Brussels, 17/06/2008 (Agence Europe) - Speaking at the opening of the June session of the European Parliament, EP President Hans-Gert Pöttering said the result of the referendum on the Lisbon Treaty confronts the EU with one of the most difficult challenges in its history. The Lisbon Treaty is the answer to criticisms which citizens have levelled at the deficits of the European Union and its adoption is therefore “an absolute necessity” if the European Union is to defend its values and interests. Furthermore, without this treaty, the accession of more countries to the European Union is hardly conceivable. In practical terms, the president of the Parliament calls for ratification procedure to continue “without reservation” and for the Irish government to submit proposals as to how this difficult phase can be jointly overcome, the aim being to see the Lisbon Treaty enter into force before the elections of June 2009. Mr Pöttering invites his colleagues not to intervene immediately but to wait for the debate on Wednesday morning on preparing the European Council. (L.G./transl.jl)