This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7499143.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Sarkozy warns EU on treaty debate Sarkozy warns EU on treaty debate
(about 2 hours later)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has warned the European Parliament that the EU must not waste time on more negotiations over the Lisbon Treaty.French President Nicolas Sarkozy has warned the European Parliament that the EU must not waste time on more negotiations over the Lisbon Treaty.
In a speech to MEPs in Strasbourg, Mr Sarkozy said Europe "must not be condemned to inaction".In a speech to MEPs in Strasbourg, Mr Sarkozy said Europe "must not be condemned to inaction".
He said the Republic of Ireland's rejection of the EU's Lisbon reform treaty in June must not lead to "some sort of institutional soap opera".He said the Republic of Ireland's rejection of the EU's Lisbon reform treaty in June must not lead to "some sort of institutional soap opera".
France aims to propose a solution before the end of this year, he said.France aims to propose a solution before the end of this year, he said.
"It is Europe's duty to act right now," he said, presenting French priorities."It is Europe's duty to act right now," he said, presenting French priorities.
France assumed the six-month presidency of the EU on 1 July.France assumed the six-month presidency of the EU on 1 July.
Despite the controversy over ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, France has an ambitious agenda, including reaching a deal on an EU immigration pact and a deal on climate change targets.Despite the controversy over ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, France has an ambitious agenda, including reaching a deal on an EU immigration pact and a deal on climate change targets.
The Lisbon Treaty must be ratified by all 27 member states to come into force. Only Ireland opted to hold a referendum on the treaty.The Lisbon Treaty must be ratified by all 27 member states to come into force. Only Ireland opted to hold a referendum on the treaty.
The treaty is intended to streamline EU decision-making following enlargement of the bloc, creating a new EU president and foreign affairs chief.The treaty is intended to streamline EU decision-making following enlargement of the bloc, creating a new EU president and foreign affairs chief.
Other treaty reforms, such as a new voting system and smaller European Commission, are designed to allow for further EU enlargement. The current Nice Treaty was drawn up for an EU of 27 nations. I always regretted that Europe was not wise enough to give itself the right institutions before it was enlarged President Sarkozy Q&A: The Lisbon Treaty Other treaty reforms, such as a new voting system and smaller European Commission, are designed to allow for further EU enlargement. The current Nice Treaty was drawn up for an EU of 27 nations. I always regretted that Europe was not wise enough to give itself the right institutions before it was enlarged President Sarkozy Q&A: The Lisbon Treaty class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=5087&edition=2">Send us your comments
"There will not be any new treaty. It's either Lisbon, or it's Nice," Mr Sarkozy said, drawing strong applause from MEPs."There will not be any new treaty. It's either Lisbon, or it's Nice," Mr Sarkozy said, drawing strong applause from MEPs.
EU leaders are due to meet in October to hear proposals from Ireland's prime minister about how to move forward after the "No" vote.EU leaders are due to meet in October to hear proposals from Ireland's prime minister about how to move forward after the "No" vote.
"I will go to Ireland on 21 July to listen and talk and try to find solutions," Mr Sarkozy said on Thursday."I will go to Ireland on 21 July to listen and talk and try to find solutions," Mr Sarkozy said on Thursday.
"The French presidency will propose a method and, I hope, a solution either in October or in December.""The French presidency will propose a method and, I hope, a solution either in October or in December."
'Family of 27''Family of 27'
He insisted that no country should be left behind in the European project.He insisted that no country should be left behind in the European project.
"Maybe one day we'll be obliged to have a two-speed Europe, but that will be the last resort… Europe is a family of 27 nations, we can't leave anyone behind. We have to keep everyone together.""Maybe one day we'll be obliged to have a two-speed Europe, but that will be the last resort… Europe is a family of 27 nations, we can't leave anyone behind. We have to keep everyone together."
He said the EU's acceptance of 10 new members in 2004 - most of them former communist bloc countries - had taken place without the necessary institutional reform.He said the EU's acceptance of 10 new members in 2004 - most of them former communist bloc countries - had taken place without the necessary institutional reform.
"I always regretted that Europe was not wise enough to give itself the right institutions before it was enlarged. That was a mistake... I want to say forcefully that we must not make the same mistakes again.""I always regretted that Europe was not wise enough to give itself the right institutions before it was enlarged. That was a mistake... I want to say forcefully that we must not make the same mistakes again."
Turning to economic policy, Mr Sarkozy defended his right to comment on matters such as eurozone rates and EU trade policy. He has previously criticised the policy pursued by EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson.Turning to economic policy, Mr Sarkozy defended his right to comment on matters such as eurozone rates and EU trade policy. He has previously criticised the policy pursued by EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson.
"If we, the political leaders, do not have the courage to debate - what's the right economic strategy, what's the right monetary strategy, or the right exchange rate... no-one has the right to prevent a useful debate."If we, the political leaders, do not have the courage to debate - what's the right economic strategy, what's the right monetary strategy, or the right exchange rate... no-one has the right to prevent a useful debate.
"We are not calling into question the independence of the ECB (European Central Bank) if we ask whether it is reasonable for interest rates to go up to 4.25% when Americans have 2%," he said."We are not calling into question the independence of the ECB (European Central Bank) if we ask whether it is reasonable for interest rates to go up to 4.25% when Americans have 2%," he said.