国际英语新闻：France, Germany consider Lisbon Treaty modification

DEAUVILLE, France, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- France and Germany pondered over necessary amendments on Monday about the Lisbon Treaty by 2013 in the hope of better responding to crises.

"France and Germany consider it necessary to revise the treaty (Lisbon)," said a joint statement issued after a meeting between French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Germany Chancellor Merkel in Deauville of northern France.

The amendment of the Treaty will be limited to "establish a permanent and robust mechanism to ensure an orderly treatment for future crises," the statement said.

In the case of a serious violation of basic economic and monetary principles of Europe Union, the concerned state's voting rights will be suspended in line with appropriate procedures, according to the statement.

"The necessary amendments should be adopted and ratified by member states in accordance with their respective constitutional rules in good time before 2013," it added.

Sarkozy and Merkel held a bilateral meeting Monday afternoon at Deauville before hosting Russian President Dmitry Medvedev later in a trio summit.

The Lisbon Treaty, signed by the EU member states on 13 December 2007, and entered into force on 1 December 2009, was regarded as the constitutional basis of the European Union.