Brussels, 19/06/2008 (Agence Europe) - After a pre-summit meeting of the leaders of the European People's Party at the 'Palais des Académies' in Brussels, Wilfried Martens held a press conference in Thursday 19 June 2008 with Julia Timoshenko to underscore the EPP's support for the current Ukrainian government and its prime minister. 'We respect the decisions of Irish electors,' said the President of the EPP (Martens), adding: 'All representatives, also of Member States which have not yet ratified, have explained their commitment to ratify' the Lisbon Treaty. 'We have to give time to the Irish people and to the Irish authorities to prepare a solution,' added Martens. He said it was not possible to hold a new reflection period like after the French and Dutch no votes because the Treaty had to come into force before the European elections. (A.B.)