European Union to Ratify Lisbon Treaty

Czech Republic President Vaclav Klaus has taken the final step in the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty for the European Union, becoming the final country to sign up to the treaty. This milestone comes nearly exactly 20 years after the fall of the Berlin wall that previously divided Europe.

The treaty could now come into force before the end of the year. Supporters claim it will allow the European Union to have a greater influence in world affairs and operate more efficiently, but it has had many critics that claim it puts too much national powers in the hands of Brussels.

The Lisbon Treat has taken a decade of negotiations and was intended to take effect in January 2009. But a signature from every country in the EU was needed before it could be introduced. The Republic of Ireland held a referendum where the public voted against signing the treaty, but after further pressure from EU leaders they held a second referendum where the public instead voted for the treaty. The Czech Republic was the last of the EU’s 27 member states to ratify the treaty. Mr Klaus signed it shortly after the Czech constitutional court rejected a complaint against it, ruling that it was in line with the Czech constitution.

The treaty will create two powerful new jobs roles: President of the European Council and a Foreign Policy Chief. EU leaders are expected to choose a permanent President of the EU Council and a foreign policy chief within days. Tony Blair had been tipped as the favourite to become the EU President, but Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy is now the favourite. The treaty also means that more decisions can be made by majority vote rather than unanimity, in an effort to speed up decision making.

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