The Convention on the Future of Europe (sometimes European Convention) was a new means by which the European Union wished to refine or change the way it works. It was akin to the existing European institutions, but had a set life-expectancy. It was set up at the Laeken Summit in December 2001 to enable a more democratic process of arriving at new treaties, by inviting representatives of governments, national parliaments, the European parliament and others. This in contrast to the 'old' style of writing treaties, where governments at more than one occasion were prone to horse-trading. The current Convention finished its work on 18 July2003.
