But signing is one matter and ratification another.
What Mr. McMahan is suggesting would require an abridgment and ratification of a fundamental right.
He stressed that such treaty change "needs unanimous support and ratification of all member states".
But any new trade deal would require approval by the European Parliament and ratification by the United States Congress.
In a press release, the union said the "process of review and ratification will occur as an internal process".
The record for a monohull, set Monday, is subject to confirmation and ratification by the International Sailing Federation.
One near-term objective is completion and ratification of a new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty between the United States and Russia.
Hadrian wrote to the Senate requesting honours for his adoptive father and ratification of the army's proclamation; all this was granted.
Our goal is to anchor Ukraine in the European family, as symbolized through the signing and ratification of the association agreement.
The negotiating conference required consensus to approve the treaty and then send it on to member states for signature and ratification.
But its working assumption is that the five front-runners plus Cyprus might join in 2002, allowing four years for the negotiation and ratification of the necessary treaties.
