Poland - The Lisbon treaty

Polish PM signs treaty leaving Czech Republic as last to ratify

Article published on the 2009-10-10 Latest update 2009-10-12 13:30 TU

Polish President Lech Kaczynski signing the Lisbon treaty in Warsaw on 10 October
(Photo: Reuters)

Poland’s President Lech Kaczynski signed the European Union’s Lisbon Treaty on Saturday in Warsaw. After the Irish referendum on the treaty, the Czech Republic is now the only country not to have ratified the text. All 27 member states must ratify the treaty before it can come into force.

The Lisbon Treaty aims to streamline the workings of the European Union and changes the way that it operates, creating the position of president and changing the system of voting so that a double majority is required.

Following the second Irish referendum on the treaty and the resounding Yes vote, Poland’s agreement leaves the Czech Republic as the only member state not to have ratified the text.

“The fact that the Irish people changed their minds meant the revival of the treaty, and there are no longer any obstacles to its ratification,” said Kaczynski, who had been waiting for the outcome of the Irish referendum.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, whose country currently holds the rotating presidency, joined Kaczynski at the ceremony.

“Only [Czech] President Vaclav Klaus' signature is missing,” said Reinfeldt. “Europe eagerly awaits this to happen, Europe needs no more delays," he added.

Klaus is a strong euro sceptic and during a previous trip to Ireland he met with anti-Lisbon campaigner Declan Ganley. Before the second Irish referendum he said that he thought Europe was trying to “change the result”.

On Friday he announced that he was looking for assurances from the EU regarding opt-outs from the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

He must also await the result of a court ruling which will decide whether the treaty is unconstitutional.