Cyprus ratifies EU treaty

Cyprus ratifies the European Union's Lisbon Treaty despite opposition by the eurosceptic communist party of President Demetris Christofias.

Cyprus on Thursday ratified the European Union's Lisbon Treaty despite opposition by the eurosceptic communist party of President Demetris Christofias.

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A total of 31 MPs out of the 49 present in the 56-seat parliament voted for the treaty, the 17 communist members voted against and there was one abstention.

Thursday's vote came less than a month after Irish voters rejected in a referendum the treaty which is aimed at streamlining EU bureaucracy.