ABSTRACT
The extent and the quality of protection of fundamental rights in the EU changed dramatically with the entry into force of the ToL. Under Article 2 TEU, which lists the values on which the Union is founded, respect for fundamental rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities, is recognised as one of them. The great innovations of the ToL in respect of the protection of fundamental rights were as follows:
■ Under Article 6(1) TEU, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union became legally binding and has the same legal value as the TFEU and TEU;
■ Under Article 6(2) TEU the EU will become a contracting party to the ECHR; and,
■ Under Article 3(5) TEU the promotion of fundamental rights constitutes one of the objectives of EU external action.
