Lawmakers on Cyprus have ratified the European Union treaty, despite
opposition from the communist party of President Dimitris Christofias.
The
Mediterranean island-nation Thursday became the 20th EU state to ratify
the treaty, after 31 lawmakers out of 49 present in Nicosia voted in
favor.
The charter is aimed at streamlining EU bureaucracy and making it easier for the European Commission to enact policy.
The Cyprus vote comes less than a month after Irish voters rejected the treaty in a referendum.
All
27 nations must ratify the treaty for it to take effect. Advocates say
it remains unclear whether the charter can be salvaged after the Irish
defeat.
Some information for this report provided by AFP and AP.
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Cyprus Ratifies EU Treaty
update