The EU expresses thanks to the Irish people

After Irish government officials declared victory in Friday’s referendum, the European Commission President Jose Manual Barroso smiled. He thanked the Irish people and said he was extremely happy.

“I want to congratulate the Irish people for reaching the overwelming decision after such a long and careful deliberation. Ireland recognises the role that EU has played in responding to the economic crisis” said Barroso.

He heralded it as a great day for the European Union.

The Lisbon Treaty was designed to make the EU institutions more efficient.

The President of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek was more cautious in his reaction: “We should also think about those who were answering ‘no’ because it is our habit, our custom, to think about all Europeans. I can assure I will work very hard so you feel it is our common Europe. Let us write our common European history.”

The Ratification of the Lisbon Treaty is not assured. Poland and the Czech Republic still must agree.

The Czech President Vaclav Klaus has already signalled his resistance to signing the treaty despite approval of it in the Czech parliament.

Copyright © 2009 euronews

tags: Jerzy Buzek, José Manuel Barroso, referendum