(COPENHAGEN) - There is no need for a Danish referendum on the EU treaty to be signed by heads of state next week in Lisbon, a Danish panel of legal experts at the justice ministry ruled Tuesday.

"The treaty does not transfer sovereignty to the European Union and does not violate Article 20 of the Danish constitution," the panel said.

Article 20 stipulates that a referendum must be held if part of Denmark's sovereignty is to be transferred to an international body.

Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen has previously said he sees no need for a referendum but said Tuesday he would announce on December 11 whether or not to call a plebiscite.

"The parties in parliament need time to examine this document," he said.

"To me there is a very clear difference between the treaty on the European Constitution, which required a referendum because of the transfer of sovereignty, and this reformed treaty," Rasmussen said.

A majority of Danes would like to vote in a referendum on the new treaty and the "no" vote would win, according to an October opinion poll.

Text and Picture Copyright 2007 AFP. All other Copyright 2007 EUbusiness Ltd. All rights reserved. This material is intended solely for personal use. Any other reproduction, publication or redistribution of this material without the written agreement of the copyright owner is strictly forbidden and any breach of copyright will be considered actionable.