Barroso congratulates Britain on passing EU treaty

(BRUSSELS) - British parliamentary approval of the Lisbon reform treaty is proof that it remains "a living document" despite its rejection by voters in Ireland, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said Wednesday.

In a statement on the eve of an EU summit, Barroso called on the rest of the 27-nation bloc to continue with the ratification process, despite calls for the document to be scrapped after the crushing Irish decision.

"I would like to congratulate the United Kingdom on the approval of the Treaty of Lisbon by parliament today," Barroso said in a statement after the upper House of Lords decided to give the European Union (Amendment) Bill a third and final reading without a vote on Wednesday evening.

The bill is set to go for Royal Assent by Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday morning, hours before Prime Minister Gordon Brown takes his place at the EU summit in Brussels.

"I would like to thank the (British) government and parliament for the constant support for the new treaty during the negotiation and ratification process," Barroso said.

"Another endorsement of the treaty proves that it is still a living document," he added.

Ratification of the treaty in Britain is seen in Brussels as critical, given the depth of eurosceptism in the country.

Barroso said: "This confirmation gives the European Union a strong impetus and motivation for the completion of ratification procedures in the rest of the member States."

Looking ahead to the summit he said: "There is no doubt that a thorough political deliberation is required to find, together with Ireland, a way out of this situation."

"There is no rapid solution. However, the forthcoming European Council is undoubtedly the first opportunity for a discussion on this issue," he said, using the formal name for quarterly EU summits.

The Lisbon Treaty, which aims to streamline EU institutions after the bloc's expansion eastwards, was approved by members of parliament's lower House of Commons prior to last Thursday's referendum in Ireland.

All 27 member states have to ratify the treaty for it to take effect, but due to its constitution, Ireland was the only country obliged to hold a referendum on it.

Brown's government defied critics who called for a British referendum.