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Czech court clears Lisbon Treaty Czech court clears Lisbon Treaty
(10 minutes later)
The Czech constitutional court has ruled that the Lisbon Treaty is in line with the constitution, clearing the way for President Vaclav Klaus to sign it.The Czech constitutional court has ruled that the Lisbon Treaty is in line with the constitution, clearing the way for President Vaclav Klaus to sign it.
The Czech Republic is the only EU member yet to ratify the treaty, and the decision removes one of the last hurdles for its passage.The Czech Republic is the only EU member yet to ratify the treaty, and the decision removes one of the last hurdles for its passage.
The Eurosceptic Mr Klaus, who was awaiting the court's decision, has said he will not further oppose the treaty.The Eurosceptic Mr Klaus, who was awaiting the court's decision, has said he will not further oppose the treaty.
The reform treaty is seen as crucial to making the EU work more efficiently.The reform treaty is seen as crucial to making the EU work more efficiently.
If Mr Klaus signs, that would pave the way for the treaty to come into effect throughout the EU on 1 December.If Mr Klaus signs, that would pave the way for the treaty to come into effect throughout the EU on 1 December.
The Czech president has been seen as the last major obstacle to the passage of the treaty, but he has recently appeared satisfied with a promised opt-out from the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights.The Czech president has been seen as the last major obstacle to the passage of the treaty, but he has recently appeared satisfied with a promised opt-out from the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights.
Mr Klaus has said the opt-out was essential to prevent Czech courts being circumvented, mentioning the prospect of ethnic Germans - 2.5 million of whom were expelled from Czechoslovakia after World War II - trying to win back their property.