A deal has been reached on the first constitution for the European Union after hours of talks at the EU summit. The final text of the constitution was put to leaders of the 25 EU states, who approved it on Friday evening.
The accord concludes two days of intense negotiations in Brussels and four years of argument and preparation.
Reports say the other sticking point - a new European Commission president - has been postponed for later talks after a bitter row over candidates.
But both Germany and France backed a compromise constitutional draft put forward by Ireland - the current holder of EU presidency.
Now every country will have to ratify the treaty, either in national parliaments or through public referendums.
More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3820607.stm
The accord concludes two days of intense negotiations in Brussels and four years of argument and preparation.
Reports say the other sticking point - a new European Commission president - has been postponed for later talks after a bitter row over candidates.
But both Germany and France backed a compromise constitutional draft put forward by Ireland - the current holder of EU presidency.
Now every country will have to ratify the treaty, either in national parliaments or through public referendums.
More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3820607.stm