EU

Sarkozy promises solution to treaty crisis by year end

Article published on the 2008-07-10 Latest update 2008-07-10 11:04 TU

Sarkozy addresses the European parliament
(Photo: Reuters)

In his first speech since France took over the presidency of the European Union, President Nicolas Sarkozy promised to find a solution to the crisis over the Lisbon treaty on EU reorganisation "either in October or in December". He said that he will visit Ireland, whose people rejected the treaty in a referendum, on 21 July.

"The French presidency will propose a mehtod, and I hope a solution, either in October or in December," Sarkozy declared.

While not wishing to harass the Irish, he said, Europe "has to know under what conditions and with what treaty we are going to organise the European elections", which are due in 2009.

Sarkozy predicted that EU enlargement cannot continue if the Lisbon treaty is not adopted and said that it is the "only possible treaty", unless the current one, adopted in Nice in 2001, remains in operation.

The French president again outlined his country's priorities during its six-months in the EU driving seat, giving first place to a package of proposals on climate change which the European Commission proposed in January.

"If every country starts renegotiating every point it does not like, we will never reach agreement," he said. "That's why we are asking the parliament to mobilise behind us so that the package is adopted by December."

Sarkozy, who recently angered European Commission President José Manuel Barroso by criticising the European Central Bank for raising interest rates to 4.25 per cent, said that he was not questioning the bank's independence but that "no-one has the right to prevent debate" on the question.