally binding acts of the Union adopted on the basis of the provisions of the Treaties relating to these areas shall not entail harmonisation of Member States' laws or regulations.

• 6. 

  The scope of and arrangements for exercising the Union's competences shall be determined by the provisions of the Treaties relating to each area.

Article 2 B

• 1. 

  The Union shall have exclusive competence in the following areas:

• 2. 

  The Union shall also have exclusive competence for the conclusion of an international agreement when its conclusion is provided for in a legislative act of the Union or is necessary to enable the Union to exercise its internal competence, or insofar as its conclusion may affect common rules or alter their scope.

Article 2 C

• 1. 

  The Union shall share competence with the Member States where the Treaties confer on it a competence which does not relate to the areas referred to in Articles 2 B and 2 E.

• 2. 

  Shared competence between the Union and the Member States applies in the following principal areas:

• 3. 

  In the areas of research, technological development and space, the Union shall have competence to carry out activities, in particular to define and implement programmes; however, the exercise of that competence shall not result in Member States being prevented from exercising theirs.

• 4. 

  In the areas of development cooperation and humanitarian aid, the Union shall have competence to carry out activities and conduct a common policy; however, the exercise of that competence shall not result in Member States being prevented from exercising theirs.

Article 2 D

• 1. 

  The Member States shall coordinate their economic policies within the Union. To this end, the Council shall adopt measures, in particular broad guidelines for these policies.

Specific provisions shall apply to those Member States whose currency is the euro.

• 2. 

  The Union shall take measures to ensure coordination of the employment policies of the Member States, in particular by defining guidelines for these policies.

• 3. 

  The Union may take initiatives to ensure coordination of Member States' social policies.

Article 2 E

The Union shall have competence to carry out actions to support, coordinate or supplement the actions of the Member States. The areas of such action shall, at European level, be:

The following title and Article 2 F shall be inserted:

‘TITLE II

PROVISIONS HAVING GENERAL APPLICATION

Article 2 F

The Union shall ensure consistency between its policies and activities, taking all of its objectives into account and in accordance with the principle of conferral of powers.’.

Paragraph 1 of Article 3 shall be repealed. Paragraph 2 shall be left unnumbered, and the words ‘the activities referred to in this Article,’ shall be replaced by ‘its activities,’.

The text of Article 4 shall become Article 97b. It shall be amended as set out below in point 85.

Article 5 shall be repealed; it shall be replaced by Article 3b of the Treaty on European Union.

The following Article 5a shall be inserted:

‘Article 5a

In defining and implementing its policies and activities, the Union shall take into account requirements linked to the promotion of a high level of employment, the guarantee of adequate social protection, the fight against social exclusion, and a high level of education, training and protection of human health.’.

The following Article 5b shall be inserted:

‘Article 5b

In defining and implementing its policies and activities, the Union shall aim to combat discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.’.

In Article 6, the words ‘referred to in Article 3’ shall be deleted.

An Article 6a shall be inserted, with the wording of Article 153(2).

An Article 6b shall be inserted, with the wording of the enacting terms of the Protocol on the protection and welfare of animals; the word ‘fisheries’ shall be inserted after ‘agriculture’, the words ‘and research’ shall be replaced by ‘research and technological development and space’, and the words ‘, since animals are sentient beings,’ shall be inserted after ‘Member States shall’.

Articles 7 to 10 shall be repealed. Articles 11 and 11a shall be replaced by Article 10 of the Treaty on European Union and by Articles 280 A and 280 I of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, as set out in this Treaty in point 22 of Article 1 above and in point 278 below.

The text of Article 12 shall become Article 16 D.

The text of Article 13 shall become Article 16 E. It shall be amended as set out below at point 33.

The text of Article 14 shall become Article 22a. It shall be amended as set out below at point 41.

The text of Article 15 shall become Article 22b. It shall be amended as set out below at point 42.

Article 16 shall be amended as follows:

An Article 16 A shall be inserted, with the wording of Article 255; it shall be amended as follows:

An Article 16 B shall be inserted, replacing Article 286:

‘Article 16 B

• 1. 

  Everyone has the right to the protection of personal data concerning them.

• 2. 

  The European Parliament and the Council, acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, shall lay down the rules relating to the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies, and by the Member States when carrying out activities which fall within the scope of Union law, and the rules relating to the free movement of such data. Compliance with these rules shall be subject to the control of independent authorities.

The rules adopted on the basis of this Article shall be without prejudice to the specific rules laid down in Article 25a of the Treaty on European Union.’.

The following new Article 16 C shall be inserted:

‘Article 16 C

• 1. 

  The Union respects and does not prejudice the status under national law of churches and religious associations or communities in the Member States.

• 2. 

  The Union equally respects the status under national law of philosophical and non-confessional organisations.

• 3. 

  Recognising their identity and their specific contribution, the Union shall maintain an open, transparent and regular dialogue with these churches and organisations.’.

The heading of Part Two shall be replaced by the following heading: ‘NON-DISCRIMINATION AND CITIZENSHIP OF THE UNION’.

An Article 16 D shall be inserted, with the wording of Article 12.

An Article 16 E shall be inserted, with the wording of Article 13; in paragraph 2, the words ‘when the Council adopts Community’ shall be replaced by ‘the European Parliament and the Council, acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, may adopt the basic principles of the Union's’ and the words at the end of the paragraph ‘it shall act in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 251’ shall be deleted.

Article 17 shall be amended as follows:

Article 18 shall be amended as follows:

In Article 20, the words ‘establish the necessary rules among themselves and’ shall be replaced by ‘adopt the necessary provisions and’. The following new paragraph shall be added:

‘The Council, acting in accordance with a special legislative procedure and after consulting the European Parliament, may adopt directives establishing the coordination and cooperation measures necessary to facilitate such protection.’.

In Article 21, the following new first paragraph shall be inserted:

‘The European Parliament and the Council, acting by means of regulations in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, shall adopt the provisions for the procedures and conditions required for a citizens' initiative within the meaning of Article 8 B of the Treaty on European Union, including the minimum number of Member States from which such citizens must come.’.

In Article 22, second paragraph, the words ‘the rights laid down in this Part, which it shall recommend to the Member States for adoption in accordance with their respective constitutional requirements’ shall be replaced by ‘the rights listed in Article 17(2). These provisions shall enter into force after their approval by the Member States in accordance with their respective constitutional requirements.’.

In the heading of Part Three, the words ‘AND INTERNAL ACTIONS’ shall be inserted after ‘POLICIES’.

A Title I, with the heading ‘THE INTERNAL MARKET’ shall be inserted at the beginning of Part Three.

An Article 22a shall be inserted, with the wording of Article 14. Paragraph 1 shall be replaced by the following:

‘1.   The Union shall adopt measures with the aim of establishing or ensuring the functioning of the internal market, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Treaties.’.

An Article 22b shall be inserted, with the wording of Article 15. In the first paragraph, the words ‘during the period of establishment’ shall be replaced by ‘for the establishment’.

Title I on the free movement of goods shall become Title Ia.

In Article 23(1), the words ‘shall be based upon’ shall be replaced by ‘shall comprise’.

A Chapter Ia entitled ‘CUSTOMS COOPERATION’ shall be inserted after Article 27, and an Article 27a shall be inserted with the wording of Article 135, the last sentence of that Article being deleted.

In the heading of Title II, the words ‘AND FISHERIES’ shall be added.

Article 32 shall be amended as follows:

Article 36 shall be amended as follows:

Article 37 shall be amended as follows:

In Article 39(3)(d), the word ‘implementing’ shall be deleted.

Article 42 shall be amended as follows:

In Article 44(2), the words ‘The European Parliament,’ shall be inserted at the beginning of the paragraph.

In Article 45, second paragraph, the words ‘The Council may, acting by a qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission,’ shall be replaced by ‘The European Parliament and the Council, acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, may’.

