MOSCOW, October 4 (RIA Novosti) - The ratification of the European Union's Lisbon Treaty, whose chances were boosted by the results of a referendum in Ireland, will contribute to developing Russia-EU relations, a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Sunday.
Results showed on Saturday that more than two thirds of Irish voters were in favor of the Lisbon Treaty that sets out rules for decision-making in the European Union.
"We hope that the enforcement of the Lisbon Treaty will give an extra impetus to the development of the Russia-EU strategic partnership, raise its practical effect, and also strengthen the parties' ability to interact in solving common problems," Andrei Nesterenko said.
The reform treaty, signed in December 2007 to streamline decision-making following the bloc's expansion, cannot come into effect until ratified by all 27 member states. Ireland rejected the treaty 18 months ago.
The only other EU states that have yet to ratify it are Poland and the Czech Republic. However, Ireland was the only nation constitutionally required to put the decision to a referendum.
"We proceed from the fact that the completion of the process of the treaty's ratification will positively influence the negotiations on the conclusion of a new Russia-EU basic agreement, under which the issues of fine-tuning the mechanisms of our cooperation are discussed, among other things," Nesterenko said.
