Czech President Vaclav Klaus has signed the European Union's Treaty of Lisbon. The Czech Republic is the last EU member state to ratify the document.

The Czech Constitutional Court earlier ruled that the treaty did not contravene the country's constitution. Last week, other European leaders allowed President Klaus, a euro-sceptic, an opt-out from part of the agreement. The move protects the Czech Republic from damages claims by Germans expelled after the Second World War.

European Commission President José Manuel Barroso says the treaty will come into operation in December or January. It will clear the way for the nomination of an EU president. The man tipped for the job is Belgian Prime Minister Herman van Rompuy, but his Dutch counterpart, Jan Peter Balkenende, is also a favourite for the post.

The EU will also get a high representative for foreign policy. European government leaders will hold a summit in the near future to decide on the two appointments and to name new European Commission members.

photo: : Vaclav Klaus announces that he has signed the treaty (anp/epa)