Press Release: Commission welcomes signature of the Treaty of Lisbon and calls for its swift ratification.

Marking an important step in European integration, the 27 Member States have today signed the Treaty of Lisbon. This marks a new phase in providing the Union with a new treaty to respond to the challenges of the 21st century. The Commission believes that the new treaty provides significant new benefits for citizens and will settle the institutional debate for the foreseeable future. In line with the Barroso Commission's twin track approach this will allow for a greater emphasis on the issues of concern to citizens such as jobs and growth, energy and climate change and migration. The Commission calls on Member States to ratify the treaty in good time for its entry into force on 1 January 2009. The Commission has today launched a website on the Treaty that explains in an easy to read way the policy innovations and institutional reforms contained in the new Treaty