The new EU Treaty : Germany

A further step toward deepening European integration is the new Treaty of Amsterdam, which concurrently creates the preconditions for future enlargements of the EU. Upon successful completion of the ratification procedure, the following improvements will enter into force:

Overall, the European Union is to be put in closer touch with its citizens. This is to be facilitated by the strengthening of the principle of subsidiarity, better foundations for environmental protection, and improved protection of basic rights (equality between men and women, for instance, and a general prohibition of discrimination). Issues such as public broadcasting, public credit institutions, churches and sports are addressed in the new treaty.

The efficiency and visibility of the Common Foreign and Security Policy is to be enhanced. This is to be accomplished by institution of a policy planning and early warning unit and by delegation of additional CFSP functions to the Secretary-General of the Council. In the future, decisions of the Council to implement the common foreign policy can be taken by a qualified majority.