Highlights
– French President Nicolas Sarkozy speaks out against Irish “no” vote to Lisbon Treaty
– Sarkozy travels to Ireland, plans to meet with Taoiseach
– Meeting will likely yield little to no results; Irish remain adamant in disdain for treaty
On July 21, 2008, French President Nicolas Sarkozy traveled to Dublin, Ireland to meet with newly elected Taoiseach, Brian Cowen. The trip, which is expected to last less than six hours, centers on an intended meeting between the two Premiers as they attempt to discuss and possibly forge a solution to the current European Union (EU) standstill in the wake of the fervent “no” vote Irish voters gave to the Lisbon Treaty.
Anticipating the meeting, several hundred Irish protesters rallied in Dublin, holding true to the opinion that the much-anticipated Lisbon Treaty should be discarded. As we previously reported, in December 2007 EU leaders traveled to Lisbon, Portugal to sign the at times, controversial, reform treaty (Previous Report). The so-called, “Treaty of Lisbon,” effectively replaces prior attempts to establish an EU-wide constitution. Akin to the formerly rejected EU constitution, the treaty includes plans for a European foreign policy supreme officer and a permanent EU president. Similar to its appeal for a stronger EU, the new treaty drops all references to a EU flag or anthem; two highly controversial elements of prior referendums.
The fate of the Lisbon Treaty was thrown into question in June 2008 when Irish voters said “no” to the planned reforms. Thus, the new treaty, originally slated to achieve its stated purpose, to improve and strengthen the EU’s “footprint” on the world stage, may falter in the wake of oppositionists, claiming the treaty is a step towards a federalized Europe.
Further, it is unlikely French President Sarkozy’s visit to Ireland will yield concrete results. Rather, it is likely the Premier’s visit will leave Irish voters further entrenched in their beliefs. Thus, despite initial praise and high hopes once given to the treaty, it will likely be a long and increasingly difficult road ahead as so-called “eurosceptics” appear entrenched in their beliefs the treaty is proof of an onward step towards a federalized Europe and therefore must be abandoned.
Sarkozy Meets Cowen
On July 21, 2008, French President Sarkozy arrived in Dublin for his scheduled meeting with Irish Taoiseach, Brian Cowen. Following earlier calls in July 2008 for Ireland to hold a second referendum on the EU treaty, Sarkozy chose to meet with Cowen in person, likely in an attempt to push his agenda. President Sarkozy’s standpoint is that 23 countries chose to ratify the Lisbon Treaty, and that the support shown for the treaty is worthy of recognition, despite the views of Irish voters.
Accompanying Sarkozy, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner stressed the French’s intention to proceed in its mission, however downplaying Sarkozy’s opinion stating, the mission is merely meant to listen to Irish views stating, “I believe what we shall do on Monday is listen to them, but we’re not visiting them in our capacity as the French (EU) presidency. We’ll listen to the parties, to civil society, to the intellectuals…To say that this is can be settled quickly is not true. Time is needed.”
In the lead up to the meeting, Taoiseach Cowen expressed his intention to remain strong on the issue, purportedly presenting a message to Sarkozy to back off, stating, “We need patience and understanding from our partners over the coming months as we complete that process.” He continued, “I fully respect the verdict of the Irish people, and I have made that clear to my European colleagues. And I have made clear that I expect them to do likewise.”
Plans for Treaty Falter
Despite initial praise and high hopes once given to the Lisbon Treaty, it will likely be a long and increasingly difficult road ahead as so-called “eurosceptics” appear entrenched in their beliefs the treaty is proof of an onward step towards a federalized Europe and therefore must be abandoned.
Specifically, as extremist nationalism continues to rise at a quickening pace across the continent it is likely future “anti-EU” individuals and subsequent nationalist organizations will increase spouting indignant protest against the idea of a unified Europe for the sake of maintaining his/her own nation’s identity.
Finally, as a testament to these views, a spokeswoman for the Irish political party, on July 21, 2008, leading up to President Sarkozy’s meeting with Cowen, Sinn Fein asserted, “There can’t be any re-run. A new treaty is required. He (Sarkozy) needs to listen to this.”
