Brussels - European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso on Friday thanked Germany for its European commitment after completing the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty. "With the German ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon, Europe has taken another important step towards more capacity to act, democratic accountability and influence at global level," Barroso said in a statement.
German President Horst Koehler earlier signed the ratification document for the treaty, which is intended to create a more powerful European Union leadership.
Germany is one of the strongest backers of the treaty. But its ratification had been slowed by lawsuits and a direction by judges to amend domestic legislation so that it clearly set out when Germany's parliament must be consulted on EU matters.
The treaty must be formally ratified by all 27 EU member states before it can come into force.
The ratification process has yet to be completed in Poland and the Czech Republic, but all eyes are now on the outcome of a referendum being held in Ireland on October 2.
Ireland rejected the treaty in a similar referendum held in 2008, but latest opinion polls have put support for the text at 59 per cent.
"I once again stress the importance of completing the ratification process of the Lisbon Treaty in all Member States this autumn," Barroso said Friday.
