United Europe – Signed and sealed

Czech president Vaclav Klaus, who is widely known as a Eurosceptic, has put his pen to the EU’s Lisbon Treaty agreement.

The document paves the way for the streamlining of the Union's decision making process.

This removes the last hurdle to a united Europe and comes just hours after a court rejected a complaint about the agreement.

The Lisbon Treaty has now been approved by all 27 member states and it is hoped will transform Europe into a more influential global player.

The end of the ratification is expected to speed up the signing of a new strategic partnership between Russia and the EU.