By Martin Banks - 1st July 2009
The ruling also sends a positive message to Irish citizens in the lead-up to their referendum
Daniel Cohn-Bendit
A cross-party group of MEPs has welcomed the German constitutional court's ruling that the stalled Lisbon treaty is broadly compatible with the country's constitution.
However, judges also said a new law was required to guarantee the rights of the German parliament in the EU decision making process.
German centre-right deputy Elmar Brok said it was of "utmost importance" that the Bundestag will pass the law within the next weeks before the end of its legislative period.
Brok, a former chairman of parliament's foreign affairs committee, said the ruling sent out "an important message" for the forthcoming Irish referendum.
"I welcome the intention of the German Bundestag to proceed in this way," he added.
"Germany will thus be able to deposit the ratified treaty document this summer, particularly as the German president Horst Koehler, has already signed it."
Further reaction came from MEPs Rebecca Harms and Daniel Cohn-Bendit, joint leaders of the Greens/EFA group.
They said, "The Greens welcome the constitutional court's judgment dismissing constitutional objections to treaty.
"Although it ruled changes were necessary to German national legislation that accompanies the treaty, one more hurdle to the ratification of these crucial reforms has been removed.
"Greens expect the German Bundestag will make the necessary revisions to accompanying legislation before its elections in September.
"Following a positive vote in the Czech senate, today marks another step forward for democracy, citizens' rights and the EU.
"The ruling also sends a positive message to Irish citizens in the lead-up to their referendum.
"The reform treaty lays the legal foundation for more democracy, social justice and environmental responsibility in the EU.
"The Greens will strive to build the necessary political majorities in parliament to deliver these benefits."
