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U.K. ratifies Lisbon Treaty

LONDON: Britain on Thursday ratified the controversial Lisbon Treaty, designed to streamline the functioning of the expanded European Union (E.U.), but its future remained uncertain because of the crisis caused by last week’s “no” vote in Irish referendum.

Technically, the treaty is “dead” as the rules state the E.U.’s 27 members must ratify the treaty for it to become effective. Britain is the 19th member to ratify it and the process of ratification in the remaining countries is on.

However, the Irish “no” has plunged the E.U. into confusion with leaders struggling to find a way out. Some countries, notably Germany and France, want to push through the treaty despite the Irish “no” vote.

But others, including Britain, are opposed to the idea of leaving Ireland behind in a “two-speed” E.U.

Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen voiced concern over attempts to abandon Ireland. “I want to emphasise the need for the domestic and E.U. processes to proceed in tandem,” he said, asking for time for his government to sort out the issue.

The British ratification came after the treaty was approved by the House of Lords amid noisy scenes with Tories opposing it. Several protesters were removed form the public gallery for raising slogans calling for a referendum.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso thanked the British government for its “constant support” for the treaty and urged all other members to continue the ratification process saying the treaty would make E.U. more “effective, democratic and stronger on the global stage.”

The Lisbon Treaty, which replaced the draft E.U. Constitution after it was rejected by French and Dutch voters in 1995, provides for a new President of the European Council and an E.U. Foreign Minister.

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