"A strong sign of the European institutions’ desire for modernisation, for a more effective and transparent operation of the EU": José Manuel Barroso interprets the go-ahead to the Lisbon Treaty that comes with a wide majority from the National Assembly and the Senate of France, which brings to five the number of countries that have ratified the Treaty so far. Paris’s vote takes on a special meaning: the first stop to the EU Constitution (replaced by the new Treaty) had come from the French voters, who had said "no" to such ratification through a public referendum on May 29th 2005. Bernard Kouchner, Minister of Foreign Affairs, explains that the Treaty "must be appreciated for what it’s worth", i.e. "as an important event in the building of the European ideal". Barroso adds that, "by being one of the first member states to have adopted the Treaty, France confirms its will to be a pioneer in its commitment in Europe". "I welcome concludes Barroso the European ambition of the president of the Republic, the government, the National Assembly and the Senate, as embodied by this decision, with a view to the success of the French Presidency of the EU Council", a post that Paris will fill on July 1st.
