By Sarah Collins - 8th February 2008
France’s ratification of the Lisbon Treaty confirms the country’s engagement with Europe, said commission president José Manuel Barroso.
He said it was “an important day for Europe”.
Three years ago France rejected the ill-fated constitution, followed closely by the Netherlands.
“It’s true France is not the first country to ratify the Lisbon Treaty but it is the first country to vote against the constitution. It’s a special day,” Barroso told journalists on Friday.
France became the fifth country to ratify the treaty early on Friday when the Senate approved it by a large majority. The Senate vote was a formality after the National Assembly voted largely in favour on Thursday, 336-52.
Hungary was the first country to approve the treaty, followed by Romania, Slovenia and Malta.
The treaty will bring about, amongst other things, an extension of the powers of the European parliament, the legalisation of the charter of fundamental rights and the creation of a permanent president of the EU.
Ireland is the only member state that must hold a referendum on the treaty, due in the middle of this year, but a poll last month showed that 64 per cent of Irish people are still undecided on how to vote.
Barroso was adamant that a referendum vote holds as much legitimacy as a parliamentary one.
“We can’t say ratification by parliamentary vote has more legitimacy than another form of vote.
“We have never opposed ratification by referendum in countries that wish to do it.”
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