The potential impact of the Lisbon Treaty on European Union External Trade Policy(2008:8epa)
The ratification of the Lisbon Treaty will have quite significant implications for European Union external trade policy. The most important change will be an increased role for the European Parliament (EP).
The EP will have an enhanced role in trade negotiations in the sense that the Commission will be formally obliged to consult with it on the conduct of negotiations. The EP will also have to give its consent to the adoption of the results of trade negotiations on a ‘take it or leave it’ basis, i.e. there are no powers for the EP to change or modify the results of a negotiation.
The analysis is a part of the research project The constitutional development of the European Uninon.
2008:8epa The potential impact of the Lisbon Treaty on European Union External Trade Policy (64.62 kB)