Statement
Prime Minister's Office 21 November 2008
Cecilia Malmström, Minister for EU Affairs
Cecilia Malmström on the Ratification of the Lisbon Treaty
- I am delighted that the Riksdag has voted to ratify the Lisbon Treaty by a large majority and across party political lines.
- More and more citizens are understanding that the EU has an important role to play in finding a global solution to the climate threat, implementing coordinated measures against cross-border crime, coordinating crisis management in the event of disasters and conducting joint research initiatives.
- For the EU to fulfil citizens' demands in the future, modern rules for decision-making are required. The Lisbon Treaty is a package of new rules that make the EU more open, more effective and more democratic.
Background
The Riksdag voted to ratify the EU Lisbon Treaty on Thursday 20 November; 243 members voted for the proposal from the Committee on Foreign Affairs to approve the Government Bill on the Lisbon Treaty, while 39 voted against. The vote was preceded by a nine-hour debate involving members of the Riksdag and Minister for EU Affairs Cecilia Malmström.
