16/07/2008 (Agence Europe) - The Irish “no” vote on the Lisbon Treaty once again brings the European Union face to face with problems of substance, mainly with regard to the perception that citizens have of it, states Pietro Calamia, in Lettera diplomatica of 24 June (Circolo di Studi diplomatici, Polasselto Venezia, Via degli Astalli 3/A, 00186 Roma). The former permanent representative for Italy notes the “general tendency in Europe to attribute all current ills to the European Union”. On 21 June in Lyons, during the meeting of the European Movement, President Napolitano had, moreover, called on national governments to stop blaming Brussels for their “internal difficulties”, Ambassador Calamia points out. He goes on to speak of an “enormous” graffiti at Ventimiglia station which states: “Disintegrate the European Union. Get rid of borders” - as if it were not the integration of Europe that has got rid of the borders. Mr Calamia, moreover, shares the analysis of those who consider “it is not a good democratic system to ask citizens to give their views on texts as complex as a treaty” (citizens voice their opinion in European Parliament elections, and it will be necessary to reflect upon how to involve them in choosing a president for the Commission, he added). Finally, Mr Calamia sees a major difference compared to the French and Dutch rejection of the “Constitution” in 2005 - the fact that the British government, despite the Irish “no”, has this time wanted to carry on with ratification of the new treaty. (M.G./transl.jl)