European Union foreign ministers have signed the Treaty of Nice, putting into legal form the agreement on reforming EU decision-making that was reached at December's summit. But the treaty will not come into effect until it is ratified by all 15 member-states, a process that could take almost a year.
Most member-states will ratify the treaty in parliament, but the Government has indicated that a referendum will be held in Ireland, probably in May.
The ministers interrupted their monthly meeting in Brussels to fly to Nice for the signing. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, said the signature marked an important step towards enlarging the EU.
"The treaty provides for reform in the institutions and decision-making procedures which will equip an enlarged Union to function effectively, while maintaining important balances. From a national perspective, Ireland has an obvious interest in the success of enlargement and in a well-functioning European Union," he said.
The Nice summit was the longest in the EU's history and was among the most rancorous. Critics of the treaty, who include the Commission President, Mr Romano Prodi, complain that its reforms are too timid and that it could become more difficult, not less, to reach decisions.
But Mr Cowen said the overall outcome of the treaty negotiations were satisfactory from an Irish point of view.
"We are particularly pleased that, in relation to a major negotiating priority, it was possible to maintain the requirement for unanimity on taxation. At the same time, it was possible to extend qualified majority voting to some 30 further areas. This will make it harder for a single member-state to block proposals of interest to ourselves and our partners," he said.
Mr Cowen predicted that the EU recommendation criticising December's Budget would have little impact on the outcome of a referendum on the treaty.
And he denied that the Government's robust response to the criticism represented a shift in Ireland's policy towards Europe.
"Our national interests have a significant European dimension. Our national interests lie in the continued integration of the European economy," he said.
Mr Cowen said that the Minister for Finance and the Tanaiste spoke for the entire Government when they rejected the Commission's warning that the Budget could fuel inflation. He said he deliberately stayed out of the debate to avoid being perceived as being out of step with Mr McCreevy.
The Minister claimed that the row over the Budget had not affected Ireland's relationship with its EU partners, but he acknowledged that its image in Europe was changing.
"We are in transition as to how we are being viewed in Europe. But that's a good thing," he said.
The Green MEP, Ms Patricia McKenna, called on the Government last night to "stop being coy" about whether it would call a referendum on the Treaty of Nice and to announce a date.