Article 47 shall be amended as follows:

An Article 48a shall be inserted, with the wording of Article 294.

Article 49 shall be amended as follows:

In Article 50, third paragraph, the words ‘the State’ shall be replaced by ‘the Member State’.

In Article 52(1), the words ‘the Council shall, on a proposal from the Commission and after consulting the Economic and Social Committee and the European Parliament, issue’ shall be replaced by ‘the European Parliament and the Council, acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure and after consulting the Economic and Social Committee, shall issue’.

In Article 53, the words ‘declare their readiness to’ shall be replaced by ‘shall endeavour to’.

In Article 57(2), the words ‘the Council may, acting by a qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission, adopt measures’ shall be replaced by ‘the European Parliament and the Council, acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, shall adopt the measures’ and the last sentence of paragraph 2 shall become paragraph 3, reading as follows:

‘3.   Notwithstanding paragraph 2, only the Council, acting in accordance with a special legislative procedure, may unanimously, and after consulting the European Parliament, adopt measures which constitute a step backwards in Union law as regards the liberalisation of the movement of capital to or from third countries.’

In Article 58, the following new paragraph 4 shall be added:

‘4.   In the absence of measures pursuant to Article 57(3), the Commission or, in the absence of a Commission decision within three months from the request of the Member State concerned, the Council, may adopt a decision stating that restrictive tax measures adopted by a Member State concerning one or more third countries are to be considered compatible with the Treaties insofar as they are justified by one of the objectives of the Union and compatible with the proper functioning of the internal market. The Council shall act unanimously on application by a Member State.’.

Article 60 shall become Article 61 H. It shall be amended as set out below in point 64.

A Title IV, with the heading ‘AREA OF FREEDOM, SECURITY AND JUSTICE’, shall replace the Title IV on visas, asylum, immigration, and other policies related to free movement of persons. Title IV shall contain the following Chapters:

Article 61 shall be replaced by the following Chapter 1 and Articles 61 to 61 I. Article 61 shall also replace the current Article 29 of the Treaty on European Union, Article 61 D shall replace Article 36 thereof, Article 61 E shall replace Article 64(1) of the Treaty establishing the European Community and the current Article 33 of the Treaty on European Union, Article 61G shall replace Article 66 of the Treaty establishing the European Community and Article 61 H shall take over Article 60 thereof, as set out in point 62 above:

‘CHAPTER 1

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 61

• 1. 

  The Union shall constitute an area of freedom, security and justice with respect for fundamental rights and the different legal systems and traditions of the Member States.

• 2. 

  It shall ensure the absence of internal border controls for persons and shall frame a common policy on asylum, immigration and external border control, based on solidarity between Member States, which is fair towards third-country nationals. For the purpose of this Title, stateless persons shall be treated as third-country nationals.

• 3. 

  The Union shall endeavour to ensure a high level of security through measures to prevent and combat crime, racism and xenophobia, and through measures for coordination and cooperation between police and judicial authorities and other competent authorities, as well as through the mutual recognition of judgments in criminal matters and, if necessary, through the approximation of criminal laws.

• 4. 

  The Union shall facilitate access to justice, in particular through the principle of mutual recognition of judicial and extrajudicial decisions in civil matters.

Article 61 A

The European Council shall define the strategic guidelines for legislative and operational planning within the area of freedom, security and justice.

Article 61 B

National Parliaments ensure that the proposals and legislative initiatives submitted under Chapters 4 and 5 comply with the principle of subsidiarity, in accordance with the arrangements laid down by the Protocol on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality.

Article 61 C

Without prejudice to Articles 226, 227 and 228, the Council may, on a proposal from the Commission, adopt measures laying down the arrangements whereby Member States, in collaboration with the Commission, conduct objective and impartial evaluation of the implementation of the Union policies referred to in this Title by Member States' authorities, in particular in order to facilitate full application of the principle of mutual recognition. The European Parliament and national Parliaments shall be informed of the content and results of the evaluation.

Article 61 D

A standing committee shall be set up within the Council in order to ensure that operational cooperation on internal security is promoted and strengthened within the Union. Without prejudice to Article 207, it shall facilitate coordination of the action of Member States' competent authorities. Representatives of the Union bodies, offices and agencies concerned may be involved in the proceedings of this committee. The European Parliament and national Parliaments shall be kept informed of the proceedings.

Article 61 E

This Title shall not affect the exercise of the responsibilities incumbent upon Member States with regard to the maintenance of law and order and the safeguarding of internal security.

Article 61 F

It shall be open to Member States to organise between themselves and under their responsibility such forms of cooperation and coordination as they deem appropriate between the competent departments of their administrations responsible for safeguarding national security.

Article 61 G

The Council shall adopt measures to ensure administrative cooperation between the relevant departments of the Member States in the areas covered by this Title, as well as between those departments and the Commission. It shall act on a Commission proposal, subject to Article 61 I, and after consulting the European Parliament.

Article 61 H

Where necessary to achieve the objectives set out in Article 61, as regards preventing and combating terrorism and related activities, the European Parliament and the Council, acting by means of regulations in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, shall define a framework for administrative measures with regard to capital movements and payments, such as the freezing of funds, financial assets or economic gains belonging to, or owned or held by, natural or legal persons, groups or non-State entities.

The Council, on a proposal from the Commission, shall adopt measures to implement the framework referred to in the first paragraph.

The acts referred to in this Article shall include necessary provisions on legal safeguards.

Article 61 I

The acts referred to in Chapters 4 and 5, together with the measures referred to in Article 61 G which ensure administrative cooperation in the areas covered by these Chapters, shall be adopted:

Articles 62 to 64 shall be replaced by the following Chapter 2 and Articles 62 to 63b. Article 62 shall replace Article 62, paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 63 shall replace points 1 and 2 of Article 63, paragraph 3 of Article 63 shall replace paragraph 2 of Article 64 and Article 63a shall replace points 3 and 4 of Article 63:

‘CHAPTER 2

POLICIES ON BORDER CHECKS, ASYLUM AND IMMIGRATION

Article 62

• 1. 

  The Union shall develop a policy with a view to:

• 2. 

  For the purposes of paragraph 1, the European Parliament and the Council, acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, shall adopt measures concerning:

• 3. 

  If action by the Union should prove necessary to facilitate the exercise of the right referred to in Article 17(2)(a), and if the Treaties have not provided the necessary powers, the Council, acting in accordance with a special legislative procedure, may adopt provisions concerning passports, identity cards, residence permits or any other such document. The Council shall act unanimously after consulting the European Parliament.

• 4. 

  This Article shall not affect the competence of the Member States concerning the geographical demarcation of their borders, in accordance with international law.

Article 63

• 1. 

  The Union shall develop a common policy on asylum, subsidiary protection and temporary protection with a view to offering appropriate status to any third-country national requiring international protection and ensuring compliance with the principle of non-refoulement. This policy must be in accordance with the Geneva Convention of 28 July 1951 and the Protocol of 31 January 1967 relating to the status of refugees, and other relevant treaties.

• 2. 

  For the purposes of paragraph 1, the European Parliament and the Council, acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, shall adopt measures for a common European asylum system comprising:

• 3. 

  In the event of one or more Member States being confronted by an emergency situation characterised by a sudden inflow of nationals of third countries, the Council, on a proposal from the Commission, may adopt provisional measures for the benefit of the Member State(s) concerned. It shall act after consulting the European Parliament.

Article 63a

• 1. 

  The Union shall develop a common immigration policy aimed at ensuring, at all stages, the efficient management of migration flows, fair treatment of third-country nationals residing legally in Member States, and the prevention of, and enhanced measures to combat, illegal immigration and trafficking in human beings.

• 2. 

  For the purposes of paragraph 1, the European Parliament and the Council, acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, shall adopt measures in the following areas:

• 3. 

