BELGRADE, April 2 (Xinhua) -- The Slovenian presidency of the European Union welcomed on Wednesday the endorsement of the Lisbon Treaty by the Polish parliament.

    Following the vote in favor in the lower house on Tuesday, the Polish senate passed the ratification bill on Wednesday, the presidency said in a statement.

    For the ratification of the EU's reform treaty in Poland to be complete, the bill needs to be signed by Polish President Lech Kaczynski.

    When he does sign it, Poland will be the 7th EU country which has already ratified the Lisbon Treaty. So far the treaty, which EU leaders signed in Lisbon on Dec. 13 in 2007, has been ratified by Hungary, Slovenia, Malta, Romania, France and Bulgaria.

    The document will enter into force after it has been endorsed by all 27 member states. It is to ensure efficient operation of the enlarged European Union and strengthen its role in the world.

    Monitoring the ratification of the treaty is one of Slovenia's priorities as the EU presidency during the first half of 2008. The Slovenian presidency estimates that the treaty is enjoying support as the ratification procedures have already started in the majority of member states.