Brussels – The European Movement International (EMI) welcomes the completion of the ratification process of the Treaty of Lisbon in the Czech Republic. After today’s signature of the Czech President Mr. Vaclav Klaus, all 27 Member States of the European Union have ratified the Treaty of Lisbon.

The completion of the document’s ratification is of crucial importance for the further development of the European Union. The EU can now look forward and get on with the task of implementing the necessary reforms, particularly reforming the EU institutional bodies, e.g. the appointment of the President of the European Council or the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

With the Lisbon Treaty in force, the Charter of Fundamental Rights becomes legally binding in most of the EU member states and further Lisbon reforms will lead the way to more civil involvement in European politics. The European Movement is confident that the new participation mechanisms of civil society organisations as well as the citizen’s right of initiative, as referred to in the Lisbon Treaty, will contribute to a more involving European Union and the EMI is ready to play a key role in organising the interests of civil society organisations within the new treaty framework. The European Movement also welcomes the fact that the role of the European Parliament, a direct representative of European citizens in the decision-making process, will be reinforced.

The European Movement appeals to the European leaders to now deliver on citizens’ expectations and fulfill the planned reforms of the institutional structure and functioning of the EU in order to enhance its efficiency and democratic legitimacy, and improve the coherence of its actions.