Copenhagen - The Danish parliament Thursday ratified the European Union reform treaty with a clear majority - 90 to 25.

There were no abstentions, while 64 members, including Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, were absent from the 179-seat parliament.

The government had earlier concluded that the Lisbon Treaty did not require a specific referendum as some parties had called for.

The populist Danish People's Party that otherwise has provided backing for Rasmussen's minority government in recent years voted against the ratification Thursday.

In a statement, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso welcomed the vote, noting that Denmark was the 10th country "to complete the parliamentary process of approval of the treaty."

"The ratification process is well advanced in the other member states, and I look forward to its successful conclusion," he added.

Ireland is the only member state in the 27-member bloc to hold a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, scheduled for June 12.

Denmark joined the EU in 1973, but obtained opt-outs after voters initially rejected the Maastricht Treaty in a 1992 referendum.

The opt-outs include the economic and monetary union, security and defence policy, and justice and home affairs.

Earlier this week, Rasmussen said talks with pro-EU parties were due concerning the framework for a referendum on abolishing the opt- outs. (dpa)