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EU meeting on Irish No aftermath 'No quick fix' to Irish No vote
(about 5 hours later)
European Union foreign ministers are gathering in Luxembourg for talks on how to respond to the Irish rejection of the Lisbon reform treaty. Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin has said it is "far too early" to seek a solution to the Irish rejection of a European Union reform treaty.
Voters in the Irish Republic, the only state to hold a referendum on Lisbon, rejected the treaty by 53.4% to 46.6% last Thursday. He spoke ahead of talks by EU foreign ministers on how to respond to the Irish No vote on the Lisbon Treaty.
The treaty cannot be implemented unless approved by all 27 EU states. The treaty cannot be implemented unless approved by all 27 EU states. Only the Irish Republic has held a referendum.
But the majority of EU members agree that those who have yet to ratify the treaty should carry on and do so. The majority of EU members agree that those who have yet to ratify the treaty should carry on and do so.
People are still stupefied by the decision of the Irish, we need to wait for the clearing of everybody's brains Andrew Duff UK Liberal Democrat member of the European Parliament Correspondents say the assembled foreign ministers will be keen to hear their Irish counterpart's views as they look for ways to overcome the crisis.
The foreign ministers will want to hear from their Irish counterpart Micheal Martin how they can overcome the crisis, while a two-day EU summit in Brussels starting on Thursday is expected to chart the way ahead. After their meeting in Luxembourg, a two-day EU summit in Brussels - starting on Thursday - is expected to chart the way ahead.
Search for answers Speaking in Luxembourg, Mr Martin told reporters: "The people's decision has to be respected and we have to chart a way through... It is far too early for proffering any solutions or proposals.
But Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen has said there is no obvious solution for the Lisbon treaty, which is meant to streamline the workings of the EU and give it a stronger voice in the world. "There are no quick fix solutions."
'Risky'
Slovenia, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the EU, is hosting Monday's meeting of foreign ministers.
"It would be risky to say we are going to bring the treaty back to life when we are facing a blockade," AFP news agency quoted Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel as saying.
Mark Mardell explains the Irish vote's impactMark Mardell explains the Irish vote's impact
Amid concern and frustration, BBC European affairs correspondent Oana Lungescu reports, the EU is looking for answers: "I don't have any solution. We are going to listen to Minister [Micheal] Martin, maybe he has a solution. We are going to wait and think and let us respect the vote that has taken place."
Why did the referendum come up with such a clear no? What changes could be made to accommodate the disparate concerns of Irish voters? How soon is a second vote possible, if at all? Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen has also said there is no obvious solution for a way forward on the Lisbon treaty, which is meant to streamline the workings of the EU and give it a stronger voice in the world.
"The discussions are not likely to go too far, we will not be asking him anything precise," an unnamed senior EU diplomat told AFP news agency. Amid concern and frustration, BBC European affairs correspondent Oana Lungescu reports, the EU is looking for answers.
Andrew Duff, a UK Liberal Democrat member of the European Parliament, said: Leaders will want to know why the referendum come up with such a clear No and what changes could be made to accommodate the disparate concerns of Irish voters, she says.
"People are still stupefied by the decision of the Irish, we need to wait for the clearing of everybody's brains." They also want to work out how soon a second vote might be possible, if at all, our correspondent adds.
Andrew Duff, a UK Liberal Democrat member of the European Parliament, said: "People are still stupefied by the decision of the Irish, we need to wait for the clearing of everybody's brains."
Unlikely alliesUnlikely allies
Separately, French President Nicholas Sarkozy is due to arrive in the Czech capital Prague on Monday for talks with the Czech, Polish, Hungarian and Slovak leaders. Separately, French President Nicholas Sarkozy is due to arrive in the Czech capital, Prague, on Monday for talks with the Czech, Polish, Hungarian and Slovak leaders.
Although Ireland said No, 18 states have already ratified the treaty LISBON TREATY PROGRESS Approved by parliament: Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, SloveniaReferendum: Irish RepublicChallenges: Legal objections in Czech Republic, UKNo firm date: Belgium, Cyprus, Netherlands (held up by referendum proposal), Italy (new government), Spain (new government), Sweden class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/6901353.stm">Q&A: Lisbon Treaty
Mr Sarkozy's Czech counterpart, Vaclav Klaus, whose signature is needed for the treaty's approval, has broken ranks by calling the Irish No a victory for liberty and reason over elitist plans and European bureaucracy.Mr Sarkozy's Czech counterpart, Vaclav Klaus, whose signature is needed for the treaty's approval, has broken ranks by calling the Irish No a victory for liberty and reason over elitist plans and European bureaucracy.
There is also growing pressure on UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown to stop the treaty from going through the last stage of ratification on Wednesday.There is also growing pressure on UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown to stop the treaty from going through the last stage of ratification on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, more federalist leaders like Luxembourg's Jean-Claude Juncker have revived calls for a multi-speed Europe.Meanwhile, more federalist leaders like Luxembourg's Jean-Claude Juncker have revived calls for a multi-speed Europe.
They say that some countries could push forward with integration in what he called a Club of the Few.They say that some countries could push forward with integration in what he called a Club of the Few.
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.