Prime Minister remains non-committal on Irish proposals

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi yesterday remained non-committal over Malta's reaction to the proposals being floated by the Irish government to resurrect the Lisbon Treaty.

Following a meeting in Brussels with European Commission President José Manuel Barroso last night, Dr Gonzi said Malta was still evaluating the proposals that will be formally made during today's EU summit. It will be leaving its options open to try to find a common solution with other member states.

"We still don't know the precise details of the Irish government's proposals and the Irish Taoiseach is scheduled to communicate with me before the summit. We will obviously evaluate these proposals and we are open to any suggestions that may lead to a solution on the Lisbon Treaty," he said.

Asked whether Malta agreed that the EU Executive should include a commissioner from each member state, as was being suggested by the Irish, the Prime Minister said that at this stage he was not in a position to commit himself definitely on the matter.

On Tuesday, Mr Barroso said he supported the Irish demand for one commissioner per member state "if this is an important condition to get the Lisbon Treaty back on track".

Following the failed Irish referendum on the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty last June, the Irish government has been under pressure to try to fix the situation.

Following studies and a period of reflection, Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen is today expected to tell his counterparts that Ireland will be ready to hold a second referendum next autumn, on condition that other member states agree to a number of concessions, including a permanent commissioner on the EU Executive.

As per the text of the current Lisbon Treaty, as from 2014 the size of the European Commission will be scaled down to a number of members corresponding to two thirds of the number of member states.

Mr Barroso and Dr Gonzi also discussed the ongoing negotiations on a new set of EU rules to tackle climate change and energy by 2020 and a comprehensive economic stimulus plan aimed at shielding the European economy in face of recession.

Dr Gonzi said he had also insisted on the need for EU countries to translate the recently agreed Pact on Asylum and Migration into concrete action.