The Commission has published the General Report on the activities of the European Union in 2008. Last year was marked in particular by the global financial crisis, climate change and international conflict, all of which brought rapid and effective European reaction that pushed the Union to the forefront of the world political stage. The key institutional event of the year was the process of ratifying the Lisbon Treaty, which faltered in spring with the 'no' vote in the Irish referendum, but was revived at the European Council in December.

The General Report covers the work of all the EU institutions and bodies and seeks to provide an overview of the notable events and key trends of EU life in 2008.

The year 2008 threw up many major challenges, to which the Member States and the institutions responded as a group. The Union took a leading role in working towards a genuine complete overhaul of the international financial system. To deal with the impact of the financial crisis on the European economies, the Union adopted emergency measures to coordinate the European response to this global crisis. The European economic recovery plan recommends short-term measures to boost demand, thereby saving jobs and helping to restore confidence. It also calls for a timely, targeted and temporary fiscal stimulus of around EUR 200 billion or 1.5% of the Union’s gross domestic product.

The institutions demonstrated strong commitment on the other big initiative of 2008: the shaping of a European energy policy that would take account of climate change. An agreement was reached at the December European Council on the ambitious package of measures on energy and climate aimed at enabling the Union to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20% and increase the share of renewable energies in energy consumption to 20% by 2020.

Ratification of the Lisbon Treaty was another key item on the 2008 agenda. The referendum held in Ireland on 12 June (the only country to hold a referendum) produced a 'no' vote of 53.4%. A way forward was nevertheless found: the Union would make legally binding declarations clarifying the aspects of the Treaty that had given rise to concern in Ireland, where a further referendum would be held in the course of 2009 and before the end of the current Commission's term of office.

External policy figured prominently on the European agenda in 2008, from the 'Union for the Mediterranean' plan, to the partnership with the countries of Eastern Europe and development of the 'Black Sea synergy' initiative. Other priorities for the Union included resolution of the open conflict in Georgia and of the problem of energy supply security.

Marking the publication of the 2008 General Report, President Barroso declared that “fifty years on, the European institutions proved their ability to respond rapidly to the global challenges that arose in 2008. In its tenth anniversary year, Economic and Monetary Union also demonstrated the protection provided by the euro in the face of a worldwide financial crisis."

Totalling some 250 pages, the Report sets out developments in the different fields of activity according to the four strategic objectives adopted by the Commission at the beginning of its term of office: prosperity, solidarity, security, and Europe's role as a world partner.

Three other chapters are devoted to the life of the institutions and other bodies, the budget and financial activities and the general policy and economic framework. This section highlights progress made in 2008 in key areas such as improving regulation and reducing the administrative burdens on businesses.