Lithuanian green light for EU Constitution

Lithuanian green light for EU Constitution

Lithuania, one of the most recent entrants to the EU bloc has become the first country to back the new European Constitution.

In a parliamentary vote on Thursday, MPs gave their thumbs up to the text, signed just three weeks ago in Rome, with 84 votes in favour, four against and three abstentions.

A spokesman for the European Commission welcomed the ratification. “We congratulate them wholeheartedly…it is a very positive development indeed.”

All other 24 EU countries have to approve the treaty either by parliamentary vote or referendum before the constitution can come into effect.

A ‘no’ vote from just one member state would de-rail the ratification process.

Spain is set to vote on the text – via referendum -in February next year, followed by Portugal in April, Luxembourg in July and then the Netherlands.

Thu 11th Nov 2004

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