“I welcome that President Klaus has taken the crucial step of signing the instrument of ratification on the Treaty of Lisbon in the Czech Republic. It’s now absolutely clear that the Lisbon Treaty will enter into force soon. At this point in time; I want to pay tribute to all those who have worked hard in the 27 member states to make the Lisbon Treaty a reality. The road is now open for the consultations on the appointment of the President of the European Council and Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative to begin. This will in turn allow me to start the process of nominating the new Commission.”   Contacts :     Pia Ahrenkilde Hansen +32 498/953 070 – +32 2 295 30 70 Pia.Ahrenkilde-Hansen@ec.europa.eu Mark Gray +32 498/988 644 – +32 2 298 86 44 mark-stephen.gray@ec.europa.eu