Minister Vilén greets early results of Irish referendum with satisfaction

Minister Jari Vilén, who is the Cabinet member responsible for the EU enlargement negotiations, greets with great satisfaction the preliminary news that the Irish people seem to have accepted the Nice Treaty. The decision on the Nice Treaty was brought to national referendum only in Ireland whereas all the other EU member countries had already, by ordinary parliamentary procedures, ratified the Treaty.

“The Irish voters recognised their responsibility and did not take anything for granted. Without overemphasising the importance of the issues at stake it can be said that the Nice Treaty is of historic importance to the whole Europe, including some 100 million people in the candidate countries, who are eager to participate in the common effort of building peace and prosperity on our continent”, says Minister Vilén.

In their first referendum on the Treaty in June 2001, the Irish did not feel themselves sufficiently convinced of all its aspects. Information on it had not been sufficient and had not reached the whole population.

More clarity was needed especially on the actual possibilities of Ireland´s parliament to have a say on the legislation which was initiated by the Union. Also Ireland´s traditional and highly cherished military neutrality needed more secure guarantees in the face of the emerging new European Security and Defence Policy.

The government of Ireland has carried out a huge amount of work in their campaign for the Treaty clarifying the important issues, securing guarantees for parliamentary democracy and military neutrality. It has, literally, spread the information on the Nice Treaty to each and every home in the country. Ministers and members of the parliament have personally been knocking on the doors of the voters and explaining the issues.

“I am very pleased to say that after the referendum on 19 October we can all be assured that Ireland will continue to be at the heart of Europe and that the EU will continue to develop with the full strength of all its members”, says Minister Vilén.

Further information: Ukko Metsola, Special Adviser to the Minister, gsm +358-40-7854257

Counting of votes of the Irish referendum can be monitored online(Link to another website.)