Speaking at a post-summit press conference, a triumphant Sarkozy confirmed that agreement had been reached over the compromise package, which paves the way for a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty in Ireland (EurActiv 12/12/08).
"The Lisbon process has been is relaunched," Sarkozy announced, indicating that the Irish would hold a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.
"If the Lisbon Treaty is ratified by all member states, each member state will have a commissioner," Sarkozy declared. Political guarantees will be given to Ireland "concerning neutrality, tax and family," he added.
To make these commitments legally binding without reopening the treaty ratification procedure in all 27 countries, Sarkozy explained that at the time of the next enlargement, in "2010 or 2011, at the moment when in all likelihood Croatia will join us," provisions will be included in that country's accession treaty as "an Irish protocol".
The protocol will also confirm an increase in the number of MEPs from 736 to 754: three MEPs more than the number foreseen by the current Lisbon Treaty. The deal benefits Germany in particular, which will retain its 99 MEPs.
Cowen pleased with compromise
At a separate press event, Irish Taoiseach Brian Cowen expressed his satisfaction with the summit compromise.
"I am particularly pleased," said Cowen, "that our requirement of keeping a commissioner for Ireland will be met". The Irish PM added that the deal was "a major achievement for Ireland" and had been "very hard fought". He acknowledged that it had required "very significant concessions from others".
The idea of fast-tracking a second ratification of the Lisbon Treaty by means of an annex to Croatia's accession agreement was first suggested by Stanley Crossick, the founding chairman of the European Policy Centre in a post on Blogactiv.
