Brussels, 17/10/2008 (Agence Europe) - The financial crisis and the war in Georgia have made it more than ever necessary for the EU to have a stable Presidency of the European Council, as provided for in the Lisbon Treaty, stated Nicolas Sarkozy, President in office of the European Council and José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, after the European summit of 16 October (see EUROPE 9763). They feel that these two crises could help to change minds on the Lisbon Treaty, particularly in Ireland, whose citizens will very probably be called on to vote once again on the treaty which they rejected in June. The resolute way in which the EU, and in particular its Presidency, has hitherto responded to crises presents an “opportunity” to bring Europeans closer to Europe, in Sarkozy's opinion. “I'm ready to bet that Europe will come out of the crisis with a stronger image. I can see … people saying that, ultimately, if Europe can agree, it can protect us,” he told press on Thursday. To be as effective as the EU has been in handling the Georgian and financial crises, “we need a Council President who doesn't change every six months,” Barroso said, adding that he had noted in his conversations over the last few months with EU heads of state and government “a much sharper awareness of the need for the Lisbon Treaty”. (H.B./transl.rt)