  The Union may conclude agreements with third countries for the readmission to their countries of origin or provenance of third-country nationals who do not or who no longer fulfil the conditions for entry, presence or residence in the territory of one of the Member States.

• 4. 

  The European Parliament and the Council, acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, may establish measures to provide incentives and support for the action of Member States with a view to promoting the integration of third-country nationals residing legally in their territories, excluding any harmonisation of the laws and regulations of the Member States.

• 5. 

  This Article shall not affect the right of Member States to determine volumes of admission of third-country nationals coming from third countries to their territory in order to seek work, whether employed or self-employed.

Article 63b

The policies of the Union set out in this Chapter and their implementation shall be governed by the principle of solidarity and fair sharing of responsibility, including its financial implications, between the Member States. Whenever necessary, the Union acts adopted pursuant to this Chapter shall contain appropriate measures to give effect to this principle.’.

Article 65 shall be replaced by the following Chapter 3 and Article 65:

‘CHAPTER 3

JUDICIAL COOPERATION IN CIVIL MATTERS

Article 65

• 1. 

  The Union shall develop judicial cooperation in civil matters having cross-border implications, based on the principle of mutual recognition of judgments and of decisions in extrajudicial cases. Such cooperation may include the adoption of measures for the approximation of the laws and regulations of the Member States.

• 2. 

  For the purposes of paragraph 1, the European Parliament and the Council, acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, shall adopt measures, particularly when necessary for the proper functioning of the internal market, aimed at ensuring:

• 3. 

  Notwithstanding paragraph 2, measures concerning family law with cross-border implications shall be established by the Council, acting in accordance with a special legislative procedure. The Council shall act unanimously after consulting the European Parliament.

The Council, on a proposal from the Commission, may adopt a decision determining those aspects of family law with cross-border implications which may be the subject of acts adopted by the ordinary legislative procedure. The Council shall act unanimously after consulting the European Parliament.

The proposal referred to in the second subparagraph shall be notified to the national Parliaments. If a national Parliament makes known its opposition within six months of the date of such notification, the decision shall not be adopted. In the absence of opposition, the Council may adopt the decision.’.

Article 66 shall be replaced by Article 61 G, as set out in point 64 above, and Articles 67 to 69 shall be repealed. The following Chapter 4 and Articles 69 A to 69 E shall be inserted. Articles 69 A, 69 B and 69 D shall replace the current Article 31 of the Treaty on European Union, as set out above in point 51 of Article 1 of this Treaty:

‘CHAPTER 4

JUDICIAL COOPERATION IN CRIMINAL MATTERS

Article 69 A

• 1. 

  Judicial cooperation in criminal matters in the Union shall be based on the principle of mutual recognition of judgments and judicial decisions and shall include the approximation of the laws and regulations of the Member States in the areas referred to in paragraph 2 and in Article 69 B.

The European Parliament and the Council, acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, shall adopt measures to:

• 2. 

  To the extent necessary to facilitate mutual recognition of judgments and judicial decisions and police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters having a cross-border dimension, the European Parliament and the Council may, by means of directives adopted in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, establish minimum rules. Such rules shall take into account the differences between the legal traditions and systems of the Member States.

They shall concern:

Adoption of the minimum rules referred to in this paragraph shall not prevent Member States from maintaining or introducing a higher level of protection for individuals.

• 3. 

  Where a member of the Council considers that a draft directive as referred to in paragraph 2 would affect fundamental aspects of its criminal justice system, it may request that the draft directive be referred to the European Council. In that case, the ordinary legislative procedure shall be suspended. After discussion, and in case of a consensus, the European Council shall, within four months of this suspension, refer the draft back to the Council, which shall terminate the suspension of the ordinary legislative procedure.

Within the same timeframe, in case of disagreement, and if at least nine Member States wish to establish enhanced cooperation on the basis of the draft directive concerned, they shall notify the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission accordingly. In such a case, the authorisation to proceed with enhanced cooperation referred to in Article 10(2) of the Treaty on European Union and Article 280 D(1) of this Treaty shall be deemed to be granted and the provisions on enhanced cooperation shall apply.

Article 69 B

• 1. 

  The European Parliament and the Council may, by means of directives adopted in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, establish minimum rules concerning the definition of criminal offences and sanctions in the areas of particularly serious crime with a cross-border dimension resulting from the nature or impact of such offences or from a special need to combat them on a common basis.

These areas of crime are the following: terrorism, trafficking in human beings and sexual exploitation of women and children, illicit drug trafficking, illicit arms trafficking, money laundering, corruption, counterfeiting of means of payment, computer crime and organised crime.

On the basis of developments in crime, the Council may adopt a decision identifying other areas of crime that meet the criteria specified in this paragraph. It shall act unanimously after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament.

• 2. 

  If the approximation of criminal laws and regulations of the Member States proves essential to ensure the effective implementation of a Union policy in an area which has been subject to harmonisation measures, directives may establish minimum rules with regard to the definition of criminal offences and sanctions in the area concerned. Such directives shall be adopted by the same ordinary or special legislative procedure as was followed for the adoption of the harmonisation measures in question, without prejudice to Article 61 I.

• 3. 

  Where a member of the Council considers that a draft directive as referred to in paragraph 1 or 2 would affect fundamental aspects of its criminal justice system, it may request that the draft directive be referred to the European Council. In that case, the ordinary legislative procedure shall be suspended. After discussion, and in case of a consensus, the European Council shall, within four months of this suspension, refer the draft back to the Council, which shall terminate the suspension of the ordinary legislative procedure.

Within the same timeframe, in case of disagreement, and if at least nine Member States wish to establish enhanced cooperation on the basis of the draft directive concerned, they shall notify the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission accordingly. In such a case, the authorisation to proceed with enhanced cooperation referred to in Article 10(2) of the Treaty on European Union and Article 280 D(1) of this Treaty shall be deemed to be granted and the provisions on enhanced cooperation shall apply.

Article 69 C

The European Parliament and the Council, acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, may establish measures to promote and support the action of Member States in the field of crime prevention, excluding any harmonisation of the laws and regulations of the Member States.

Article 69 D

• 1. 

  Eurojust's mission shall be to support and strengthen coordination and cooperation between national investigating and prosecuting authorities in relation to serious crime affecting two or more Member States or requiring a prosecution on common bases, on the basis of operations conducted and information supplied by the Member States' authorities and by Europol.

In this context, the European Parliament and the Council, by means of regulations adopted in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, shall determine Eurojust's structure, operation, field of action and tasks. These tasks may include:

These regulations shall also determine arrangements for involving the European Parliament and national Parliaments in the evaluation of Eurojust's activities.

• 2. 

  In the prosecutions referred to in paragraph 1, and without prejudice to Article 69 E, formal acts of judicial procedure shall be carried out by the competent national officials.

Article 69 E

• 1. 

  In order to combat crimes affecting the financial interests of the Union, the Council, by means of regulations adopted in accordance with a special legislative procedure, may establish a European Public Prosecutor's Office from Eurojust. The Council shall act unanimously after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament.

In the absence of unanimity, a group of at least nine Member States may request that the draft regulation be referred to the European Council. In that case, the procedure in the Council shall be suspended. After discussion, and in case of a consensus, the European Council shall, within four months of this suspension, refer the draft back to the Council for adoption.

Within the same timeframe, in case of disagreement, and if at least nine Member States wish to establish enhanced cooperation on the basis of the draft regulation concerned, they shall notify the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission accordingly. In such a case, the authorisation to proceed with enhanced cooperation referred to in Article 10(2) of the Treaty on European Union and Article 280 D(1) of this Treaty shall be deemed to be granted and the provisions on enhanced cooperation shall apply.

• 2. 

