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Working with Ireland to find a way out
June 18, 2008
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier wants all EU Member States – including Ireland – to work together to find a way out of the situation after the failed Irish referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. On Monday, 16th June the EU foreign ministers discussed how to proceed in Luxembourg.
"We need Ireland for all potential solutions", Steinmeier commented – with the exception of simply halting the ratification process which no Member State wants to happen. The results of the referenda in France and the Netherlands in 2005 were also perceived to be a European problem, as the Minister emphasised. The same applies, he feels, to the result of the Irish vote. That is why a way out has to be sought together with Ireland.
Minister Steinmeier felt it was encouraging that Ireland was dealing with the result very carefully. The Irish Foreign Minister reported that Ireland wanted to remain at the heart of Europe and that the vote did not have to be the end of a development.
On 12th June the Irish population rejected the Lisbon Treaty in a referendum. All 27 EU Member States have to ratify for the Treaty to enter into force. To date, 18 countries have done so. Alongside Ireland, the Czech Republic, Britain, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Sweden, Cyprus and the Netherlands still need to complete ratification.
No quick-fix solution expected
Minister Steinmeier does not expect a quick-fix solution to the current crisis. During the discussion among the ministers, his Irish counterpart made plain that Ireland will not be in a position to present proposals on how to proceed in time for the European Council on 19th and 20th June. "We should not ask too much of Ireland", Steinmeier was keen to emphasise. For that reason he was unable to say when the crisis would be resolved. "I hope we will manage to find a solution in the course of this year", Steinmeier added.
He underscored that he sees no alternative to the Lisbon Treaty. The Treaty is essential for the European Union's ability to act, especially in the field of the common foreign policy. He was against abandoning the ratification process. This was a view shared by all the foreign ministers during the consultations in Luxembourg. As the Minister commented, "That is why we should do everything to ensure the ratification process continues."
Currently, the EU is working on the basis of the Nice Treaty which entered into force in 2003. The draft of a Constitution for Europe was rejected in referenda in France and the Netherlands in 2005. The revised draft treaty, on which Ireland has just voted, was signed by all Heads of State and Government in Lisbon in December 2007.
Also read:
June 18, 2008
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier wants all EU Member States – including Ireland – to work together to find a way out of the situation after the failed Irish referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. On Monday, 16th June the EU foreign ministers discussed how to proceed in Luxembourg.
"We need Ireland for all potential solutions", Steinmeier commented – with the exception of simply halting the ratification process which no Member State wants to happen. The results of the referenda in France and the Netherlands in 2005 were also perceived to be a European problem, as the Minister emphasised. The same applies, he feels, to the result of the Irish vote. That is why a way out has to be sought together with Ireland.
Minister Steinmeier felt it was encouraging that Ireland was dealing with the result very carefully. The Irish Foreign Minister reported that Ireland wanted to remain at the heart of Europe and that the vote did not have to be the end of a development.
On 12th June the Irish population rejected the Lisbon Treaty in a referendum. All 27 EU Member States have to ratify for the Treaty to enter into force. To date, 18 countries have done so. Alongside Ireland, the Czech Republic, Britain, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Sweden, Cyprus and the Netherlands still need to complete ratification.
No quick-fix solution expected
Minister Steinmeier does not expect a quick-fix solution to the current crisis. During the discussion among the ministers, his Irish counterpart made plain that Ireland will not be in a position to present proposals on how to proceed in time for the European Council on 19th and 20th June. "We should not ask too much of Ireland", Steinmeier was keen to emphasise. For that reason he was unable to say when the crisis would be resolved. "I hope we will manage to find a solution in the course of this year", Steinmeier added.
He underscored that he sees no alternative to the Lisbon Treaty. The Treaty is essential for the European Union's ability to act, especially in the field of the common foreign policy. He was against abandoning the ratification process. This was a view shared by all the foreign ministers during the consultations in Luxembourg. As the Minister commented, "That is why we should do everything to ensure the ratification process continues."
Currently, the EU is working on the basis of the Nice Treaty which entered into force in 2003. The draft of a Constitution for Europe was rejected in referenda in France and the Netherlands in 2005. The revised draft treaty, on which Ireland has just voted, was signed by all Heads of State and Government in Lisbon in December 2007.
Also read:
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