http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/tags/eu Common Ground, Uncommon Debate en-US Sun, 05 Feb 2012 13:49:59 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.1 q http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/search.php http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/topic/is-the-ratification-of-the-lisbon-treaty-in-us-interests#post-29 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:50:53 +0000 Liva 29@http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/ <p>The Lisbon Treaty, the so-called soft form of an EU’s constitution, is currently pending on the ratification of the President of the Czech Republic. If enacted, starting January 1, 2010, the EU would have a new chief of foreign affairs, representing the overall position of the Union (supposedly granting a voice on par with the US in the international arena). A more united Europe can be either a more credible partner to the US in tackling common global challenges, and taking a larger share of the NATO financing; or it might seek to rival the US and would lessen Washington’s leverage on individual members and complicate US efforts to rally support in various intergovernmental forums. For example, Article 28 of the Lisbon Treaty creates a legal basis for the creation of a European Army. Although still out of sight, some are concerned that an eventual development of EU military structures would duplicate those of NATO and weaken the transatlantic link. Thus, is the successful conclusion of the Lisbon Treaty in the US interests? Would it present more opportunities or challenges? </p>