20 June 2008

BELGIUM - Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen pleaded Thursday for more time to plot a way out of the EU's reform crisis, as his European partners vowed to press on with ratifying the Lisbon Treaty.

Ahead of a summit in Brussels, Cowen said that he had barely begun the process of consulting EU leaders on how to overcome the turmoil sparked by Ireland's stunning rejection of the charter a week ago.

"It is far too early yet for anyone to put forward proposals," he said.

"I am beginning a process of consultation and dialogue and discussion with colleagues that is about trying to find a solution for moving forward, about ensuring that Ireland can continue to play its role here in the European Union."

A week ago, more than 53 percent of Irish voters rejected the treaty, which is meant to streamline the way the EU functions as it grows, technically finishing it off, even though 19 other countries have endorsed it.

A further blow would probably send the EU spiralling into another period of political limbo as it did when French and Dutch voters rejected the draft constitution -- the precursor of Lisbon -- three years ago.

The Czech Republic and Poland are considered the biggest threats.

Just before chairing the summit, Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa said that he and Cowen had spoken and were starting to understand what had gone wrong in Ireland.

"I think that we are close to a good assessment of what happened and this is the most important starting point to fix the situation," said Jansa, whose country holds the EU's rotating presidency.

He also expressed optimism that others would continue to ratify.

In an effort to galvanise her partners, German Chancellor Angela Merkel underlined that the treaty is a vital reform tool that all nations must strive to adopt.

"We must see to it that treaties in the European Union are developed together unanimously. There is no other way," she told parliament before heading to Brussels. "We need the Lisbon Treaty."

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