  The European Public Prosecutor's Office shall be responsible for investigating, prosecuting and bringing to judgment, where appropriate in liaison with Europol, the perpetrators of, and accomplices in, offences against the Union's financial interests, as determined by the regulation provided for in paragraph 1. It shall exercise the functions of prosecutor in the competent courts of the Member States in relation to such offences.

• 3. 

  The regulations referred to in paragraph 1 shall determine the general rules applicable to the European Public Prosecutor's Office, the conditions governing the performance of its functions, the rules of procedure applicable to its activities, as well as those governing the admissibility of evidence, and the rules applicable to the judicial review of procedural measures taken by it in the performance of its functions.

• 4. 

  The European Council may, at the same time or subsequently, adopt a decision amending paragraph 1 in order to extend the powers of the European Public Prosecutor's Office to include serious crime having a cross-border dimension and amending accordingly paragraph 2 as regards the perpetrators of, and accomplices in, serious crimes affecting more than one Member State. The European Council shall act unanimously after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament and after consulting the Commission.’.

The following Chapter 5 and Articles 69 F, 69 G and 69 H shall be inserted. Articles 69 F and 69 G shall replace the current Article 30 of the Treaty on European Union, and Article 69 H shall replace Article 32 thereof, as set out above in point 51 of Article 1 of this Treaty:

‘CHAPTER 5

POLICE COOPERATION

Article 69 F

• 1. 

  The Union shall establish police cooperation involving all the Member States' competent authorities, including police, customs and other specialised law enforcement services in relation to the prevention, detection and investigation of criminal offences.

• 2. 

  For the purposes of paragraph 1, the European Parliament and the Council, acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, may establish measures concerning:

• 3. 

  The Council, acting in accordance with a special legislative procedure, may establish measures concerning operational cooperation between the authorities referred to in this Article. The Council shall act unanimously after consulting the European Parliament.

In case of the absence of unanimity in the Council, a group of at least nine Member States may request that the draft measures be referred to the European Council. In that case, the procedure in the Council shall be suspended. After discussion, and in case of a consensus, the European Council shall, within four months of this suspension, refer the draft back to the Council for adoption.

Within the same timeframe, in case of disagreement, and if at least nine Member States wish to establish enhanced cooperation on the basis of the draft measures concerned, they shall notify the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission accordingly. In such a case, the authorisation to proceed with enhanced cooperation referred to in Article 10(2) of the Treaty on European Union and Article 280 D(1) of this Treaty shall be deemed to be granted and the provisions on enhanced cooperation shall apply.

The specific procedure provided for in the second and third subparagraphs shall not apply to acts which constitute a development of the Schengen acquis.

Article 69 G

• 1. 

  Europol's mission shall be to support and strengthen action by the Member States' police authorities and other law enforcement services and their mutual cooperation in preventing and combating serious crime affecting two or more Member States, terrorism and forms of crime which affect a common interest covered by a Union policy.

• 2. 

  The European Parliament and the Council, by means of regulations adopted in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, shall determine Europol's structure, operation, field of action and tasks. These tasks may include:

These regulations shall also lay down the procedures for scrutiny of Europol's activities by the European Parliament, together with national Parliaments.

• 3. 

  Any operational action by Europol must be carried out in liaison and in agreement with the authorities of the Member State or States whose territory is concerned. The application of coercive measures shall be the exclusive responsibility of the competent national authorities.

Article 69 H

The Council, acting in accordance with a special legislative procedure, shall lay down the conditions and limitations under which the competent authorities of the Member States referred to in Articles 69 A and 69 F may operate in the territory of another Member State in liaison and in agreement with the authorities of that State. The Council shall act unanimously after consulting the European Parliament.’.

In Article 70, the words ‘of this Treaty’ shall be replaced by ‘of the Treaties’ and the words ‘by Member States’ shall be deleted.

In Article 71, paragraph 2 shall be replaced by the following:

‘2.   When the measures referred to in paragraph 1 are adopted, account shall be taken of cases where their application might seriously affect the standard of living and level of employment in certain regions, and the operation of transport facilities.’.

At the beginning of Article 72, the words ‘, without the unanimous approval of the Council,’ shall be replaced by ‘, unless the Council has unanimously adopted a measure granting a derogation,’.

Article 75 shall be amended as follows:

In Article 78, the following sentence shall be added:

‘Five years after the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon, the Council, acting on a proposal from the Commission, may adopt a decision repealing this Article.’.

In Article 79, the phrase ‘without prejudice to the powers of the Economic and Social Committee’ shall be deleted.

In Article 80, paragraph 2 shall be replaced by the following:

‘2.   The European Parliament and the Council, acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, may lay down appropriate provisions for sea and air transport. They shall act after consulting the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions.’.

In Article 85, the following new paragraph 3 shall be added:

‘3.   The Commission may adopt regulations relating to the categories of agreement in respect of which the Council has adopted a regulation or a directive pursuant to Article 83(2)(b).’.

Article 87 shall be amended as follows:

In Article 88, the following new paragraph 4 shall be added:

‘4.   The Commission may adopt regulations relating to the categories of State aid that the Council has, pursuant to Article 89, determined may be exempted from the procedure provided for by paragraph 3 of this Article.’.

At the end of Article 93, the words ‘within the time limit laid down in Article 14’ shall be replaced by ‘and to avoid distortion of competition.’.

The order of Articles 94 and 95 shall be reversed. Article 94 shall be renumbered 95 and Article 95 shall be renumbered 94.

Article 95, renumbered 94, shall be amended as follows:

In Article 94, renumbered 95, the words ‘Without prejudice to Article 94,’ shall be inserted at the beginning.

In Article 96, second paragraph, first sentence, the words ‘, the Council shall, on a proposal from the Commission, acting by a qualified majority, issue’ shall be replaced by ‘, the European Parliament and the Council, acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, shall issue’. The second sentence shall be replaced by ‘Any other appropriate measures provided for in the Treaties may be adopted.’.

The following new Article 97a shall be inserted as the final article of Title VI:

‘Article 97a

In the context of the establishment and functioning of the internal market, the European Parliament and the Council, acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, shall establish measures for the creation of European intellectual property rights to provide uniform protection of intellectual property rights throughout the Union and for the setting up of centralised Union-wide authorisation, coordination and supervision arrangements.

The Council, acting in accordance with a special legislative procedure, shall by means of regulations establish language arrangements for the European intellectual property rights. The Council shall act unanimously after consulting the European Parliament.’.

An Article 97b shall be inserted as the first article of Title VII, with the wording of Article 4; it shall be amended as follows:

Article 99 shall be amended as follows:

In Article 100, paragraph 1 shall be replaced by the following:

‘1.   Without prejudice to any other procedures provided for in the Treaties, the Council, on a proposal from the Commission, may decide, in a spirit of solidarity between Member States, upon the measures appropriate to the economic situation, in particular if severe difficulties arise in the supply of certain products, notably in the area of energy.’.

In Article 102, paragraph 2 shall be deleted and paragraph 1 shall not be numbered;

In Article 103, paragraph 2 shall be replaced by the following:

‘2.   The Council, on a proposal from the Commission and after consulting the European Parliament, may, as required, specify definitions for the application of the prohibitions referred to in Articles 101 and 102 and in this Article.’.

Article 104 shall be amended as follows:

Article 105 shall be amended as follows:

Article 106 shall be amended as follows:

Article 107 shall be amended as follows:

In Article 109, the words ‘, at the latest at the date of the establishment of the ESCB,’ shall be deleted.

In Article 110, the first four subparagraphs of paragraph 2 shall be deleted.

In Article 111, paragraphs 1 to 3 and 5 shall become, respectively, paragraphs 1 to 4 of Article 188 O; they shall be amended as set out below in point 174. The text of paragraph 4 shall become paragraph 1 of Article 115 C; it shall be amended as set out below in point 100.

