Cowen to discuss Lisbon in Sweden, Finland

Taoiseach Brian Cowen will fly to Scandinavia this week to discuss the fallout from Ireland's rejection of the Lisbon Treaty among other topics.

Mr Cowen will depart for Sweden and Finland on Thursday, where he will hold talks with prime ministers Fredrik Reinfeldt and Matti Vanhanen ahead of December’s European Council.

A Government spokesman said the Taoiseach will first meet Mr Vanhanen in Helsinki, where climate change, energy package and the international financial crisis will also be tabled.

Mr Cowen plans to meet the Finnish president Tarja Halonen while in the capital.

On Friday, the Taoiseach will travel to Stockholm where he will have consultations with Mr Reinfeldt.

“Discussions are expected again to centre on the Lisbon Treaty, the international financial crisis and the climate change and energy package negotiations, as well as on Sweden’s priorities for the Presidency of the European Union which it is preparing to assume next July,” said the spokesman.

Mr Cowen will return to Dublin on Friday.

The Irish electorate rejected the Lisbon Treaty in June. Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin said earlier this month the Government will decide on whether to hold another referendum before an EU summit in Brussels on December 11th.