Minister of State Treacy to attend Friends of the European Constitution meeting in Madrid
The Minister of State for European Affairs, Mr. Noel Treacy, T.D., will attend an informal meeting of Ministers for European Affairs to discuss the European Constitution in Madrid on Friday, 26th January.
The Spanish and Luxembourg Governments convened the meeting, entitled “Friends of the European Constitution, for a better Europe,” with a view to bolstering support for the Constitution and to assisting the German Presidency in its efforts to find a way forward. Attendance is envisaged at Minister of State, European Affairs level.
Commenting earlier today, Minister of State Treacy, said: “We share our hosts’ objective of bringing the Constitution into force as soon as possible. We will underline our firm support for the Constitution. I will also signal Ireland’s strong backing for the Presidency in its efforts to chart the way forward.”
He continued: “As to the Constitution, Ireland sees no realistic alternative to the balance and substance of the text agreed in 2004. It is a carefully constructed package that will equip the Union to meet the challenges facing us now and into the future. We do not underestimate the difficulties standing in the way of the Constitution’s ratification, but we do believe it is important for those who support the 2004 text to set out their views clearly and publicly.”
Background: The European Constitution was agreed by Heads of State and Government in June 2004, during the Irish Presidency. It has since been ratified by 18 EU Member States, representing two thirds of Member States and 280m Europeans. The Treaty was rejected by voters in the
The Irish Government is strongly committed to the European Constitution. However, the Government has deferred holding a referendum on the European Constitution until the uncertainty at EU level has been resolved.
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Press Office
25 January 2007
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