The following Article 111a shall be inserted:

‘Article 111a

Without prejudice to the powers of the European Central Bank, the European Parliament and the Council, acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, shall lay down the measures necessary for the use of the euro as the single currency. Such measures shall be adopted after consultation of the European Central Bank.’.

The text of Article 112 shall become Article 245b, and shall be amended as set out in point 228 below. The text of Article 113 shall become Article 245c.

Article 114 shall be amended as follows:

The following new Chapter 3a and new Articles 115 A, 115 B and 115 C shall be inserted:

‘CHAPTER 3a

PROVISIONS SPECIFIC TO MEMBER STATES WHOSE CURRENCY IS THE EURO

Article 115 A

• 1. 

  In order to ensure the proper functioning of economic and monetary union, and in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Treaties, the Council shall, in accordance with the relevant procedure from among those referred to in Articles 99 and 104, with the exception of the procedure set out in Article 104(14), adopt measures specific to those Member States whose currency is the euro:

• 2. 

  For those measures set out in paragraph 1, only members of the Council representing Member States whose currency is the euro shall take part in the vote.

A qualified majority of the said members shall be defined in accordance with Article 205(3)(a).

Article 115 B

Arrangements for meetings between ministers of those Member States whose currency is the euro are laid down by the Protocol on the Euro Group.

Article 115 C

• 1. 

  In order to secure the euro's place in the international monetary system, the Council, on a proposal from the Commission, shall adopt a decision establishing common positions on matters of particular interest for economic and monetary union within the competent international financial institutions and conferences. The Council shall act after consulting the European Central Bank.

• 2. 

  The Council, on a proposal from the Commission, may adopt appropriate measures to ensure unified representation within the international financial institutions and conferences. The Council shall act after consulting the European Central Bank.

• 3. 

  For the measures referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2, only members of the Council representing Member States whose currency is the euro shall take part in the vote.

A qualified majority of the said members shall be defined in accordance with Article 205(3)(a).’.

Article 116 shall be repealed, and the following Article 116a shall be inserted:

‘Article 116a

• 1. 

  Member States in respect of which the Council has not decided that they fulfil the necessary conditions for the adoption of the euro shall hereinafter be referred to as “Member States with a derogation”.

• 2. 

  The following provisions of the Treaties shall not apply to Member States with a derogation:

In the Articles referred to in points (a) to (j), “Member States” shall therefore mean Member States whose currency is the euro.

• 3. 

  Under Chapter IX of the Statute of the ESCB and of the ECB, Member States with a derogation and their national central banks are excluded from rights and obligations within the SCB.

• 4. 

  The voting rights of members of the Council representing Member States with a derogation shall be suspended for the adoption by the Council of the measures referred to in the Articles listed in paragraph 2, and in the following instances:

A qualified majority of the other members of the Council shall be defined in accordance with Article 205(3)(a).’.

Article 117 shall be repealed, with the exception of the first five indents of paragraph 2 thereof, which shall become the first five indents of paragraph 2 of Article 118a; they shall be amended as set out in point 103 below. A new Article 117a shall be inserted as follows:

Article 118 shall be repealed. A new Article 118a shall be inserted as follows:

An Article 118b shall be inserted, with the wording of Article 124(1); it shall be amended as follows:

Article 119 shall be amended as follows:

Article 120 shall be amended as follows:

Article 121(1) shall become Article 117a(1); it shall be amended as set out above in point 102. The rest of Article 121 shall be repealed.

In Article 122(2), the second sentence shall become the first subparagraph of Article 117a(2); it shall be amended as set out above in point 102. The rest of Article 122 shall be repealed.

Article 123(3) shall become Article 118a(1) and Article 123(5) shall become Article 117a(3); they shall be amended as set out above in points 103 and 102 respectively. The rest of Article 123 shall be repealed.

Article 124(1) shall become the new Article 118b; it shall be amended as set out above in point 104. The rest of Article 124 shall be repealed.

In Article 125, the words ‘and in Article 2 of this Treaty’ shall be deleted.

Title IX ‘COMMON COMMERCIAL POLICY’ shall become Title II in Part Five on the Union's external action and Articles 131 and 133 shall become Articles 188 B and 188 C respectively. Article 131 shall be amended as set out below in point 157 and Article 133 shall be replaced by Article 188 C.

Articles 132 and 134 shall be repealed.

Title X ‘CUSTOMS COOPERATION’ shall become Chapter 1a in Title Ia, ‘Free movement of goods’ and Article 135 shall become Article 27a, as set out above in point 45.

The heading of Title XI ‘SOCIAL POLICY, EDUCATION, VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND YOUTH’ shall be replaced by the heading ‘SOCIAL POLICY’, renumbered IX; the heading ‘Chapter 1 — Social provisions’ shall be deleted.

The following new Article 136a shall be inserted:

‘Article 136a

The Union recognises and promotes the role of the social partners at its level, taking into account the diversity of national systems. It shall facilitate dialogue between the social partners, respecting their autonomy.

The Tripartite Social Summit for Growth and Employment shall contribute to social dialogue.’.

Article 137 shall be amended as follows:

In Article 138(4), first sentence, the words ‘On the occasion of such consultation,’ shall be replaced by ‘On the occasion of the consultation referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3,’ and, in the second sentence, the words ‘the procedure’ shall be replaced by ‘this process’.

Article 139(2) shall be amended as follows:

In Article 140, the following words shall be added at the end of the second subparagraph: ‘, in particular initiatives aiming at the establishment of guidelines and indicators, the organisation of exchange of best practice, and the preparation of the necessary elements for periodic monitoring and evaluation. The European Parliament shall be kept fully informed.’.

In Article 143, the second paragraph shall be deleted.

Chapter 2 shall be renumbered TITLE X.

In Article 148, the words ‘implementing decisions’ shall be replaced by ‘implementing regulations’.

Chapter 3 shall be renumbered TITLE XI and the words ‘AND YOUTH’ at the end of the heading shall be replaced by ‘, YOUTH AND SPORT’.

Article 149 shall be amended as follows:

In Article 150(4), the following words shall be added at the end: ‘, and the Council, on a proposal from the Commission, shall adopt recommendations’.

Article 151(5) shall be amended as follows:

Article 152 shall be amended as follows:

Article 153(2) shall become Article 6a and paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 shall be renumbered 2, 3 and 4 respectively.

Article 157 shall be amended as follows:

The heading of Title XVII shall be replaced by: ‘ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND TERRITORIAL COHESION’.

Article 158 shall be amended as follows:

In Article 159, second paragraph, the words ‘economic and social’ shall be replaced by ‘economic, social and territorial’.

Article 161 shall be amended as follows:

In Article 162, first paragraph, the words ‘implementing decisions’ shall be replaced by ‘implementing regulations’.

The words ‘AND SPACE’ shall be added to the heading of Title XVIII.

Article 163 shall be amended as follows:

The following shall be added at the end of Article 165(2): ‘, in particular initiatives aiming at the establishment of guidelines and indicators, the organisation of exchange of best practice, and the preparation of the necessary elements for periodic monitoring and evaluation. The European Parliament shall be kept fully informed.’.

Article 166 shall be amended as follows:

In Article 167, the words ‘the Council’ shall be replaced by ‘the Union’.

In Article 168, second paragraph, the words ‘the Council’ shall be replaced by ‘the Union’.

In the second paragraph of Article 170, the words ‘, which shall be negotiated and concluded in accordance with Article 300’ shall be deleted.

The following new Article 172a shall be inserted:

‘Article 172a

• 1. 

  To promote scientific and technical progress, industrial competitiveness and the implementation of its policies, the Union shall draw up a European space policy. To this end, it may promote joint initiatives, support research and technological development and coordinate the efforts needed for the exploration and exploitation of space.

• 2. 

  To contribute to attaining the objectives referred to in paragraph 1, the European Parliament and the Council, acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, shall establish the necessary measures, which may take the form of a European space programme, excluding any harmonisation of the laws and regulations of the Member States.

