Berlin  - German Chancellor Angela Merkel described the Treaty of Lisbon agreed last year, as "good for Europe," on addressing the German parliament Thursday ahead of a vote on the European Union reform treaty.

The treaty, signed in the Portuguese capital on December 13, represented a "win for Germany," as it would provide a solid basis for Europe to move forward.

Through the treaty, which combines and clarifies earlier agreements to streamline EU decision-making, would make Europe stronger and more self-confident than before, Merkel said.

She highlighted the introduction of more majority votes as a positive factor.

Bundestag observers predicted the lower house of the German parliament would pass the treaty by a clear two-thirds majority. The upper house, the Bundesrat, is to vote on May 23, and the required two-thirds majority there is regarded as certain.

In the Bundestag, only the Left Party, which puts up 53 of 612 members, has indicated it will vote against.

The 27 EU member states are being asked to ratify the treaty by the end of the year, ahead of elections to the European Parliament in 2009. Ireland is to hold a referendum on the treaty in June - the only country to do so.

No votes in referendums in France and the Netherlands in mid-2005 ended attempts to ratify a more ambitions European Constitution, leading to the drawing up of the Treaty of Lisbon, largely as a result of German impetus. (dpa)