Barroso herinnert Ierland aan EU- verdrag 'verplichting' (en)
EUOBSERVER / STRASBOURG - European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso has called upon Ireland - so far the only country holding a referendum on the new EU treaty - to "show its European commitment" and ratify the document.
Talking to journalists in Strasbourg on Tuesday (11 December), the commission president said he expects Dublin not to cause trouble in the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty across the EU.
The treaty, which is to be signed by 27 EU leaders in Lisbon today (13 December), is expected to be put to a popular vote in Ireland early next summer.
"I believe Ireland has been a country that has benefited a lot from the European Union, but has also given a lot to Europe," Mr Barroso said.
"I hope Ireland will show its European commitment by ratifying the treaty that is now going to be signed," he added.
Other EU states where the possibility of a referendum was debated - the Netherlands, Denmark and the UK - have said they will opt for parliamentary ratification instead, making it likely that the Irish will be the only people in Europe voting on the treaty.
Although the Irish are generally seen as having a positive outlook on Europe, the upcoming referendum is viewed with some nervousness in Brussels, with a recent opinion poll indicating some 62 percent of Irish remained undecided on the new treaty.
Some officials in Brussels have suggested that public discussions on some sensitive treaty-related issues better be avoided in order not to derail the Irish government's "yes" campaign.
Ireland's sensitivities include defence policy - stemming from the country's tradition of neutrality - as well as justice issues and any signs of a loss of power to big member states.
In 2001, the Irish caused a major upset in the EU when they voted against the EU's Nice Treaty, mainly because of neutrality concerns. The government could only approve 'Nice' after it won a second vote in 2002.
Message to the UK
Mr Barroso also had a message for Ireland's big neighbour Britain, whose prime minister Gordon Brown makes little secret of his lack of enthusiasm for the new EU treaty.
Since he took office in June, the Labour politician has kept a markedly low profile on Europe, with British media highlighting that Mr Brown will miss most of today's treaty signing ceremony arriving late after a debate in the UK parliament.
But Mr Barroso called upon Mr Brown to become more engaged in EU affairs after the treaty has been ratified, following the example of French president Sarkozy who has been an been active player on the European stage from the moment he took office.
"I hope that once the institutional issues have been settled, Britain will be in its rightful place at the centre of the European debate. We need the commitment of all partners," he stated.
"Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel are there, putting in initiatives, and I welcome that," he added. "It is in Europe's interests and in Britain's interests for Britain to do the same."