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17/12/2008
Sarkozy Congratulates 'Irish Friends' On Promised Re-Vote
Top Euopean premier, Nicolas Sarkozy was full of compliments for the Irish following the Taoiseach's announcement last week that a re-vote on the Lisbon Treaty would go ahead.
The French President was speaking at he European Parliament this week before handing over the EU presidency to the Czech Republic at the end of the month, and after securing concessions made to secure a Yes vote in the next Lisbon Treaty referendum next year.
"Today 25 countries have almost concluded the ratification process of the Lisbon Treaty, and in the 26th, the Czech Republic, the constitutional court has just indicated that ratification can go ahead," the French Premier said.
He added: "If the Lisbon Treaty comes into being, there will be one commissioner per member state. This required an effort by some countries who believe that, to be effective, we need a smaller EU Commission. But we can only have the Lisbon Treaty if our Irish friends vote 'Yes'."
Mr Sarkozy also listed the concessions made including political commitments safeguarding neutrality, tax sovereignty and no EU interference in abortion laws, which he said were "no problem" for the rest of Europe.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen said last week that he would hold a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty after receiving assurances at the EU summit in Brussels that it would not threaten Irish domestic policy.
(DW)
The French President was speaking at he European Parliament this week before handing over the EU presidency to the Czech Republic at the end of the month, and after securing concessions made to secure a Yes vote in the next Lisbon Treaty referendum next year.
"Today 25 countries have almost concluded the ratification process of the Lisbon Treaty, and in the 26th, the Czech Republic, the constitutional court has just indicated that ratification can go ahead," the French Premier said.
He added: "If the Lisbon Treaty comes into being, there will be one commissioner per member state. This required an effort by some countries who believe that, to be effective, we need a smaller EU Commission. But we can only have the Lisbon Treaty if our Irish friends vote 'Yes'."
Mr Sarkozy also listed the concessions made including political commitments safeguarding neutrality, tax sovereignty and no EU interference in abortion laws, which he said were "no problem" for the rest of Europe.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen said last week that he would hold a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty after receiving assurances at the EU summit in Brussels that it would not threaten Irish domestic policy.
(DW)
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