According to José Socrates, "we must not forget that the Lisbon Treaty gives binding legal force to the Charter of Rights", while "strengthening European citizenship". In addition, the Portuguese Prime Minister, as he spoke at the plenary meeting of the EU Parliament, explained that, "as to the foreign policy, we will have more cohesion", a stronger voice on the international scene, "more means and a wider range of action". The floor showed to appreciate the work made by the Portuguese presidency but also criticised the results of the summit and the contents of the Treaty, often compared to those of the 2004 Constitution. According to José Barroso, president of the EU Commission, who spoke from the floor, "the euro-sceptics have been defeated by the Lisbon summit". According to the leader of the Executive, "the Treaty accomplishes the greatest progress that can ever be accomplished today" by the EU. As to the exceptions to the Charter of Rights and the Justice and security policies that have been granted to some countries, Barroso adds: "It’s better to have some opt-out clauses applicable to few countries only than a whole Europe that slows down". (continued)
