EU's Lisbon Treaty nears completion

BRUSSELS, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- A new set of institutional rules governing the European Union could be in place by Dec. 1, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said after a summit.

The so-called Lisbon Treaty, eight years in the making, moved closer to fruition Friday at a summit in Brussels after member states agreed to a last-minute demand by Czech President Vaclav Klaus, the EU Observer reported Saturday.

The agreement allows Klaus to sign the pact after Tuesday when the Czech constitutional court gives its verdict on whether the treaty is compatible with Czech law. The verdict is expected to favor the treaty, the Observer reported.

At a news conference Friday, Sarkozy said the treaty could take effect by Dec. 1, and that he and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have agreed to support the same candidate to fill the new post of European Council president. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair is the most frequently mentioned candidate but Sarkozy did not mention any potential candidates.

Germany and France, acting together, will likely to determine whether the job is largely administrative or will have real authority, the Observer reported.