Federal President Horst Köhler has signed the German accompanying laws to the Lisbon Treaty and announced today that he will sign the instrument of ratification on Friday.

Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier issued the following statement in Berlin today (23 September) on the imminent completion of the ratification process in Germany:

“I welcome the Federal President’s announcement that he is to sign the instrument of ratification for the Lisbon Treaty. Germany’s ratification is a further important step towards ensuring that this Treaty, which is so vital to Europe’s future, enters into force soon.

The new accompanying laws have also enabled us to further develop and strengthen the role of the Bundestag and the Bundesrat in EU affairs. That makes Germany’s policy on Europe more democratic and citizen-friendly.

Germany’s ratification also sends an important signal in relation to the referendum in Ireland on 2 October. I am confident that the Irish will vote in favour of the new Treaty and that Poland and the Czech Republic will ratify it as quickly as possible.”