Specialist knowledge series 3

Looking back, today's European Union (EU) is a success story. The interaction between the EU member states could certainly be improved. Sometimes the treaty foundations are perceived as no longer up to date. The 2007 Treaty of Lisbon (Reform Treaty) is intended to close the gap left by the rejection of the 2004 EU Basic Treaty.Increased attention is to be paid to the challenges of the 21st century. Particular attention is to be paid to maintaining prosperity and social protection within the EU. The prospects for Europe are good, the European single market is the largest in the world. Particular attention must be paid to five aspects of the EU - the internal market, regional and structural policy, agricultural policy, future enlargements and relations with neighbors as well as the EU as an international player.