• 3. 

  The Union shall establish any appropriate relations with the European Space Agency.

• 4. 

  This Article shall be without prejudice to the other provisions of this Title.’.

Article 174 shall be amended as follows:

Article 175 shall be amended as follows:

Title XX ‘DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION’ shall become Chapter I of Title III of Part Five on the Union's external action, and Articles 177, 179, 180 and 181 shall become Articles 188 D to 188 G respectively; those articles shall be amended as set out below in points 161 to 164. Article 178 shall be repealed.

Title XXI ‘ECONOMIC, FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL COOPERATION WITH THIRD COUNTRIES’ shall become Chapter 2 of Title III of Part Five on the Union's external action and Article 181a shall become the new Article 188 H; that Article shall be amended as set out below in point 166.

Title XX shall be replaced by the following new Title and new Article 176 A:

‘TITLE XX

ENERGY

Article 176 A

• 1. 

  In the context of the establishment and functioning of the internal market and with regard for the need to preserve and improve the environment, Union policy on energy shall aim, in a spirit of solidarity between Member States, to:

• 2. 

  Without prejudice to the application of other provisions of the Treaties, the European Parliament and the Council, acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, shall establish the measures necessary to achieve the objectives in paragraph 1. Such measures shall be adopted after consultation of the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions.

Such measures shall not affect a Member State's right to determine the conditions for exploiting its energy resources, its choice between different energy sources and the general structure of its energy supply, without prejudice to Article 175(2)(c).

• 3. 

  By way of derogation from paragraph 2, the Council, acting in accordance with a special legislative procedure, shall unanimously and after consulting the European Parliament, establish the measures referred to therein when they are primarily of a fiscal nature.’.

Title XXI shall be replaced by the following new Title and new Article 176 B:

‘TITLE XXI

TOURISM

Article 176 B

• 1. 

  The Union shall complement the action of the Member States in the tourism sector, in particular by promoting the competitiveness of Union undertakings in that sector.

To that end, Union action shall be aimed at:

• 2. 

  The European Parliament and the Council, acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, shall establish specific measures to complement actions within the Member States to achieve the objectives referred to in this Article, excluding any harmonisation of the laws and regulations of the Member States.’.

The following new Title XXII and new Article 176 C shall be inserted:

‘TITLE XXII

CIVIL PROTECTION

Article 176 C

• 1. 

  The Union shall encourage cooperation between Member States in order to improve the effectiveness of systems for preventing and protecting against natural or man-made disasters.

Union action shall aim to:

• 2. 

  The European Parliament and the Council, acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, shall establish the measures necessary to help achieve the objectives referred to in paragraph 1, excluding any harmonisation of the laws and regulations of the Member States.’.

The following new Title XXIII and new Article 176 D shall be inserted:

‘TITLE XXIII

ADMINISTRATIVE COOPERATION

Article 176 D

• 1. 

  Effective implementation of Union law by the Member States, which is essential for the proper functioning of the Union, shall be regarded as a matter of common interest.

• 2. 

  The Union may support the efforts of Member States to improve their administrative capacity to implement Union law. Such action may include facilitating the exchange of information and of civil servants as well as supporting training schemes. No Member State shall be obliged to avail itself of such support. The European Parliament and the Council, acting by means of regulations in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, shall establish the necessary measures to this end, excluding any harmonisation of the laws and regulations of the Member States.

• 3. 

  This Article shall be without prejudice to the obligations of the Member States to implement Union law or to the prerogatives and duties of the Commission. It shall also be without prejudice to other provisions of the Treaties providing for administrative cooperation among the Member States and between them and the Union.’.

At the end of Article 182, first paragraph, the words ‘to this Treaty’ shall be deleted.

At the end of Article 186, the words ‘shall be governed by agreements to be concluded subsequently with the unanimous approval of Member States’ shall be replaced by ‘shall be regulated by acts adopted in accordance with Article 187’.

In Article 187, the words ‘acting unanimously’ shall be replaced by ‘acting unanimously on a proposal from the Commission’ and the following sentence shall be added at the end of the Article: ‘Where the provisions in question are adopted by the Council in accordance with a special legislative procedure, it shall act unanimously on a proposal from the Commission and after consulting the European Parliament.’.

A new Part Five shall be inserted. Its heading shall be ‘EXTERNAL ACTION BY THE UNION’ and it shall contain the following Titles and Chapters:

The following new Title I and new Article 188 A shall be inserted:

‘TITLE I

GENERAL PROVISONS ON THE UNION'S EXTERNAL ACTION

Article 188 A

The Union's action on the international scene, pursuant to this Part, shall be guided by the principles, pursue the objectives and be conducted in accordance with the general provisions laid down in Chapter 1 of Title V of the Treaty on European Union.’.

A Title II ‘COMMON COMMERCIAL POLICY’ shall be inserted, taking over the heading of Title IX of Part 3.

An Article 188 B shall be inserted, with the wording of Article 131; it shall be amended as follows:

An Article 188 C shall be inserted, replacing Article 133:

‘Article 188 C

• 1. 

  The common commercial policy shall be based on uniform principles, particularly with regard to changes in tariff rates, the conclusion of tariff and trade agreements relating to trade in goods and services, and the commercial aspects of intellectual property, foreign direct investment, the achievement of uniformity in measures of liberalisation, export policy and measures to protect trade such as those to be taken in the event of dumping or subsidies. The common commercial policy shall be conducted in the context of the principles and objectives of the Union's external action.

• 2. 

  The European Parliament and the Council, acting by means of regulations in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, shall adopt the measures defining the framework for implementing the common commercial policy.

• 3. 

  Where agreements with one or more third countries or international organisations need to be negotiated and concluded, Article 188 N shall apply, subject to the special provisions of this Article.

The Commission shall make recommendations to the Council, which shall authorise it to open the necessary negotiations. The Council and the Commission shall be responsible for ensuring that the agreements negotiated are compatible with internal Union policies and rules.

The Commission shall conduct these negotiations in consultation with a special committee appointed by the Council to assist the Commission in this task and within the framework of such directives as the Council may issue to it. The Commission shall report regularly to the special committee and to the European Parliament on the progress of negotiations.

• 4. 

  For the negotiation and conclusion of the agreements referred to in paragraph 3, the Council shall act by a qualified majority.

For the negotiation and conclusion of agreements in the fields of trade in services and the commercial aspects of intellectual property, as well as foreign direct investment, the Council shall act unanimously where such agreements include provisions for which unanimity is required for the adoption of internal rules.

The Council shall also act unanimously for the negotiation and conclusion of agreements:

• 5. 

  The negotiation and conclusion of international agreements in the field of transport shall be subject to Title V of Part Three and to Article 188 N.

• 6. 

  The exercise of the competences conferred by this Article in the field of the common commercial policy shall not affect the delimitation of competences between the Union and the Member States, and shall not lead to harmonisation of legislative or regulatory provisions of the Member States insofar as the Treaties exclude such harmonisation.’.

A Title III ‘COOPERATION WITH THIRD COUNTRIES AND HUMANITARIAN AID’ shall be inserted.

A Chapter 1 ‘DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION’ shall be inserted, taking over the heading of Title XX of Part 3.

An Article 188 D shall be inserted, with the wording of Article 177; it shall be amended as follows:

An Article 188 E shall be inserted, with the wording of Article 179; it shall be amended as follows:

An Article 188 F shall be inserted, with the wording of Article 180; it shall be amended as follows:

At the beginning of paragraph 1, the following words shall be inserted: ‘In order to promote the complementarity and efficiency of their action,’.

An Article 188 G shall be inserted, with the wording of Article 181; the second sentence of the first paragraph and the second paragraph shall be deleted.

