The Hindu : International : Rejection of the treaty will trigger crisis, warn European leaders

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Friday, Jun 03, 2005

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International

Rejection of the treaty will trigger crisis, warn European leaders

No one has answers on European Union's future, says Berlusconi

LONDON: European leaders, facing a crisis over the second resounding defeat for a proposed E.U. Constitution, called for calm reflection on the future of their 25-member Union.

Preliminary results showed a 62 per cent ``no'' vote on Wednesday in a Netherlands referendum on the charter, following the 55 per cent ``no'' verdict by French voters just three days earlier.

``The crisis surrounding the ratification of the European Constitution must not become Europe's general crisis,'' said German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.

Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi said on Thursday that no one had any answers yet on Europe's future following the two ``no'' votes.

``These are questions we're all asking ourselves,'' Mr. Berlusconi said. ``There's no one who today has a definitive response that's valid for everyone,'' the Italy's ANSA and Apcom news agencies quoted him as saying.

French President Jacques Chirac said the Dutch vote ``shows strong expectations, questions and concerns about the development of the European project.''

The statement issued by Mr. Chirac's office called for a period of analysis of implications of the twin defeats. But many felt there was no point in pressing on with attempts to ratify the Constitution.

``I think it's the end of the story now that two important countries have said no,'' said Dutch Opposition leader Wouter Bos, who had supported the treaty.

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, who is expected to announce next week whether Britain will go ahead with a referendum, said the result of the French and Dutch votes ``now raises profound questions for all of us about the future direction of Europe.''

Mr. Straw said, however, that a European Union that has now expanded to 25 nations needs new structures and cannot simply walk away from the Constitution project.

Ten countries have ratified the treaty, but it needs a unanimous ``yes'' from all 25, either by referendum or parliamentary vote.

``In an era of globalisation, when nations need to find new ways to work together to tackle new problems, Europe needs to be capable of giving citizens the prosperity, security, and social justice they require in ways which fit the modern world,'' Mr. Straw said.

Mr. Schroeder, in Germany, said the two votes signalled deep unease about the development of the European Union.

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