Brussels, 15/10/2008 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission and the Irish Government are expected shortly to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to help Dublin get the message of Europe across better to its people, particularly with the prospect of a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty in 2009. During the visit of Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin to Brussels on 6 October (see EUROPE 9755), Commission Vice-President Margot Wallström offered the Commission's help in devising a medium-term strategy targeted on the fears and expectations of the Irish people with regard to the European Union. Martin accepted the offer, and it was agreed that Commission and Irish government experts would meet very soon to draw up an MoU defining the objectives, means, resources and responsibilities of each side in implementing this strategy. Wallström also offered the Irish minister Commission help in providing a more reader-friendly version of the Lisbon Treaty to be disseminated widely in Ireland. She might even become personally involved in the debate on the consequences of the Irish “no” vote on the new treaty and on possible ways out of the institutional crisis. She has been invited by the European Movement to travel to Ireland in mid-November. She may also be called to address the special parliamentary committee (made up of representatives from all the parties and from civil society) which was set up by the Irish parliament at the start of October and which is due to submit its report and recommendations to the Irish government at the end of November. (It is very likely to be on the basis of this report that Prime Minister Brian Cowen will decide on the proposals he will make to the European Council in December.)
A spokesman for the Commission confirmed that the Commission intended to conclude an MoU with the Irish government. He stressed, however, that Ireland was not a special case, since the Commission had similar communication cooperation “with a dozen member states”. (H.B./transl.rt)