Simplifying the European Union, No Easy Task

(07 May 09 - RV) The Czech upper house approved the European Union's Lisbon reform treaty yesterday, putting the onus for its adoption squarely onto Irish voters who will hold a second referendum later this year.

The eurosceptic Czech president, Vaclav Klaus, made clear he would not ratify the parliamentary vote unless the Irish, who have already rejected the treaty once, vote 'Yes' this time.

The Lisbon Treaty is meant to simplify decision-making in a Union that has grown from 15 to 27 members since 2004.

The Professor of International Relations at The American University of Rome, James Walston, spoke with us about the direction European integration is taking: