Crisis shows EU needs Lisbon Treaty, says Irish leader

Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen told his counterparts at the Brussels EU summit on Wednesday (15 October) that the financial crisis and the recent war in Georgia showed “the critical value” of membership of the EU and the euro zone.

The Irish prime minister hinted that his country could change its mind over the Reform Treaty. As French MEP Alain Lamassoure recently warned, without the euro, the financial crisis could have put Ireland, which has strong economic ties with the US, in much the same situation as bankrupt Iceland. 

Cowen promised his colleagues that he would present an action plan at the 11-12 December summit on how to solve the stalemate following the Irish ‘no’ in June’s referendum. 

EU leaders agreed to give more time to the Irish, although this appears to be a step back from a decision taken at the last summit in June, when Ireland committed itself to “considering the way forward” in October. 

Speaking to the press late on Wednesday, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, whose country holds the EU presidency, said he was considering visiting Ireland again in the meantime. 

European Parliament President Hans-Gert Pöttering told journalists that he still hoped the Lisbon Treaty could be enforced before the June 2009 European elections. He invited the Irish “to say what they want,” adding that “having a commissioner for everyone, including Ireland, should not be a problem”. 

A solution whereby Ireland could be given assurances through written declarations on problems of concern such as neutrality, religious values and abortion, coupled with a reconsideration of the Lisbon Treaty’s decision to reduce the number of commissioners, has been looming from some time (EURACTIV 09/09/08). More recently, MEPs said keeping the present system of one commissioner per country would not require the treaty to be reopened (EURACTIV 09/10/08). 

In order to maximise the pressure on Ireland, all 26 countries should ratify the Lisbon Treaty by the December summit, diplomats said. Sweden and the Czech Republic have not yet completed ratification of the text, with eurosceptic Polish President Lech Kaczy?ski saying he will not sign it unless he receices assurances that it will actually be enforced (EURACTIV 01/07/08). 

Polish President makes waves 

Kaczy?ski again stole the show at the summit, where he turned up without an invitation and without an access badge. His appearance was the culmination of a week-long tug of war between the Polish President and his Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who was adamant that constitutionally, Kaczy?ski had nothing to do at the summit. 

In the end, Kaczy?ski reportedly hired a plane for 40,000 euros at his own expense and arrived in Brussels, where reportedly he intended to prevent the historic leader of the Polish anti-communist movement ‘Solidarno??’ and former Polish President Lech Wa??sa from becoming a member of a reflection group in charge of anticipating long-term challenges to the EU (EURACTIV 14/10/08). 

Kaczy?ski and Wa??sa have been at odds since the historic trade union leader sacked the Kaczy?ski brothers from advisory jobs when he became president. 

The Polish press deplored the conflict, saying it cast a shadow over Poland’s image. An op-ed in the Financial Times carried the title: “Buy Brown and Sarkozy. Sell Poland.” 

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Conservative EU leaders endorse second Barroso term

European Commission President José Manuel Barroso came a step closer to securing a second term in office after being informally endorsed by conservative EU government leaders at a meeting prior to the EU summit yesterday (15 October), according to a German government official.