Brussels, 17/06/2009 (Agence Europe) - Member states' ambassadors held, on Tuesday 16 June, a first exchange of views on a draft text on “legal guarantees” for Ireland on the Lisbon Treaty that the European Council is to adopt on Thursday evening. There seems to be broad consensus on the text put forward by the Irish which, in general, reaffirms that the Lisbon Treaty will not change EU and member state competences on taxation, will not affect Irish neutrality, and will not affect the provisions of the Irish constitution on abortion, family protection or right to education. These three guarantees will be taken up in a decision by the European Council. On the other hand, opinions still differ over the question of whether this legally binding decision should one day be transformed (as Ireland would like) into a “protocol” to be annexed to the EU treaties. In this case, the protocol would require further ratification by all member states (for example during Croatia's accession to the EU), which many countries -especially the United Kingdom - wish to avoid at all costs. The question should be settled by the leaders on Thursday evening, diplomats explained on Wednesday. The European Council will also adopt a declaration on workers' rights and social policy. Finally, Ireland will adopt a unilateral declaration on neutrality. (H.B./transl.jl)