Brussels, 30/01/2008 (Agence Europe) - After Slovenia (29 January), Malta became the third member state of the European Union to have ratified the Lisbon Treaty through its parliament, late Tuesday evening on 29 January. The Maltese House of Representatives unanimously approved the ratification motion submitted by prime minister Lawrence Gonzi, who was delighted that, “We began the parliamentary legislature in 2003 after a referendum approving our EU accession. We are now finishing the legislature with the approval of this treaty”. José Manuel Barroso also welcomed the Slovenian and Maltese ratifications, “I find it particularly symbolic that each of the first three countries to approve the new Treaty are member states that joined the European Union in 2004. This shows that enlargement is an inspiration and impetus for the future development of European integration”. Commenting on the Slovenian ratification, Mr Barroso said that it was, “encouraging” that the country currently in the presidency of the EU was setting an example to other member states to ensure ratification of the treaty before the end of the year. (H.B.)