Brussels, 18/12/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 17 December, the Hungarian parliament approved the Lisbon Treaty by an overwhelming majority (325 votes to 5 and 14 abstentions). Just a few days after signing the text (EUROPE 9564), Hungary has become the first of the 27 member states to have ratified the new EU Reform Treaty. Speaking before the parliament, Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany welcomed the vote that he described as “historic”.
European Commission President José Manuel Barroso also welcomed Hungary's vote, stating in a written declaration that he saw it as “an expression of Hungarian support for a more effective, democratic, transparent and stronger European Union”. This first ratification, just a few days after the signature of the text, is an “important first step in bringing the concrete benefits of the new treaty into effect”, he said. Mr Barroso mainly welcomed the fact that one of the “new” member states (which joined in May 2004) is the first to ratify the Lisbon Treaty. “This shows that enlargement is an inspiration for the future development of European integration and that enlargement and deepening of the European Union go together”, the Commission president concluded. The treaty is due to take effect on 1 January 2009. (H.B.)