Ireland must resist EU bullying on treaty, says Wallstrom
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Nobody in the EU wants to renegotiate the Lisbon Treaty and Ireland should resist any attempts to bully it, the European Commission's second-in-command said yesterday.
Commission vice-president Margot Wallstrom also cautioned that the disappointment across the EU at the 'No' vote here "could turn to frustration, if a solution is not found within a reasonable timeframe".
"I think everybody understands this is a difficult situation. Is there a way forward? I hope they will not try to bully you. I don't think that will work and you should resist it. But they are eager because there are European elections coming up," she said.
On a more positive front for the Government, the commissioner said she felt every country should have its own European Commissioner, contrary to the Lisbon position, where the numbers would be reduced.
Ms Wallstrom said EU leaders would wait to hear from Taoiseach Brian Cowen in December on his plans for the future of the treaty.
"The Irish 'No' is an answer -- not a solution," she said.
Renegotiation
But a renegotiation of the treaty is not on the cards, the commissioner said.
"It is unrealistic to believe member states will want to enter a renegotiation. My impression is that door is closed," she said.
"There is absolutely no willingness to open negotiations. Any other solutions, they will be willing to look at," she added.
The commissioner also dismissed the claims by Czech President Vaclav Klaus of the creation of a superstate or supranational identity in the EU.
"I think the idea of Europe as a superstate is dead. I have not heard anyone argue for a superstate. Nobody wants a superstate," she said.
The Commissioner said she felt the EU needed the new treaty. "It is like a cooking recipe, you need all the right ingredients, but the proof of the pudding is in the eating. You have to ensure you can use it."
- Fionnan Sheahan Political Editor
