The European Parliament (EP) overwhelmingly endorsed the new EU treaty -- the Lisbon Treaty -- at its plenary session in Strasbourg, France, on Wednesday.
"The European Parliament today has, by an overwhelming majority, made clear its political support for the Lisbon Treaty which was agreed by the 27 Heads of State and Government on December 13 in Lisbon," said EP President Hans-Gert Pottering.
He said the EP decision was "a clear expression of the desire for more democracy and a greater capacity of the Union to deliver." "It is a strong signal for the remainder of the ratification process, " he added.
The treaty replaces the defunct EU Constitution, which was rejected by Dutch and French voters in 2005.
The Lisbon Treaty gives the EU a greater capacity to take action, and strengthens democracy and defends common European values, said Pottering. "This is a great success for the EU and its citizens."
"In particular the European Parliament is strengthened by the Lisbon Treaty. On entering into force, the Treaty would make Parliament an equal law-making partner with the Council of Ministers on almost 100 percent of legislation," he explained.
Meanwhile, he said, the role of the national parliaments in the EU legislative process is strengthened.
"The European Parliament and national parliaments are partners. The treaty makes the EU more democratic and the legislative process more transparent, both on the European and national level," he said.
Furthermore, he said, the new treaty will give the EU "important instruments" to act more efficiently in key areas of concern to EU citizens, such as climate change, international terrorism or cross-border crime.
So far, five of the 27 EU members -- France, Hungary, Romania, Slovenia and Malta -- have ratified the treaty.
If all the 27 members endorse the document, it will come into force in January, 2009.
Source: Xinhhua
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