02/12/2008

Cowen Faces EU Leaders On Lisbon

Taoiseach Brian Cowen is to face a series of meetings with European leaders on Wednesday on the Irish position regarding the Lisbon Treaty.

The meetings come ahead of a crucial European Council meeting next week, and will focus on finding a solution following Ireland's rejection of the Lisbon Treaty referendum last June.

The meetings will also discuss climate change, energy and the international financial crisis.

Mr Cowen begins his trip in Luxembourg where he will meet Prime Minister Claude Juncker before travelling to Berlin to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The Taoiseach will also meet UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown in London and French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris on Friday.

A report published last week from the Oireachtas Subcommittee on Lisbon, found that holding a second Lisbon referendum, and publishing additional material in the form of declarations, formal EU decisions on certain issues, or protocols, will possibly sway a 'Yes' vote.

Although none of the key policy issues that led to the dissent against the Treaty have changed, the prospect of all 27 EU states retaining a Commissioner was discussed between the Taoiseach and Finnish Prime Minister, Matti Vanhanen last week.

(DW)

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