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EU leaders meet after Irish 'No' EU sets no deadline over treaty
(8 minutes later)
European Union leaders are meeting in Brussels for a summit likely to be overshadowed by Irish voters' rejection of the EU reform treaty last week. European Union leaders meeting in Brussels have refused to set a deadline for a deal on the stalled Lisbon Treaty after its rejection by the Irish.
Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said it was too early to decide the future of the treaty. Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said it was too early to decide the treaty's future.
But Mr Barroso urged other EU members to continue with ratification.But Mr Barroso urged other EU members to continue with ratification.
Correspondents say EU leaders want to move the focus from the Lisbon Treaty to "real" issues like fuel prices.Correspondents say EU leaders want to move the focus from the Lisbon Treaty to "real" issues like fuel prices.
"Our first concern is the economic situation in Europe. Oil prices, food prices, that's what we are going to discuss," Mr Barroso said."Our first concern is the economic situation in Europe. Oil prices, food prices, that's what we are going to discuss," Mr Barroso said.
Renegotiation 'unappetising'Renegotiation 'unappetising'
But the uncertain future for the treaty is likely to stymie EU business, like planning for the accession of Croatia and other Balkan nations, says the BBC's Oana Lungescu in Brussels. Ireland's Foreign Minister, Micheal Martin, said he did not anticipate a solution even by the time of the next EU summit in October, according to the AFP news agency.
And his British counterpart, David Miliband, said: "It's premature to talk about deadlines."
The BBC's Mark Mardell looks at the options open to EU leaders after the Irish voteThe BBC's Mark Mardell looks at the options open to EU leaders after the Irish vote
But the uncertain future for the treaty is likely to stymie EU business, like planning for the accession of Croatia and other Balkan nations, says the BBC's Oana Lungescu in Brussels.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said this was one reason "why we all must have a passionate interest in the Lisbon Treaty taking effect quickly".German Chancellor Angela Merkel said this was one reason "why we all must have a passionate interest in the Lisbon Treaty taking effect quickly".
But how that will happen remains unclear.But how that will happen remains unclear.
The treaty must be ratified by all 27 member states to take effect. Nineteen have approved it so far, the latest of which was the UK, where it passed through parliament on Wednesday.The treaty must be ratified by all 27 member states to take effect. Nineteen have approved it so far, the latest of which was the UK, where it passed through parliament on Wednesday.
"It is necessary for Ireland to have time now to analyse last week's vote and explore options," Mr Cowen said."It is necessary for Ireland to have time now to analyse last week's vote and explore options," Mr Cowen said.
"It is far too early yet for anybody to put forward proposals," he added."It is far too early yet for anybody to put forward proposals," he added.
LISBON TREATY PROGRESS Approved by parliament: Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, UKDefeated by referendum: Irish RepublicChallenges: Legal objections in Czech RepublicNo firm date: Belgium, Cyprus, Netherlands (held up by referendum proposal), Italy (new government), Spain (new government), Sweden Mardell blog: The meaning of "No"EU crisis: The same, but different Cuba awaits sanctions decisionLISBON TREATY PROGRESS Approved by parliament: Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, UKDefeated by referendum: Irish RepublicChallenges: Legal objections in Czech RepublicNo firm date: Belgium, Cyprus, Netherlands (held up by referendum proposal), Italy (new government), Spain (new government), Sweden Mardell blog: The meaning of "No"EU crisis: The same, but different Cuba awaits sanctions decision
Mr Barroso suggested decisions on the treaty be put off until October.Mr Barroso suggested decisions on the treaty be put off until October.
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said he did not "detect any appetite" for a renegotiation of the treaty. Britain's Mr Miliband said he did not "detect any appetite" for a renegotiation of the treaty.
EU leaders are expected to examine soaring energy and food prices, which have led to protests across Europe. At the summit, EU leaders are expected to examine soaring energy and food prices, which have led to protests across Europe.
Mr Barroso has said the EU will back short-term measures to address social hardship, but he has warned that high oil prices have to be tackled with long-term plans.Mr Barroso has said the EU will back short-term measures to address social hardship, but he has warned that high oil prices have to be tackled with long-term plans.
Our correspondent says the summit will reassure Balkan countries that they can join the bloc when they meet the required economic and political conditions, and back plans for an "eastern partnership" with former Soviet republics like Ukraine.Our correspondent says the summit will reassure Balkan countries that they can join the bloc when they meet the required economic and political conditions, and back plans for an "eastern partnership" with former Soviet republics like Ukraine.
But diplomats say it will be difficult to continue with enlargement until the EU can agree on ways to work better, either with or without the reform treaty.But diplomats say it will be difficult to continue with enlargement until the EU can agree on ways to work better, either with or without the reform treaty.
Germany and France have been at pains to impress this on the Czech Republic and Poland, which are keen on eastward expansion of the EU but hesitating over ratification of Lisbon.Germany and France have been at pains to impress this on the Czech Republic and Poland, which are keen on eastward expansion of the EU but hesitating over ratification of Lisbon.
At the summit, the leaders will also turn their attention to the possibility of lifting sanctions on Cuba - as well as Zimbabwe's forthcoming elections.At the summit, the leaders will also turn their attention to the possibility of lifting sanctions on Cuba - as well as Zimbabwe's forthcoming elections.