The UK has ratified the EU's reform treaty despite the decision by Irish voters to reject it since a last-ditch Tory bid to delay the process for four months was defeated by a margin of 93 in the Upper house of parliament.

The European Union will today come closer to a universal treaty on the physical punishment of children.

European Union leaders have overcome months of acrimony to reach agreement on a new reform treaty. It aims to speed up decision-making and clear the way for the appointment of an EU president and a more powerful foreign policy chief.

European Union foreign ministers today formally launched the final stage of technical talks on a so-called reform treaty, a stage that is expected to be wrapped up at an EU summit on October 18.

Polish President Lech Kaczynski said today it is "unrealistic" to expect a new EU treaty to be adopted before 2009 to revive the stalled constitutional process.