EU hails new era as Lisbon treaty goes into force

By Timothy Heritage

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union hailed the start of a new era Tuesday after its Lisbon reform treaty went into force, carrying with it the bloc's hopes of become a more powerful force on the world stage.

The treaty, which aims to make EU decision-making smoother, creates a long-term president and enhances the powers of its foreign policy chief, is intended to give the 27-country bloc more political clout to match its economic weight.

"A new era of European cooperation beings today," Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency until the end of the year, said in a statement.

"Today the EU is a force to be reckoned with -- both economically and politically."

Briton Catherine Ashton started work immediately as foreign affairs chief. Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy takes over as president of the Council of EU leaders on January 1.

But the impact of the changes under the treaty will not be felt overnight and the EU has struggled to assert itself as emerging powers such as China become more influential following the global economic crisis.

Although the Union is an important political and trading bloc representing nearly 500 million people, its leaders have often looked divided during the eight years it took to negotiate and ratify the Lisbon treaty.

They reached agreement on the appointment of Ashton and Van Rompuy only at the last minute last month, and critics say the choice of two leaders who are little known even in the EU raises questions about how the EU will raise its global profile.