EUROPEAN UNION: FIVE MEMBER STATES STILL TO RATIFY NICE TREATY.

Greece, Ireland, Belgium, Italy and the United Kingdom have yet to complete their ratification procedures for the Nice Treaty, according to the latest update. All ten other members of the EU have now completed their national procedures and deposited their formal instrument of ratification with the Council of Ministers. The United Kingdom is however expected to deposit its instrument of ratification in early May, following the completion of all national legislative procedures.In Belgium, the French-speaking Community assembly approved the necessary legislation on April 23, the Senate did so on March 7, and the Chamber of Deputies on March 28. However, the procedure in Belgium requires ratification by seven separate assemblies: the three regions and the Flemish-speaking Community still have to complete the process.In Greece, the Chamber of Deputies gave its approval on March 20. In Italy, the Chamber of Deputies gave its approval on March 26, and the Senate concluded its examination on April 16. A plenary session discussion...