A Chapter 2 ‘ECONOMIC, FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL COOPERATION WITH THIRD COUNTRIES’ shall be inserted, taking over the heading of Title XXI of Part 3.

An Article 188 H shall be inserted, with the wording of Article 181a; it shall be amended as follows:

The following new Article 188 I shall be inserted:

‘Article 188 I

When the situation in a third country requires urgent financial assistance from the Union, the Council shall adopt the necessary decisions on a proposal from the Commission.’.

The following new Chapter 3 and new Article 188 J shall be inserted:

‘CHAPTER 3

HUMANITARIAN AID

Article 188 J

• 1. 

  The Union's operations in the field of humanitarian aid shall be conducted within the framework of the principles and objectives of the external action of the Union. Such operations shall be intended to provide ad hoc assistance and relief and protection for people in third countries who are victims of natural or man-made disasters, in order to meet the humanitarian needs resulting from these different situations. The Union's measures and those of the Member States shall complement and reinforce each other.

• 2. 

  Humanitarian aid operations shall be conducted in compliance with the principles of international law and with the principles of impartiality, neutrality and non-discrimination.

• 3. 

  The European Parliament and the Council, acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, shall establish the measures defining the framework within which the Union's humanitarian aid operations shall be implemented.

• 4. 

  The Union may conclude with third countries and competent international organisations any agreement helping to achieve the objectives referred to in paragraph 1 and in Article 10 A of the Treaty on European Union.

The first subparagraph shall be without prejudice to Member States' competence to negotiate in international bodies and to conclude agreements.

• 5. 

  In order to establish a framework for joint contributions from young Europeans to the humanitarian aid operations of the Union, a European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps shall be set up. The European Parliament and the Council, acting by means of regulations in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, shall determine the rules and procedures for the operation of the Corps.

• 6. 

  The Commission may take any useful initiative to promote coordination between actions of the Union and those of the Member States, in order to enhance the efficiency and complementarity of Union and national humanitarian aid measures.

• 7. 

  The Union shall ensure that its humanitarian aid operations are coordinated and consistent with those of international organisations and bodies, in particular those forming part of the United Nations system.’.

The following Title IV and Article 188 K shall be inserted, replacing Article 301:

‘TITLE IV

RESTRICTIVE MEASURES

Article 188 K

• 1. 

  Where a decision, adopted in accordance with Chapter 2 of Title V of the Treaty on European Union, provides for the interruption or reduction, in part or completely, of economic and financial relations with one or more third countries, the Council, acting by a qualified majority on a joint proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the Commission, shall adopt the necessary measures. It shall inform the European Parliament thereof.

• 2. 

  Where a decision adopted in accordance with Chapter 2 of Title V of the Treaty on European Union so provides, the Council may adopt restrictive measures under the procedure referred to in paragraph 1 against natural or legal persons and groups or non-State entities.

• 3. 

  The acts referred to in this Article shall include necessary provisions on legal safeguards.’.

A Title V ‘INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS’ shall be inserted after Article 188 K.

The following Article 188 L shall be inserted:

‘Article 188 L

• 1. 

  The Union may conclude an agreement with one or more third countries or international organisations where the Treaties so provide or where the conclusion of an agreement is necessary in order to achieve, within the framework of the Union's policies, one of the objectives referred to in the Treaties, or is provided for in a legally binding Union act or is likely to affect common rules or alter their scope.

• 2. 

  Agreements concluded by the Union are binding upon the institutions of the Union and on its Member States.’.

An Article 188 M shall be inserted, with the wording of Article 310. The word ‘States’ shall be replaced by ‘third countries’.

An Article 188 N shall be inserted, replacing Article 300:

‘Article 188 N

• 1. 

  Without prejudice to the specific provisions laid down in Article 188 C, agreements between the Union and third countries or international organisations shall be negotiated and concluded in accordance with the following procedure.

• 2. 

  The Council shall authorise the opening of negotiations, adopt negotiating directives, authorise the signing of agreements and conclude them.

• 3. 

  The Commission, or the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy where the agreement envisaged relates exclusively or principally to the common foreign and security policy, shall submit recommendations to the Council, which shall adopt a decision authorising the opening of negotiations and, depending on the subject of the agreement envisaged, nominating the Union negotiator or the head of the Union's negotiating team.

• 4. 

  The Council may address directives to the negotiator and designate a special committee in consultation with which the negotiations must be conducted.

• 5. 

  The Council, on a proposal by the negotiator, shall adopt a decision authorising the signing of the agreement and, if necessary, its provisional application before entry into force.

• 6. 

  The Council, on a proposal by the negotiator, shall adopt a decision concluding the agreement.

Except where agreements relate exclusively to the common foreign and security policy, the Council shall adopt the decision concluding the agreement:

• 7. 

  When concluding an agreement, the Council may, by way of derogation from paragraphs 5, 6 and 9, authorise the negotiator to approve on the Union's behalf modifications to the agreement where it provides for them to be adopted by a simplified procedure or by a body set up by the agreement. The Council may attach specific conditions to such authorisation.

• 8. 

  The Council shall act by a qualified majority throughout the procedure.

However, it shall act unanimously when the agreement covers a field for which unanimity is required for the adoption of a Union act as well as for association agreements and the agreements referred to in Article 188 H with the States which are candidates for accession. The Council shall also act unanimously for the agreement on accession of the Union to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms; the decision concluding this agreement shall enter into force after it has been approved by the Member States in accordance with their respective constitutional requirements.

• 9. 

  The Council, on a proposal from the Commission or the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, shall adopt a decision suspending application of an agreement and establishing the positions to be adopted on the Union's behalf in a body set up by an agreement, when that body is called upon to adopt acts having legal effects, with the exception of acts supplementing or amending the institutional framework of the agreement.

• 10. 

  The European Parliament shall be immediately and fully informed at all stages of the procedure.

• 11. 

  A Member State, the European Parliament, the Council or the Commission may obtain the opinion of the Court of Justice as to whether an agreement envisaged is compatible with the Treaties. Where the opinion of the Court is adverse, the agreement envisaged may not enter into force unless it is amended or the Treaties are revised.’.

An Article 188 O shall be inserted, with the wording of paragraphs 1 to 3 and 5 of Article 111 and paragraph 1 shall be split into two subparagraphs, the last two sentences becoming the second subparagraph; the Article shall be amended as follows:

The following Title VI and Articles 188 P and 188 Q shall be inserted, with Article 188 P replacing Articles 302 to 304:

‘TITLE VI

THE UNION'S RELATIONS WITH INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS AND THIRD COUNTRIES AND UNION DELEGATIONS

Article 188 P

• 1. 

  The Union shall establish all appropriate forms of cooperation with the organs of the United Nations and its specialised agencies, the Council of Europe, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.

The Union shall also maintain such relations as are appropriate with other international organisations.

• 2. 

  The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the Commission shall be instructed to implement this Article.

Article 188 Q

• 1. 

  Union delegations in third countries and at international organisations shall represent the Union.

• 2. 

  Union delegations shall be placed under the authority of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. They shall act in close cooperation with Member States' diplomatic and consular missions.’.

The following new Title VII and new Article 188 R shall be inserted:

‘TITLE VII

SOLIDARITY CLAUSE

Article 188 R

• 1. 

  The Union and its Member States shall act jointly in a spirit of solidarity if a Member State is the object of a terrorist attack or the victim of a natural or man-made disaster. The Union shall mobilise all the instruments at its disposal, including the military resources made available by the Member States, to:

• 2. 

  Should a Member State be the object of a terrorist attack or the victim of a natural or man-made disaster, the other Member States shall assist it at the request of its political authorities. To that end, the Member States shall coordinate between themselves in the Council.

• 3. 

  The arrangements for the implementation by the Union of the solidarity clause shall be defined by a decision adopted by the Council acting on a joint proposal by the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The Council shall act in accordance with Article 15b(1) of the Treaty on European Union where this decision has defence implications. The European Parliament shall be informed.

