The new European Union Treaty, the so-called Lisbon Treaty, has been approved by the upper house of the German parliament, the Bundesrat.

The vote was its last legislative hurdle in the 27-nation bloc's most populous country.

The treaty was easily approved by the required two-thirds majority in the upper house, representing the country's 16 states, on Friday morning. All but one voted in favor.

The treaty was overwhelmingly backed by the lower house, the Bundestag, last month. Chancellor Angela Merkel had said it creates "no less than a new foundation for Europe.''

The treaty would alter the EU's decision-making process, envisaging more decisions by majority vote rather than unanimous endorsement. It would also provide for an EU president and a more powerful senior foreign policy official to give the bloc a stronger voice in global affairs.

Only President Horst Koehler's signature, as a formality, is required to complete the ratification.

FTP/PA