Irish Say Yes to Lisbon Treaty, Czechs Reluctant

By Xinhua writer Ding Yi

While the whole Europe hailed Irish “yes” to the Lisbon Treaty, the Czech republic remains reluctant to sign the document, putting obstacles on the path of the European Union (EU)’s treaty ratification.

Analysts said that under unprecedented pressure from the international community, Czech politicians have resorted to “dragging-on strategy” concerning the ratification process.

Nevertheless, it seems likely that the Czech republic will eventually ratify the treaty, but only after some “behind-the-scene hagglings,” analysts said.

Irish voters approved the Lisbon Treaty in a second referendum on Saturday after their first “no” vote to the treaty in June 2008.

The Lisbon Treaty, signed by EU heads of state and government in December 2007 in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon, was designed to boost the EU’s global standing through reforming its institutions.

Treaty of Lisbon

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