Fresh Opportunities from the Treaty of Lisbon

Despite its complexity and verbosity, Stefano Micossi pronounces the Treaty of Lisbon as a good Treaty and one that has created new institutions and procedures that will considerably enhance the Union’s ability to act. He warns, however, that the crux of the matter remains political will: stronger institutions and more effective decision-making procedures are instruments that must be infused with visions and goals and common actions, or else they will become irrelevant. In this context, he outlines three main challenges ahead.