BRUSSELS, May 8 (Xinhua) -- European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso on Thursday welcomed the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty by parliaments of Lithuania and Latvia.

    The Lisbon Treaty, signed by European Union (EU) heads of state and government in December, will make EU's much needed institutional reforms possible.

    The entry into force of the treaty requires the ratification of all 27 member states of the EU.

    With the approval of Lithuania and Latvia, the treaty has now been ratified by 13 member states.