Area Development
The 27 member nations of the European Union (EU) have signed an agreement that replaces the constitution established in 2005 that was rejected by French and Dutch voters. EUBusiness reports that the "Treaty of Lisbon" includes provisions to cut the size of the European parliament and the number of decisions that would require unanimous support from EU member nations. It is the first accord that includes 12 Eastern European nations that joined the EU in 2004 and 2005. Ratification must be completed by member nations' parliaments or by voter referendums by January 1, 2009.