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Verhagen pleased with Lisbon Treaty signing

News item | 04-11-2009

Foreign minister Maxime Verhagen has expressed satisfaction at the signing of the Lisbon Treaty by the Czech president Václav Klaus, shortly after a ruling by the Czech constitutional court in Prague.

'This will enhance the foreign policy effectiveness of the EU as a whole, ' said Mr Verhagen. 'From now on, there will be somebody to answer the phone when the world calls Europe.'

Mr Verhagen also foresees benefits for the Netherlands. 'We are now in a better position to defend Dutch interests in the EU, and EU interests in the world,' he added.

Czech President Vaclav Klaus was the only EU head of government not to have signed the Treaty.

See also

• European Treaties