Europe News
Sarkozy: Irish no is a call to build Europe differently (Roundup)
Jun 14, 2008, 15:18 GMT
Paris - A day after Ireland rejected the EU Lisbon Treaty, France's European Affairs Minister Jean-Pierre Jouyet on Saturday called for an 'adjustment' of the text and a re-vote in Ireland.
'You have to give the Irish time to think,' Jouyet told Radio Europe 1 on Saturday. 'It is still too early to know what they expect of us,' he added.
The next meeting from June 19-20 afforded an opprtunity for an analysis of the situation, Jouyet said.
The objective is to keep Ireland's demands to a minimum without changing the substance of the text. The Irish could, for example, demand to be exempted from European defence policy. 'That would be an adjustment that would only concerns the Irish.'
French President Nicolas Sarkozy, in his first personal response to the Irish rejection by referendum of the treaty, said Saturday that the vote was a call to change the way Europe was being constructed.
'Many Europeans do not understand how we are constructing Europe. We must therefore change the way we do it,' Sarkozy told journalists in Paris after meeting US President George W Bush.
The Irish rejection of the treaty was 'an appeal to do more, to do it better,' he said.
On Friday, immediately after the official results of Thursday's Irish referendum were announced, Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel issued a joint statement calling for the treaty ratification process to continue.
Sarkozy reiterated that demand on Saturday, and added that this was necessary 'so that the Irish incident does not become a crisis.'
France assumes the rotating EU presidency on July 1, and the Irish vote was a blow to Sarkozy, who has ambitious plans for Europe. He admitted Saturday that the no vote 'will not simplify the task of the French (EU) presidency.'
COMMENT
blog comments powered by DisqusLatest Headlines in Europe
- 1. Pope in Easter message calls for peace and religious tolerance
- 2. Magnificent Messi leads Barcelona to ninth straight win
- 3. Pope leads Easter vigil, calls for "true enlightenment"
- 4. Barcelona increase pressure on Real with romp in Zaragoza
- 5. Pope Benedict XVI leads Easter Vigil
Older Talkback
page: 1
Oh, of course, the Irish must not understand. Maybe 289 pages of bureaucratic gibberish could be replaced by a 1 page constitution that everyone could understand, even Prime Ministers.
So, Denmark didn't understand in 1992, France nor the Netherlands in 2005, Ireland in 2001 and again now. Only 28% of Britain supports this business, yet Gordon Brown has joined the cabal. That is why none of these other countries got a chance at a referendum again.
Look out people. Your democracy is slipping away. Your pols and Eurocrats are feeding at the trough. Who else benefits from this that they keep pushing it down your throats?
Ireland don't loose your freedom and your constitution
If an employer doesn't like the product of an employee, he can fire the employee. In this case the employee is the people...
The employer is the people.
typical socialist manipulation. If you don't join us voluntarily we'll isolate and quilt you into compliance with the mob.
Well done Ireland... You have showed tremendous strength and courage in being able to stand up against the vicious 'Vote YES or perish' scare campaign that was waged against you. Your small step, has not only proven that democratic principles will overcome Eurocratic ambitions, but has also highlighted the lengths that some in the ruling elite will take to get their treaty through. Lisbon is dead! Long live London, Dublin, Berlin, Paris, Madrid, Warsaw, Rome, Amsterdam, Lubjiana, Sofia... 'united in diversity'
Throw Ireland out of the EU. They've become what they are thanks to their membership. Less than 1% deciding the fate of the treaty is not exactly 'democracy' at it's best.
If it were such a good deal, the Irish should just be jumping off a cliff to join. Heck, even St. Patrick had it easier and look what he was selling!
The question you should be asking is: Why aren't they?
How about an America's Union (AU)? Okay now, rethink what Ireland was saying.
page: 1
Yes VERY DIFFERENTLYJun 14th, 2008 - 16:32:11
Without those unelected beaurocrats.
Report this comment