The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia and President of the European Council, Mr Janez Janša, welcomed today’s ratification of the Lisbon Treaty by the Slovenian Parliament. By a vast majority of 74 votes out of a total of 90, the Republic of Slovenia has become the second Member State to confirm the new institutional structure for more effective functioning of the enlarged European Union.

 

(Photo: Srdjan Živulovič/Bobo)

 

“With the Lisbon Treaty, the European Union is getting an instrument on the basis of which it will be able not only to regulate relations between the Member States more effectively, formulate common policies and deepen integration, but also to become considerably more effective on a global scale,” stressed the Prime Minister in presenting the proposal of the law on the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty to deputies. The ratified and enforced Lisbon Treaty will, according to the Prime Minister, provide the European Union with a clearly visible European identity and will offer excellent possibilities to enhance its role as a global actor in accordance with its economic as well as general strength.

 

Mr Janša also stated that he hoped for a successful ratification process across the EU Member States, since one of Slovenia’s priorities of the EU Council Presidency was to carefully monitor ratification procedures. During Slovenia's Presidency, the majority of the EU Member States could indeed ratify the Lisbon Treaty.