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Cyprus ratifies Lisbon Treaty

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-07-04 13:11

NICOSIA - The Cypriot parliament ratified the Lisbon Treaty on Thursday despite the opposition of the main ruling party Akel.

Related readings:  Christofias elected Cyprus' president  Spain approves Lisbon Treaty  No deadline for fixing treaty crisis  Britain ratifies Lisbon Treaty  EU leaders sign Lisbon Treaty

After a tense debate that lasted six hours in the 56-seat parliament, 31 lawmakers voted in favor of the European Union treaty, 17 against and 1 abstained. The others were absent at the ballot.

Cyprus is the 20th EU member that ratifies the Lisbon Treaty, which has been rejected by the Irish voters in a referendum last month.

The Lisbon Treaty is designed to streamline EU decision-making and institutions in line with the continued expansion of the bloc, which currently has 27 members. It can come into effect only after ratification by all member states.

Lawmakers from the left-wing Akel party of President Demetris Christofias voted against the treaty because they fear the treaty would promote neo-liberalism which harms the working people.

They also oppose the abolition of unanimity in decision-making, which they believe would not be in the interests of small EU member states like Cyprus.

Other parties stressed that the treaty, despite of some weaknesses, would promote the national interests of Cyprus in a more integrated and efficient Europe.