World
(2009-11-03)
The Czech Republic's President Vaclav Klaus speaks to the media after signing the Lisbon treaty in Prague
Czech President Vaclav Klaus has signed the EU reform treaty, completing the ratification process of a charter designed to transform Europe into a more unified and powerful global player.
Klaus, widely known as a Euro-skeptic, says he signed the Lisbon Treaty at the Prague Castle at 3 p.m. (1400 GMT), just hours after his nation's Constitutional Court ruled that the document, which already has been ratified by all other EU nations, does not violate the country's constitution.
Klaus said he respects the court decision, even though he does not agree with it.
Before signing the charter, EU leaders agreed last week to Klaus' last-minute demand - an opt-out from the treaty's Charter of Fundamental Rights. © Copyright 2009, Associated Press
