Kopstukken Europese Unie klaar voor nieuwe verdrag blijkt in debat Europees Parlement (en)

The European Parliament was crowded on Wednesday afternoon when Fredrik Reinfeldt addressed the MEP’s and answered their questions on how the Presidency will continue to lead the EU in institutional matters.

"I am pleased to have the opportunity to come here so soon after the Irish referendum. It is a good decision for Ireland and a good decision for Europe. We in the European Council are united in our wish for the Treaty to enter into force before the end of the year, provided it has been ratified by all Member States", said Fredrik Reinfeldt in his speech.

"It is the work of all three EU institutions to prepare for the transition to the new Treaty – the Commission, the Council and Parliament. It is important that we cooperate to get it into place. I am looking forward to this cooperation."

Fredrik Reinfeldt was clear about the need to get the Lisbon Treaty into place as soon as possible. And he was supported by most of the group leaders in the European Parliament, as well as by the President of the Commission.

"All EU Member States have already ratified the Treaty, through their parliaments or through referenda. In a democratic sense, the Treaty has already been ratified, but we now must conclude the formal process as soon as possible by the signatures of the Polish and Czech Presidents. I am ready to start the work on getting a new Commission into place as soon as the legal provisions are made”, said the President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso.

In his speech, EPP group leader Joseph Daul, called on the Polish and Czech presidents to sign the Lisbon Treaty as quickly as possible and said that Ireland’s strong yes in Friday’s referendum should send a clear message to the two presidents.

S &D group leader Martin Schulz agreed with the previous speaker and pointed out that a lot is at stake if the Treaty does not enter into force soon. Otherwise, he stated, Europe will be divided and the global voice of the EU will be silenced at a time when the EU must stick together for the world to be able to meet the greatest global challenge of our time.

”It has taken us eight years to get here. The Lisbon Treaty and Europe has the strong support of EU citizens. Now we must move on. We cannot afford to wait”, said the ALDE group leader Guy Verhofstadt.