The Lisbon Treaty aimed to reform the European Union and provide it with a strengthened legal framework and tools to meet future challenges. Signed in 2007, it was ratified by 27 EU member states including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, and others. The treaty's goals included creating a more democratic EU with a stronger role for the European Parliament and national parliaments, a more efficient EU with simplified procedures, and a Europe with increased rights, values, security, and global influence.