BRUSSELS, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Looking back over the European Union's record as security actor in 2007, two things stand out. The year will be remembered for the Lisbon Treaty, which, once ratified by the 27 member states, holds the promise of making the EU more activist and outward-looking.

But the year will also be remembered by continued intra-EU squabbling over key security challenges like Kosovo, Chad, Afghanistan and the continued inability to match the bloc's aims with resources and manpower. Against expectations, only EU support for the U.N. Lebanon mission seems trouble-free.

The Lisbon Treaty tries to streamline the EU's institutions -- designed in 1956 -- in order to support service for the bloc of 27 members.

The new treaty beefs up the role of the "High Representative for External Affairs" -- the EU foreign minister -- who would also become a vice president of the European Commission. This person would chair meetings of European foreign ministers and lead an "External Action Service," an EU diplomatic corps.

With these changes, the EU's aid budget will be able to dovetail political priorities, and foreign governments will met one EU interface, not several institutions each with its own agenda. EU military missions will also be able to work more closely with their civilian colleagues.