PRAGUE, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- Czech President Vaclav Klaus on Tuesday signed the Lisbon Treaty shortly after the country's top court approved the pact, removing the last obstacle to full ratification of the treaty.
Judges attend the closely followed session of the Czech Constitutional Court in the city of Brno, Nov. 3, 2009.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>
"I announce that I signed the Lisbon Treaty at 1500 (1400 GMT) today," Klaus told reporters shortly after the Czech Constitutional Court ruled that the treaty did not contradict the country's constitution.
Klaus, who has been skeptical of the treaty, which is designed to change the workings of the European Union, said he respects the ruling of the Constitutional Court.
Before Klaus signed the pact, it had been approved by all other26 EU member nations.
Klaus, who likened the treaty and the EU reform to "an unstoppable train," said he would sign it after an EU summit allowed an opt-out for the Czech Republic from the treaty's Charter of Fundamental Rights.
The Czech president made the request over worries of property claims by ethnic Germans stripped of their land and property and expelled after World War II. EU leaders agreed to his demand last week.
With the signing, EU leaders now can proceed with the long-delayed reform process, including appointing a new European Commission, the EU's executive arm, and selecting the first EU president and a powerful foreign affairs representative.
Chairman of the Czech Constitutional Court Pavel Rychetsky reads a verdict during the closely followed session in the city of Brno Nov. 3, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>
PRAGUE, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Czech Constitutional Court ruled Tuesday that the Lisbon Treaty did not contradict the Czech constitution, removing the last legal hurdle for the country's approval of the charter.
The treaty was" not in contrariety with the constitutional order of Czech Republic," Court Chairman Pavel Rychetsky said. Full story
PARIS, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy Tuesday expressed "great satisfaction" over Czech's long-awaited approval of Lisbon Treaty.
"The signature, marking the procedure conclusion among the 27 members (of European Union), guarantees the Treaty to go into effect on December 1st," a statement released by the Elysee Palace said. Full story
LONDON, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- Britain Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Tuesday welcomed Czech President Vaclav Klaus' decision to sign the Lisbon Treaty.
Brown said: "Today is a day when Europe looks forward, when it sets aside years of debate on its institutions, and moves to take strong and collective action on the issues that matter most to European citizens: security, climate change, jobs and growth." Full story
