Sweden ratifies Lisbon Treaty

The Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament, Joseph Daul MEP, has congratulated the Swedish Parliament on its approval of the Lisbon Treaty.

The Treaty was passed with a substantial majority by the Swedish Riksdag (Parliament) (243 for, 39 against).

"The approval of the Lisbon Treaty by the Swedish Parliament takes us one step closer to our goal of bringing Europe closer to its citizens. The Lisbon Treaty is about making the European Union more efficient and its decision-making more transparent. It is also empowering Parliaments, both national and European, so that citizens' voices are heard better than ever before", said Daul, Chairman of the largest political Group in the European Parliament.

"I am also extremely happy to see that the EPP-ED member parties in Sweden have actively promoted the Treaty and have proven to be excellent partners in constructing a dynamic European Union. The EPP political family has been at the core of drafting this Treaty and the support it attracts shows that we are responding in the correct way to the expectations of European citizens", Daul said.

"Sweden has today drawn closer to the heart of Europe", says Duff and adds: "Sweden has joined 25 other national parliaments in Europe, alongside the European Parliament, in saying yes to Lisbon. It is fortunate that Sweden does not have an eccentric, eurosceptic head of state to impede the completion of the ratification process."

"For Ireland, the message is clear. Small and 'neutral' countries need a strong and reformed European Union in which to live and towards which to contribute," concluded Duff.