European Union leaders hold a summit Thursday in Brussels to talk about the future of the new EU reform treaty, following its rejection by voters in Ireland.

Hopes for the treaty's future got a boost Wednesday when the British parliament ratified it.

Britain Prime Minister Gordon Brown, 18 Jun 2008

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown told lawmakers he respects the Irish referendum, but that it did not mean other EU members could not proceed with ratification.  

All 27 EU members must ratify the treaty in order for it to take effect.

EU officials have said they will push Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowan to say whether another vote in Ireland is possible.

While some EU leaders want to continue the ratification process, Czech President Vaclav Klaus said the pact should be considered dead.

The treaty would reform EU institutions, streamline the decision-making process, and give more power to the EU president and foreign policy chief.

It is a revised version of the EU constitution, which was abandoned after French and Dutch voters rejected it in 2005.

Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.