Interpretation of the Lisbon Treaty: confusion reigns - clarity essential

Contrary to earlier expectations there now seems to be political confusion in Europe following the acceptance of the Lisbon Treaty. Europe seems to be having difficulty to get the treaty off to a quick start.

Unfortunately, at least from a protocol point of view, there seems to be initial confusion as to the interpretation of the Lisbon Treaty. Case in point, the upcoming US-EU summit. Even though Spain is hosting the EU-U.S. summit, it will be chaired by the new EU president, Herman Van Rompuy. But when asked earlier if President Obama was attending the summit, Van Rompuy’s office had no clue if he was attending, saying only that it had read press reports that he wasn’t coming. Officials referred calls to the Spanish rotating presidency in Brussels, which is in charge of planning summits and other meetings for the next six months. The perception now exists that no one seems to be sure who is calling the shots in Europe. Is it the EU rotating Presidency's office, the EU President Van Rompuy, Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, or Mrs. Catherin Ashton, the office of high representative for foreign affairs?

Foreign heads of state and their cabinets are expected to have made themselves familiar with the new EU structure under the Lisbon Treaty, but given the confusion which reigns, they don't seem to have done so. Therefore, even though everything is spelled out in the Lisbon Treaty, it would benefit the EU to produce a clear public outline on how the top EU hierarchy functions, based on the level of authority and responsibilities under the Lisbon Treaty. It is maybe good to remember the wise saying, "that if hierarchy is inaccessible on the human level, then chaos will prevail rather than natural order."

EU-Digest: Interpretation of the Lisbon Treaty: confusion reigns - clarity essential