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Czech leader signs Lisbon Treaty EU reform treaty passes last test
(20 minutes later)
Czech President Vaclav Klaus has signed the European Union's Lisbon Treaty, the final step in its ratification.Czech President Vaclav Klaus has signed the European Union's Lisbon Treaty, the final step in its ratification.
The Czech Republic was the only EU country not to have approved the treaty, which was drawn up to streamline decision-making in the EU. The treaty was drawn up to streamline decision-making in the EU, and is a watered-down version of a draft EU constitution rejected four years ago.
Mr Klaus signed the treaty shortly after the Czech constitutional court rejected a complaint against it. Among its measures, it creates a European Council president and alters the way member states vote.
Among its measures, the treaty creates a European Council president and alters the way member states vote.
The treaty could now come into force as early as December.The treaty could now come into force as early as December.
The treaty's supporters say it will allow the EU to operate more efficiently and give it greater influence in world affairs. Critics say it will cede too many national powers to Brussels. The Lisbon Treaty's supporters say it will allow the EU to operate more efficiently and give it greater influence in world affairs. Critics say it will cede too many national powers to Brussels.
LISBON TREATY Creates new post of EU president (President of European Council)New post of high representative for foreign affairsMore decisions by majority vote rather than unanimityRatified by all member states except Czech RepublicOnly Irish Republic held referendum on it - twice ('Yes' vote second time)Took a decade of negotiationsWas intended to take effect in January 2009 Q&A: The Lisbon Treaty UK opposition leader 'disappointed' LISBON TREATY Creates new post of EU president (President of European Council)New post of high representative for foreign affairsMore decisions by majority vote rather than unanimityRatified by all member states except Czech RepublicOnly Irish Republic held referendum on it - twice ('Yes' vote second time)Took a decade of negotiationsWas intended to take effect in January 2009 Q&A: The Lisbon Treaty href="/2/hi/europe/8337791.stm">Timeline: The road to Lisbon class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8339522.stm">UK opposition leader 'disappointed'
Britain's Conservative Party, which has opposed the treaty, said it would announce its response on Wednesday. Britain's opposition Conservative Party, which has argued the treaty should be put to a referendum, said it would announce its response on Wednesday.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown welcomed the ratification, and said it marked the end of years of debate.
"Today is a day when Europe looks forward," he said.
Court bias
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.
A BBC correspondent says Mr Klaus accused the court of bias and said the Czech Republic was no longer sovereign.A BBC correspondent says Mr Klaus accused the court of bias and said the Czech Republic was no longer sovereign.
The Eurosceptic Czech leader had recently said he would no longer attempt to block the treaty, after receiving the promise of an opt-out from the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights.The Eurosceptic Czech leader had recently said he would no longer attempt to block the treaty, after receiving the promise of an opt-out from the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights.
Mr Klaus said the opt-out was needed to avoid property claims from ethnic Germans expelled from Czechoslovakia after World War II.Mr Klaus said the opt-out was needed to avoid property claims from ethnic Germans expelled from Czechoslovakia after World War II.
The Lisbon Treaty replaced an earlier draft constitution, which was rejected in referendums in France and the Netherlands in 2005. The Lisbon Treaty replaced an earlier draft constitution that was rejected in referendums in France and the Netherlands in 2005.
It would create the post of a new European Council president who would serve a term of two-and-a-half years.It would create the post of a new European Council president who would serve a term of two-and-a-half years.
It also provides for a new foreign policy chief, combining the posts of the existing foreign affairs representative and the external affairs commissioner.It also provides for a new foreign policy chief, combining the posts of the existing foreign affairs representative and the external affairs commissioner.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said earlier that he hoped the EU could move "as quickly as possible" to make appointments to the new posts.European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said earlier that he hoped the EU could move "as quickly as possible" to make appointments to the new posts.
Are you in the Czech Republic? Do you support or oppose the signing of the treaty? What is the wider impact for the EU as a whole? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in the Czech Republic? Do you support or oppose the signing of the treaty? What is the wider impact for the EU as a whole? Send us your comments using the form below.
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