MaltaMedia.com

Official results show that 67% of the Irish electorate voted in favour of the Lisbon Treaty. Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen called it a “clear and resounding” endorsement.

“The Irish people have spoken with a clear and resounding voice,” Mr Cowen said in a brief statement to reporters. “It is a good day for Ireland and a good day for Europe.”

The Nationalist Party welcomed the vote and said that this brought the treaty a step closer to implementation, even if it still had to be signed by Poland and the Czech Republic. The PN said the treaty would help decisions to be taken more quickly while creating the new post of president and stronger leader for foreign policy.

The PN also said that a more effective EU would mean a stronger EU ready to take on the challenges facing it on a daily basis and transforming them into opportunities for its member states. The PN was looking at the EU’s future with confidence and enthusiasm and added that the yes vote in Ireland would mean further success and opportunities for Malta as a member in the EU.

The Labour Party also welcomed the vote in favour of the Lisbon Treaty as this has now brought to an end a period of great uncertainty in the EU. The PL urged the EU to immediately adopt and implement the Lisbon Treaty so as to help member states in this current economic crisis.

The PL praised the Irish for looking after their interests first and not adopting the treaty before delicate and precise negotiations had taken place so as to make sure that its implementation would not diminish their rights on neutrality, abortion, the right for an Irish Commissioner on a permanent basis, tax impositions and other measures that could have affected Irish security and defence policies.

The European Commission President, Jose Manuel Barroso, praised the Irish “vote of confidence” in the EU, which he said showed a “desire to be a wholehearted member” of the EU.

The focus will now turn to Polish President Lech Kaczynski and Czech President Vaclav Klaus, whose signatures are needed to complete ratification in both countries.

The Polish president has previously indicated that he would sign the treaty soon after a Yes vote in Ireland. But Mr Klaus has given little indication of when he would be prepared to take the same step, amid a fresh court challenge against the text. The treaty needs to be ratified in all 27 member states to come into force.

The treaty would also mean Malta gets a sixth seat in the EU. The national parliament, like the other national parliaments in EU states, would have a greater say in EU law-making, while Malta would retain its Commissioner in the European Commission.