The primary objective of the article is an analysis of institutional and structural reforms of the European Union which were introduced by the Treaty of Lisbon, from the viewpoint of European social policy. The article shows that changes introduced by the Treaty of Lisbon are evolving, and certainly do not represent fundamental reforms which were insisted by the supporters of 'Social Europe' in the course of work on the treaty, first constitutional, then reforming the European Union. The impact of 'Europe 2020' on the development of the social dimension of European integration is also limited. The strategy strengthened the process of coordination of EU social policy, but the actual contribution to the development of social Europe will depend on the political will of EU member states.
