Sarkozy expects Lisbon Treaty to enter into force December 1

Oct 30, 2009, 16:12 GMT

Brussels - French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Friday that he expected the European Union's oft-delayed Treaty of Lisbon to come into force as soon as December 1.

'All institutional problems should be solved by December 1,' Sarkozy told reporters after an EU summit in Brussels.

His comments came after leaders agreed to offer the Czech Republic an opt-out from a key bill of rights in return for ratification of the treaty.

The text has already been approved by the national parliaments of all 27 member states, but it cannot come into force until it is signed by Czech President Vaclav Klaus.

Klaus had expressed concern that the treaty's Charter of Fundamental Rights could allow Germans expelled from his country in 1945 to reclaim their homes.

   He is also awaiting a ruling by the country's top court, which is due to decide on Tuesday whether the treaty is compatible with the Czech constitution.

The Czech obstacle had raised concerns in Brussels that the treaty might not come into force until early next year.

The Lisbon Treaty seeks to improve the bloc's decision-making process and give it a stronger voice on the world stage. It also redefines the composition of the EU's executive, the European Commission.

The delay has already caused the current commission, whose mandate formally expires on Sunday, to remain in power in a caretaking capacity until the treaty comes into force.

It has also stalled negotiations over who should become the next EU president, one of two new posts being created by the treaty.

Sarkozy said he and German Chancellor Angela Merkel had agreed that they would support a joint candidate for the job, but declined to name names.

Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende has emerged as a strong compromise candidate, after European conservatives and socialists agreed on a power-sharing deal.

Their arrangement effectively excluded the previous frontrunner, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.