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EU treaty clears Czech parliament EU treaty clears Czech parliament
(29 minutes later)
The upper house of the Czech parliament has voted to approve the European Union's Lisbon Treaty, removing one of its few remaining obstacles.The upper house of the Czech parliament has voted to approve the European Union's Lisbon Treaty, removing one of its few remaining obstacles.
Czech ratification will not be complete until signed by President Vaclav Klaus, a renowned Eurosceptic who says he is in no hurry. Czech ratification will not be complete until signed by President Vaclav Klaus, a Eurosceptic who appears in no rush.
The reform treaty still has to be ratified in the Republic of Ireland, where voters have rejected it once. But the spotlight is now on the Republic of Ireland, where a second referendum is seen as the last major hurdle in the treaty's path.
The treaty cannot take effect unless all 27 EU member states ratify it.The treaty cannot take effect unless all 27 EU member states ratify it.
The Czech Senate voted 54-20 in favour of the treaty, aimed at streamlining EU institutions to make them more flexible after the 27-nation bloc's enlargement in recent years. The Czech Senate voted 54-20 in favour of the reform treaty, aimed at streamlining EU institutions to make them more flexible after the 27-nation bloc's enlargement in recent years.
Its passage had depended on many members of the conservative Civic Democratic Party (ODS) led by Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, putting their doubts aside and backing the plan. Its passage depended on many members of the conservative Civic Democratic Party (ODS) led by Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, putting their doubts aside and backing the plan.
Some Civic Democrat senators have already vowed to send the Lisbon Treaty back to the constitutional court. LISBON TREATY PROGRESS Approved by parliament: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, UKDefeated by referendum: Irish RepublicDelays: Legal challenge holding up ratification in Germany, Polish and Czech presidents also resisting ratification
Czech President Vaclav Klaus - perhaps the treaty's highest profile opponent - has argued that the treaty would undermine Czech sovereignty. He has not said when he will sign it. Some Civic Democrat senators have already vowed to send the treaty back to the constitutional court.
The treaty is seen by opponents as a way to impose a federalist agenda, undermining national sovereignty.
Czech President Klaus - perhaps the treaty's highest profile opponent - has not said when he will sign it.
"The Czech government and parliament cannot wield any influence whatsoever on the president. He is free to decide as he wishes," said Senate chairman Premysl Sobotka.
The government seemed relieved that the long ratification process was over - not least since the issue has hung over the Czechs' current presidency of the EU
Alexandr Vondra, Czech deputy prime minister for European affairs, said: "This is an important day for the Czech Republic, for its position and influence in the EU and the world."
European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso said: "This is very good news. I am very happy at the approval today."
Hurdles remainHurdles remain
Only the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany and Ireland have yet to complete ratification of the treaty.Only the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany and Ireland have yet to complete ratification of the treaty.
Poland's President Lech Kaczynski, another Eurosceptic, says he will not sign the treaty until it is passed in Ireland, even though the Polish parliament has approved it.Poland's President Lech Kaczynski, another Eurosceptic, says he will not sign the treaty until it is passed in Ireland, even though the Polish parliament has approved it.
In Germany legal objections are delaying ratification, though parliament has passed it.In Germany legal objections are delaying ratification, though parliament has passed it.
In Ireland itself, the government plans to hold a second referendum this year after securing sovereignty "guarantees". In Ireland, where voters rejected the treaty in a referendum last June, the government plans to hold a second vote this year after securing sovereignty "guarantees".
Ireland was the only EU member state to hold a referendum on Lisbon. Other governments argue that it is an amending treaty which does not change the EU enough to justify a referendum.