The European Union, or EU, describes itself as a family of democratic European countries, committed to working together for peace and prosperity

European Union

History

Maastricht and beyond

Key issues

Reform treaty

New presidency

Expansion is almost certain to continue. Bulgaria and Romania joined in January 2007, entry talks are ongoing for Croatia and an application from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is in the pipeline. Talks over Turkey's possible accession began in October 2005.

With enlargement approaching, a convention was established in 2002 to draft a constitution for the EU intended to streamline and replace the complex array of treaties and agreements which govern it at present, and to define the powers of the body.

After intensive negotiation, the final text of the constitution was approved at a meeting of the 25 EU heads of state in Brussels in June 2004.

However, every EU country had to ratify the constitution - through national parliament or public referendum - before it could take effect. The charter was dealt a severe blow in May and June 2005 when it was spurned by French and Dutch voters.

The constitution was put on hold, but with Germany's assumption of the EU presidency in January 2007 it was placed firmly back on the agenda.

Negotiations on a new Reform Treaty took place throughout 2007, and what has become known as the Lisbon Treaty was signed in the Portuguese capital on 13 December.

Most European leaders acknowledged that the main substance of the constitution would be preserved, but they argued that Lisbon simply amended previous European treaties, rather than marking any fundamental new shift in powers.

All 27 EU countries were expected to ratify the Treaty in 2008 with a view to it coming into force in 2009. However, it was thrown into turmoil in June 2008 after voters in Ireland - the only country to hold a referendum on it - delivered a resounding "no" vote.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso urged other countries to continue ratifying the Treaty, and Ireland approved it in a second referendum in October 2009.

The ratification process was completed the following month when the eurosceptic Czech President Vaclav Klaus finally signed it.