EU officials confident in run-up to Treaty summit

During the debate in Parliament, most MEPs expressed support for the Portuguese Presidency's efforts to seal a deal in Lisbon and called for increased co-operation to allow for the new EU Treaty to be ratified swiftly. 

However, they also criticised what they described as shortcomings in the text, specifically regarding EU citizenship, the British opt-out on the Charter of Fundamental Rights and provisions concerning privacy and the protection of personal data.

Portuguese Europe Minister Manuel  Lobo Antunes said that until now, the result of the negotiation process was "positive", despite its high political sensitivity. However, he conceded that it was "no secret" that there was one member state that sought to debate certain issues – a clear reference to Poland's push to include the Ioannina compromise in the Treaty text. Antunes added that the Presidency would actively help to find a balanced solution to satisfy all sides and leave nobody out of this process.

Commission Vice-President Margot Wallström expressed her hope that the informal summit in Lisbon would not only deliver an agreement on the Reform Treaty, but also allow a deepening of the debate on how the EU responds to globalisation. She underlined that this was an "important rendez-vous at an important time" and added: "Let's show that the EU looks ahead to meet tomorrow's challenges by equipping it with the right tools."

Elmar Brok, Parliament representative at the IGC and member of the EPP-ED group, said that the "chances are good for a success of the Reform Treaty". He added that with the new Treaty "the democratic hole in the side of EU has now been closed." Nevertheless, he pointed out that efforts still had to be made to clarify regulation on data protection and made it clear that the Parliament would demand a say in the appointment of the future EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs.

According to Socialist MEP Enrique Baron Crespo, the Parliament considers the legally binding Charter of Fundamental Rights to be the "sine qua non condition" for getting the backing of MEPs. He also warned against introducing new unanimity mechanisms, referring to the Ioannina clause and comparing it to an atomic bomb: "It is useful when it is not used."

Liberal MEP Andrew Duff said he expected a political agreement at the summit, but expressed doubts about its quality, also warning of a "self-service Europe" where anyone can pick and chose their opt-outs.