Brussels, 19/06/2008 (Agence Europe) - During the presentation to the press of the 5th progress report on economic and social cohesion (EUROPE 9685), the commissioner for regional policy, Danuta Hübner, spoke “as a European citizen” about the Irish no vote on the Lisbon Treaty: “The treaty exists and we need to go forward. There is real political determination to obtain a solution in the Union. We need a better legal framework to respond to the challenges facing the Union. It would be better for this new treaty to enter into force in order to improve the link between Europe and citizens”. Ms Hübner explained that the Irish prime minister and his government “have to inform Europe of what has not worked. We need close cooperation with the Irish government. We need to think about how our political strength in Europe is constituted”.
In reply to a journalist who expressed concern about only one of the 27 member states being consulted by referendum, the commissioner pointed out that “we have addressed people throughout Europe. We have spoken a lot about the treaty because we need it. In Ireland, we decided to consult the citizens through a referendum because this is part of their political system”. The commissioner concluded that “in Europe, our parliamentary democracies are based on trust. Personally, I have confidence in this democracy and in those for whom I vote. In 18 member states, citizens have displayed confidence in their national parliamentarians. This is my opinion as a European citizen”. (G.B.)