European body demands Nice Treaty vote be respected

In a statement issued today, the European Futures Congress (EFC), which gathers participants from eastern and western Europe, strongly demanded that the result of the Irish referendum on the Treaty of Nice be respected.

Saying that disrespect of the ‘no' vote will increase EU-criticism, the EFC hold that: "It means that the treaty has fallen, since all member states have to ratify it."

The EFC said that they "regret the arrogance expressed by the European Union leaders towards a small state, Ireland, that has simply followed the legal rules. This arrogance will, no doubt, only increase euro-scepticism in many of the applicant countries."

The organisation said that disrespect of the Irish vote sends a clear signal to the applicant countries that "the clearly expressed decision of the people will not be accepted. It should be noted that many of the applicant countries have growing EU critical movements and public opinion is swinging towards a 'no' vote on joining the EU."

According to the EFC, what it calls the "arrogant message" from the EU-institutions will make public support of the Union fall. "If the EU-leaders are interested in building legitimate institutions, the present lack of public support should be of serious concern.

"But their handling of the Nice-referendum on Ireland shows that they are more eager to push a federal agenda, which will divide Europe."

The statement was signed by people from Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Romania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Hungary, France and Germany.