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VILNIUS, Mar 05, BNS - Lithuania commences ratification procedure of the Lisbon Treaty, which is to replace the arrested Constitution for Europe.    The Cabinet decided Wednesday to address Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus with a request to propose ratification of the Lisbon Treaty to the Seimas. The Lithuanian parliament plans to ratify the treaty during the spring session, due to commence March 10.

An opinion poll conducted in Lithuania revealed that 73 percent of surveyed Lithuanian citizens didn't know anything about the new European Union's (EU) document, and only 27 percent had heard of it.    From those who had heard of the treaty, 51 percent of respondents said they are not well informed about it, and 46 percent said they would like to know more.

The Lisbon Treaty was signed in Dec. of last year in a European Council meeting and it should come into effect as of the beginning of 2009, after it is ratified by all EU members.

The EU's Lisbon Treaty, also known as the Reforms Treaty is a replacement of the Constitution for Europe which lacked the support of Europeans. The treaty is to empower implementation of EU's institutional reform following accession of another 12 Eastern and Central European nations during the past two stages of expansion.

At the time of a European Summit of last June, a new draft of the treaty was approved and received the support of basically all of the member states.