What changes will Lisbon Treaty bring for EU

The China-European Union (EU) summit in Nanjing on Monday was the last such meeting under the rotating EU presidency (in this case Sweden). The very next day the Lisbon Treaty came into force.

Many diplomats and analysts are now asking whether it will change the way the EU conducts its business. Will the EU really become more coherent and visible in its foreign policy? What will be the impact of the appointments of two top EU leaders? Why were Herman Van Rompuy and Catherine Ashton chosen, especially when there were more prominent personalities like Tony Blair on offer?

Van Rompuy was chosen European Council president because the heads of state and government wanted a low-key figure from the majority, center-right political grouping. They were not looking for a "president of Europe" but a chairman to provide some continuity between the quarterly meetings of the European Council (the group of heads of state and government).