The parliament of the northern Belgian region of Flanders approved the Lisbon Treaty late on Thursday, making the country the 22nd EU member state to complete the ratification process.

The Flemish parliament is the last of Belgium's seven assemblies which need to clear the treaty.

Belgian King Albert II now need to sign it before it is fully ratified.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso congratulated Belgium on its decision.

"This is a strong signal of how important it is that all member states are heard during the ratification process," he said in a statement.

The Lisbon Treaty replaces the EU constitution treaty, which was rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005. The treaty can not enter into force until all EU member states approve it.

The Lisbon Treaty was rejected by Irish voters several weeks ago, but EU leaders have been calling for a continuation of the ratification process in the other EU countries.

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