Hungary has become the second country to ratify the European Union's constitution.
In Budapest Monday, the Hungarian parliament voted overwhelmingly to approve the pact, which aims to streamline the workings of the 25-member bloc.
Hungary, which entered the European Union on May 1, joins Lithuania as the only countries that have ratified the EU constitution.
The text has been accepted by leaders of all member states, but must still be ratified by each country before it comes into force.
The constitution will create an EU president and foreign minister. It is aimed at speeding up decision-making by ending national vetoes in certain policy areas, including the economy, the judiciary and education.
Some information for this story provided by AFP.