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Revision of the treaties

Prior to the application of the Treaty of Lisbon in 2009, there was only one procedure for the revision of the treaties on which the European Union (EU) is based: the convening of an intergovernmental conference. Since 2009, Article 48 of the Treaty on European Union has laid down two procedures for the revision of the treaties.

  • 1.

    Ordinary revision. This relates to changes in relation to the competences of the EU and requires the convening of an intergovernmental conference to adopt proposals for amendments by common accord.

  • 2.

    Simplified revision. Where the proposed amendments relate to the EU’s policies and its internal measures, the European Council unanimously adopts a decision on the amendments, having consulted the European Commission, the European Parliament and the European Central Bank (if the amendment concerns institutional changes on the monetary area). The new treaty provisions only apply following their ratification by all EU Member States according to their own constitutional procedures.

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