For the purposes of this paragraph and without prejudice to Article 207, the Council shall be assisted by the Political and Security Committee with the support of the structures developed in the context of the common security and defence policy and by the Committee referred to in Article 61 D; the two committees shall, if necessary, submit joint opinions.

• 4. 

  The European Council shall regularly assess the threats facing the Union in order to enable the Union and its Member States to take effective action.’.

Part Five shall be renumbered ‘PART SIX’ and its heading shall be replaced by ‘INSTITUTIONAL AND FINANCIAL PROVISIONS’.

Article 189 shall be repealed.

Article 190 shall be amended as follows:

In Article 191, the first paragraph shall be deleted. In the second paragraph, the words ‘, by means of regulations,’ shall be inserted before ‘shall lay down’ and the words ‘referred to in Article 8 A(4) of the Treaty on European Union’ shall be inserted after ‘at European level’.

In Article 192, the first paragraph shall be deleted; in the second paragraph, the words ‘of its Members’ shall be replaced by ‘of its component members’ and the following sentence shall be added at the end of the paragraph: ‘If the Commission does not submit a proposal, it shall inform the European Parliament of the reasons.’.

Article 193 shall be amended as follows:

Article 195 shall be amended as follows:

In the second paragraph of Article 196, the words ‘in extraordinary session’ shall be replaced by ‘in extraordinary part-session’ and the words ‘of its Members’ shall be replaced by ‘of its component members’.

Article 197 shall be amended as follows:

In the first paragraph of Article 198, the word ‘absolute’ shall be deleted.

In the second paragraph of Article 199, the words ‘manner laid down in its Rules of Procedure’ shall be replaced by ‘manner laid down in the Treaties and in its Rules of Procedure’.

In Article 201, the second paragraph shall be replaced by the following:

‘If the motion of censure is carried by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast, representing a majority of the component members of the European Parliament, the members of the Commission shall resign as a body and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy shall resign from duties that he or she carries out in the Commission. They shall remain in office and continue to deal with current business until they are replaced in accordance with Article 9 D of the Treaty on European Union. In this case, the term of office of the members of the Commission appointed to replace them shall expire on the date on which the term of office of the members of the Commission obliged to resign as a body would have expired.’.

The following new Section 1a and new Articles 201a and 201b shall be inserted:

‘SECTION 1a

THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL

Article 201a

• 1. 

  Where a vote is taken, any member of the European Council may also act on behalf of not more than one other member.

Article 9 C(4) of the Treaty on European Union and Article 205(2) of this Treaty shall apply to the European Council when it is acting by a qualified majority. Where the European Council decides by vote, its President and the President of the Commission shall not take part in the vote.

Abstentions by members present in person or represented shall not prevent the adoption by the European Council of acts which require unanimity.

• 2. 

  The President of the European Parliament may be invited to be heard by the European Council.

• 3. 

  The European Council shall act by a simple majority for procedural questions and for the adoption of its Rules of Procedure.

• 4. 

  The European Council shall be assisted by the General Secretariat of the Council.

Article 201b

The European Council shall adopt by a qualified majority:

Articles 202 and 203 shall be repealed.

Article 205 shall be amended as follows:

Article 207 shall be replaced by the following:

‘Article 207

• 1. 

  A committee consisting of the Permanent Representatives of the Governments of the Member States shall be responsible for preparing the work of the Council and for carrying out the tasks assigned to it by the latter. The Committee may adopt procedural decisions in cases provided for in the Council's Rules of Procedure.

• 2. 

  The Council shall be assisted by a General Secretariat, under the responsibility of a Secretary-General appointed by the Council.

The Council shall decide on the organisation of the General Secretariat by a simple majority.

• 3. 

  The Council shall act by a simple majority regarding procedural matters and for the adoption of its Rules of Procedure.’.

In Article 208, the following sentence shall be added at the end of the Article: ‘If the Commission does not submit a proposal, it shall inform the Council of the reasons.’.

In Article 209, the words ‘receiving an opinion from’ shall be replaced by ‘consulting’.

Article 210 shall be replaced by the following:

‘Article 210

The Council shall determine the salaries, allowances and pensions of the President of the European Council, the President of the Commission, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the members of the Commission, the Presidents, members and Registrars of the Court of Justice of the European Union, and the Secretary-General of the Council. It shall also determine any payment to be made instead of remuneration.’.

Article 211 shall be repealed. The following Article 211a shall be inserted:

‘Article 211a

In accordance with Article 9 D(5) of the Treaty on European Union, the members of the Commission shall be chosen on the basis of a system of rotation established unanimously by the European Council and on the basis of the following principles:

Article 212 shall become a new paragraph 2 of Article 218.

In Article 213, paragraph 1 shall be deleted and paragraph 2 shall not be numbered; its first two paragraphs shall be merged and shall read as follows:

‘The Members of the Commission shall refrain from any action incompatible with their duties. Member States shall respect their independence and shall not seek to influence them in the performance of their tasks.’.

Article 214 shall be repealed.

Article 215 shall be amended as follows:

In Article 217, paragraphs 1, 3 and 4 shall be deleted and paragraph 2 shall not be numbered. Its first sentence shall be replaced by the following: ‘Without prejudice to Article 9 E(4) of the Treaty on European Union, the responsibilities incumbent upon the Commission shall be structured and allocated among its members by its President, in accordance with Article 9 D(6) of that Treaty’.

In Article 218, paragraph 1 shall be deleted; paragraph 2 shall be renumbered 1 and the words ‘in accordance with the provisions of this Treaty’ shall be deleted. A paragraph 2 shall be inserted, with the wording of Article 212.

In Article 219, first paragraph, the words ‘of the number of Members provided for in Article 213’ shall be replaced by ‘of its members’ and the second paragraph shall be replaced by ‘Its Rules of Procedure shall determine the quorum.’.

In the heading of Section 4, the words ‘OF THE EUROPEAN UNION’ shall be added.

Article 220 shall be repealed.

In Article 221, the first paragraph shall be deleted.

In Article 223, the words ‘, after consultation of the panel provided for in Article 224a’ shall be added at the end of the first paragraph.

In Article 224, first paragraph, the first sentence shall be deleted and the words ‘of the Court’ shall be inserted after ‘The number of Judges’. In the second paragraph, the words ‘, after consultation of the panel provided for in Article 224a’ shall be inserted at the end of the second sentence.

The following new Article 224a shall be inserted:

‘Article 224a

A panel shall be set up in order to give an opinion on candidates' suitability to perform the duties of Judge and Advocate-General of the Court of Justice and the General Court before the governments of the Member States make the appointments referred to in Articles 223 and 224.

The panel shall comprise seven persons chosen from among former members of the Court of Justice and the General Court, members of national supreme courts and lawyers of recognised competence, one of whom shall be proposed by the European Parliament. The Council shall adopt a decision establishing the panel's operating rules and a decision appointing its members. It shall act on the initiative of the President of the Court of Justice.’.

In Article 225, paragraph 1, first subparagraph, first sentence, the words ‘assigned to a judicial panel and those’ shall be replaced by ‘assigned to a specialised court set up under Article 225a and those’ and in paragraph 2, first subparagraph, the words ‘set up under Article 225a’ shall be deleted.

Article 225a shall be amended as follows:

Article 228 shall be amended as follows:

In Article 229a, the words ‘the Council, acting unanimously on a proposal from the Commission and after consulting the European Parliament,’ shall be replaced by ‘the Council, acting unanimously in accordance with a special legislative procedure and after consulting the European Parliament,’ and the words ‘Community industrial property rights’ shall be replaced by ‘European intellectual property rights’. The last sentence shall be replaced by the following: ‘These provisions shall enter into force after their approval by the Member States in accordance with their respective constitutional requirements.’.