In pictures: EU Constitution signing

1 of 11 Leaders of the European Union's 25 member states have signed the European Constitutional Treaty in Rome.

2 of 11 Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi (left) told his EU colleagues he wanted Italy to be the first to ratify the constitution.

3 of 11 But the first to actually sign the treaty was Belgium, followed by other member states in alphabetical order.

4 of 11 Rome underwent a makeover to host the signing ceremony in lavish surroundings.

5 of 11 The signing itself took place in the same room where the Treaty of Rome was signed to establish the EU in 1957.

6 of 11 With the leaders of 25 member states in Rome, security is tight in the Italian capital.

7 of 11 The rivers, bridges and subway stations have all been checked by police experts.

8 of 11 Former French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing (left) chaired the convention of government ministers that shaped the constitution.

9 of 11 The signing is just a further step along the road, and leaders now need to persuade their countries to ratify the constitution.

10 of 11 At least 10 member states are planning to hold referendums, while others will put it to a parliamentary vote.

11 of 11 UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw added their signatures, and said a referendum in Britain was planned for early 2006.