Tombiński outlined the current status of the ratification process in Poland, which is almost complete. The Lisbon Treaty was ratified by the Polish Parliament in March, but some adjustments are now required relating to internal co-ordination of EU issues.
President Kaczyński has notably asked the government to prepare a new law on co-operation between Parliament and the executive to ensure concurrence with some of the modifications contained in the Lisbon Treaty, especially regarding the new role of national parliaments, the ambassador explained.
The other outstanding issue is the president's signature of the treaty following its ratification by Parliament. According to the Polish Constitution, the president has to sign an international treaty before it enters into force, the ambassador stressed. But since it is not currently known whether the treaty will enter into force, the signing cannot take place, Tombiński said.
The ambassador denied that his country is hiding behind the other six countries which have not yet ratified the treaty. He said the President is committed to ratifying the treaty as he took an active part in its negotiation. Also public opinion in Poland is strongly in favour of the Lisbon Treaty, the Polish diplomat emphasised.
But Poland will not make use of its influence with the Czechs by pressing them to ratify the treaty, he said, adding that the Irish example showed that external pressure is not always very productive in getting the result required.
