“Treaty of Lisbon – What this means for Canada”

In cooperation with the Delegation of the European Commission in Canada, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, and the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade.
Jan 26th, 2010.

European Commission welcomes the entry into force

of the Treaty of Lisbon

The Treaty of Lisbon enters into force today – 1 December 2009. The occasion will be marked by a ceremony in the City of Lisbon organised jointly by the Portuguese Government, the Swedish Presidency and the European Commission. The Commission believes that the new treaty provides significant new benefits for citizens and will settle the institutional debate for the foreseeable future. This will allow the European Union to fully concentrate on managing a smooth exit from the economic and financial crisis and pushing ahead with the 2020 strategy for greener growth.

EUCOCIT News Update - New President of Europe

EU leaders, meeting  in Brussels chose  Herman Van Rompuy ( currently the Prime Minister of Belgium ) to be the new President of European Union He is a self-facing, low key 62 year old Christian Democrat economist who enjoys Japanese poetry. He is married with 4 Children. He is a staunch advocate of European integration. He has already announced that it was time that the EU imposed its own taxes and replaced national symbols , such as license plates, identity cards, sporting event, flags and National Anthems with their EU equivalent. It has been leaked that his salary will be approx 368,000 euros ( President Obama 274,000 Euros, President Sarkozy 246,000 Euros, Chancellor Merkel 233,000 Euros, Prime Minister Brown 223,000 Euros ) He will have a staff of 60, ( 22members of Cabinet,  28 support staff and 10 bodyguards ) His office Budget is over 25mill Euros and his travel budget will be over 4mill Euros. A new building will be built in Brussels, 322mill Euros, to house the Presidency and host EU Summits after 2013

New EU Ambassador in Ottawa

Ambassador Matthias Brinkmann officially took up his duties as Head of Delegation of the European Commission to Canada on October 2, 2009, when he presented his credentials to the Governor-General, Her Excellency Michaëlle Jean, at Government House in Ottawa.