Last night’s successful finalisation of the new EU treaty by ministers marks the happy end of an important discussion, Dutch prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende told reporters at a news conference.

The new treaty replaces the EU constitution which was torpedoed by the Netherlands and France in referenda in 2005.
It is now time to look forward, the prime minister said. People want to see a Europe which tackles problems, which takes action on climate change, works against terrorism and strengthens economic unity, Balkenende said.