Berlin - German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle welcomed Monday's Czech court ruling which paved the way for the last remaining country to ratify the Lisbon Treaty.

"This is a good day for Europe," Westerwelle said, during his inaugural visits to Luxembourg and Belgium after taking up office last week.

"Europe needs the Lisbon deal, in order to finally gain new capacity to act," the foreign minister said, adding that it was time to leave behind internal discussions over EU reform.

"On the basis of the new treaty it is time to devise concrete and good policies to the advantage of citizens in Europe," Westerwelle added. (dpa)