EU summit today to discuss Irish 'no' vote

European Leaders including Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, gather in Brussels today for a two-day summit dominated by the Irish referendum “no” to the Lisbon reform treaty.

Hans-Gert Pöttering, President of the European Parliament, has insisted that the ratification process shuld be continued in the other countries, adding that the adoptionof the reform treaty is an “absolute necessity” for the EU.

In comments made to the media Mr Pöttering said a detailed analysis will be needed of how this result came about and what caused the Irish, who have benefited from the European Union more than almost any other country, to vote this way.

“At first glance it seems that many of those who voted No did so from a particular angle - and indeed from often contradictory angles. Some business people favoured a No because they saw economic freedom as under threat; others, such as some trade unionists, because the treaty was not socially-minded enough. Yet others even believed that abortion would be made easier by the treaty or that the Irish tax system would be put in question. As General de Gaulle once said, in a referendum answers are given to questions that were not asked. I would not go as far as that, but there is a kernel of truth in that statement. What really motivated the Irish people, why they did not believe the European Union was going into the future on the right path with this treaty, remains to be analysed in detail.”

Mr Pöttering said the Lisbon Reform Treaty actually granted the EU more democracy, greater ability to act and greater transparency. It strengthened the European Parliament, gave national parliaments more responsibility in determining the course of European policy, allowed citizens of the European Union a power of initiative in relation to the European Institutions, and guaranteed local self-government.

“The Lisbon Treaty is the answer to criticisms that citizens have made of the European Union's shortcomings. This treaty brings the European Union closer to its citizens. We must make it perfectly clear that the adoption of the Reform Treaty is an absolute necessity, to enable the European Union to defend its values and interests in the 21st century. Without the reforms made possible by the Lisbon Treaty, the accession of further countries to the European Union is hardly conceivable.”

He insisted that the ratification process must continue without reservation, since 18 countries have already approved the treaty. Ratification by other countries of the European Union was just as valid and had to be respected just as much as the vote in Ireland.

At the summit opening today, the Irish government would give an initial assessment of the outcome of the vote in Ireland and put forward proposals as to how the EU could progress beyond this difficult phase.

“The Irish Government must have the first say in this matter. Not just because this is the custom but out of respect for the Irish vote.”

He said the European Parliament would devote all its energies and display maximum commitment to overcoming these challenges.

“We expect the same of the European Commission and of the governments of all European Union member states. We equally expect the European Parliament to be fully involved in the process. It remains our goal to see the Lisbon Treaty enter into force before the elections of June 2009 to the European Parliament.”