Germany signs up to EU

Germany has ratified the European constitution, the ninth of 25 countries that must back the EU treaty before the draft text enters into force.

Only one of Germany’s 16 regional states failed to back the EU constitution, easily clearing the two thirds majority needed to confirm the European charter.

EU constitution draftsman, and former French President, Valery Giscard d'Estaing told the Bundesrat that Germany's support was "an historic event".

"The day after tomorrow, I hope with all my heart that the French are going to ratify this constitution through a referendum," he said.

"Ratification by Germany and France would mark an historic step forward for the future of the constitution and for Europe."

Germany has followed Austria, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain in ratifying the EU constitution.

But the national ratification process faces a huge hurdle on Sunday when France is widely expected to reject the text.

Berlin's Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer expressed the hope that French citizens would follow Germany's example.

"We hope that it will send a signal to France," he said.

The European Commission is using the German ‘ja’ to urge EU capitals to press on even if France says ‘non’ and if the Netherlands rejects with a ‘nee’ on June 1.

Commission Vice-President Margot Wallström welcomed the Berlin vote as Germany, Europe's largest country, tips the balance, in population terms, in favour of the constitution.

"We now have nine member states, representing 220 million citizens, which have approved the constitution," she said.

"The voice of nearly 50 per cent of the European Union cannot be ignored."

Brussels argues that ratification must go on - even in the event of a French or Dutch rejection over the next week.

"The commission thinks it is very important reason why the ratification procedures should go forward,” said a commission spokesman.

“It should be completed when all the peoples have expressed their opinion on the constitution.”

Countries such as the UK or Denmark may argue that negotiations must begin for a new agreement or their citizens could end up voting on a defunct constitution.

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