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The Lisbon treaty, which came into force on 1 December, opens up a new stage for the European Union, for this project of coexistence between 27 countries and 500 million people, a project created on the values of freedom and human dignity, of tolerance and solidarity.

As presidents of the European council and of the government of the rotating presidency, we would like the application of the Lisbon treaty to be as diligent and rigorous as possible. In a spirit of co"'operation, we will promote the EU's new institutional order so we can address and resolve the problems that concern us all. Together we will address the priorities set out in the programme of the presidency.

The first is the full implementation of the treaty, because it is on this basis that we can pursue the...