The Czech constitutional court has ruled that the Lisbon Treaty is in line with the constitution, clearing the way for President Vaclav Klaus to sign it.
The Czech Republic is the only EU member yet to ratify the treaty, and the decision removes one of the last hurdles for its passage. The Eurosceptic Mr Klaus, who was awaiting the court's decision, has said he will not further oppose the treaty.
The treaty was drawn up to streamline decision-making in the 27-member body. If Mr Klaus signs, that would pave the way for the treaty to come into effect throughout the EU on 1 December.
The Czech president has been seen as the last major obstacle to the passage of the treaty, but he has recently appeared satisfied with a promised opt-out from the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights.
Mr Klaus has said the opt-out was essential to avoid property claims from ethnic Germans, 2.5 million of whom were expelled from Czechoslovakia after World War II. Mr Klaus had also complained that the treaty would cede too many national powers to Brussels.
The Czech constitutional court had been considering a case brought by 17 Eurosceptic senators who said the treaty would create a super-state, and as such would infringe Czech sovereignty.
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