Germany ratifies Lisbon Treaty

Germany has ratified the Lisbon Treaty after it was amended by the Constitional Court.

The Lisbon Treaty Ratification Act was signed today by President Horst Köhler of Germany.

The process of ratification of the treaty was delayed by claims to the Constitutional Court leading to significant parliamentary amendments in the accompanying law.

President Köhler signed the respective legislation on Wednesday after a new complaint was declared inadmissible by the court.

President Barroso welcome German ratification, saying: "I welcome the ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon by Germany today.

"After the parliamentary approval of the Treaty on May 23, 2008, the judgment of the Constitutional Court on June 30, 2009, and the subsequent debate and adoption of the national accompanying legislation, I would like to thank Germany for its European commitment and constant support of the 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.

"I once again stress the importance of completing the ratification process of the Lisbon Treaty in all Member States this autumn."