Treaty of Lisbon values

In the final version of the EU Treaty of Lisbon, the values of the European Union have been inserted in Article 1a (CIG 14/07).

The wording is the same as in the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe, Article I-2.

At present, the values are mentioned in the Treaty on European Union, Article 6.1: The Union is founded on the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law, principles which are common to the Member States.

The values are fundamental, not only to the European Union, but said to be common to the Member States.

The values offer a guide for assessing every action of the European Union, both external and internal. They act as guidelines for enlargement, since new Member States have to fulfil these criteria.

Sanctions may be applied to Member States in breach of the Union’s values (new Article 7).

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The consolidated Treaty on European Union, as amended by the Treaty of Lisbon (CIG 14/07), Title I, General Provisions:

Article 1a

The Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. These values are common to the Member States in a society in which pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality between women and men prevail.

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The next posting is going to present the Union’s aims (Article 2).


Ralf Grahn