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EU 'must find treaty solution' EU 'must find treaty solution'
(about 2 hours later)
The EU must help find a solution on how to move forward after Ireland's rejection of the Lisbon Treaty, the Irish prime minister has said.The EU must help find a solution on how to move forward after Ireland's rejection of the Lisbon Treaty, the Irish prime minister has said.
Brian Cowen also admitted that there was "no obvious solution before us".Brian Cowen also admitted that there was "no obvious solution before us".
Some EU governments have been urging other nations to continue ratifying the treaty while a solution is found.Some EU governments have been urging other nations to continue ratifying the treaty while a solution is found.
Ireland was the only EU nation to hold a referendum on the treaty, which cannot be implemented unless approved by all 27 EU states.Ireland was the only EU nation to hold a referendum on the treaty, which cannot be implemented unless approved by all 27 EU states.
Irish voters on Thursday rejected the treaty in a vote by 53.4% to 46.6%.Irish voters on Thursday rejected the treaty in a vote by 53.4% to 46.6%.
'Finished' treaty'Finished' treaty
"I want Europe to try and provide some of the solution as well as just suggesting that it is just Ireland's problem alone," Mr Cowen told Ireland's RTE radio on Sunday."I want Europe to try and provide some of the solution as well as just suggesting that it is just Ireland's problem alone," Mr Cowen told Ireland's RTE radio on Sunday.
Irish voters give their reasons for voting No or Yes for the Lisbon treatyIn picturesIrish voters give their reasons for voting No or Yes for the Lisbon treatyIn pictures
"Although Ireland has a position here that we have to try and deal with."Although Ireland has a position here that we have to try and deal with.
"As things stand if there is no change, if there are no political developments, if we can't come up with any solutions then obviously this treaty does not proceed," Mr Cowen added."As things stand if there is no change, if there are no political developments, if we can't come up with any solutions then obviously this treaty does not proceed," Mr Cowen added.
France and Germany have described the "No" vote as a serious blow but urged the EU to press ahead with the project.France and Germany have described the "No" vote as a serious blow but urged the EU to press ahead with the project.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said earlier this week that ratifications must carry on so that the Irish vote did not "become a crisis".French President Nicolas Sarkozy said earlier this week that ratifications must carry on so that the Irish vote did not "become a crisis".
But Czech President Vaclav Klaus said the treaty was finished, since any further ratification was impossible.But Czech President Vaclav Klaus said the treaty was finished, since any further ratification was impossible.
StreamliningStreamlining
His is a lone voice among EU leaders, but his views will probably resonate with many European voters who did not get a say in a referendum, says the BBC's Oana Lungescu in Brussels.His is a lone voice among EU leaders, but his views will probably resonate with many European voters who did not get a say in a referendum, says the BBC's Oana Lungescu in Brussels.
Ratifications should continue to take their course Jose Manuel BarrosoEuropean Commission President 'No bulldozing' Irish on EU voteEU mulls options after 'No' voteMark Mardell's EuroblogRatifications should continue to take their course Jose Manuel BarrosoEuropean Commission President 'No bulldozing' Irish on EU voteEU mulls options after 'No' voteMark Mardell's Euroblog
The third failed referendum on an EU treaty in three years can only be seen as a serious blow to the EU's credibility at home and abroad, our correspondent adds.The third failed referendum on an EU treaty in three years can only be seen as a serious blow to the EU's credibility at home and abroad, our correspondent adds.
The European Commission says nations should continue to ratify the treaty.The European Commission says nations should continue to ratify the treaty.
Lisbon is supposed to replace the European constitution, which was rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005.Lisbon is supposed to replace the European constitution, which was rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005.
The treaty is aimed at helping the EU to cope with its expansion into eastern Europe.The treaty is aimed at helping the EU to cope with its expansion into eastern Europe.
It provides for a streamlining of the European Commission, the removal of the national veto in more policy areas, a new president of the European Council and a strengthened foreign affairs post.It provides for a streamlining of the European Commission, the removal of the national veto in more policy areas, a new president of the European Council and a strengthened foreign affairs post.
It is due to come into force on 1 January 2009.It is due to come into force on 1 January 2009.
Fourteen countries out of the 27 have completed ratification so far. National parliaments in 18 countries out of the 27 have completed ratification so far.