Prodi tells meeting neutrality not affected by Treaty of Nice

European Commission President, Mr Romano Prodi, yesterday attempted to dispel fears that the country's neutrality could be affected by the Treaty of Nice. Conscious of the impact the issue had during the referendum, Mr Prodi referred frequently to it during and after a speech in University College, Cork.

He insisted there is "no intention" of turning the proposed 60,000-strong Rapid Reaction Force into an EU army. He said: "I know Ireland has a long tradition of neutrality. But this has not prevented your country from playing its full role in peacekeeping missions under the United Nations flag. It is hard to see why playing the same role under an EU flag would be any different.

"It is designed to restore peace and order in conflict situations, and Irish troops assigned to it will remain Irish troops. The deployment of Irish troops will be the result of sovereign decisions taken on a case-by-case basis here in Ireland."

The EU needs to be able to resolve conflicts on its borders, he argued: "At the time of the ethnic cleansing in Bosnia and Kosovo, citizens all over Europe were asking `Why does the EU not do something?'.

"I know that people here in Ireland were very concerned - and many of them angry at the apparent ineptitude of what is the greatest economic grouping in the world."

Puzzled by the focus on military matters, he said other EU neutrals saw no problem with the Nice Treaty. The Rapid Reaction Force was set up under the Treaty of Amsterdam: "It had nothing to do with Nice," he declared.

Dealing with the implications of the No vote, he insisted once more that ratification by all 15 EU states, including Ireland, is legally necessary: "Without it, it will fall." But enlargement cannot happen without the changes contained in the treaty that are designed to ensure that the institutions of a 27-strong union are not "paralysed".

Though he said he was "certainly disappointed" and "worried" by the Irish No, he said he fully respected the outcome: "But it is hard for me to understand exactly why they voted as they did."

"I cannot believe that they voted against the EU as a whole, or against enlargement. I can't believe that," he said, though it was possible they had expressed "incomprehension" and "discontent" at the way decisions are made.

"If that is so, the vote Ireland delivered on June 7th sends European leaders a clear signal that ordinary citizens do not feel involved enough in European affairs, that they are not ready simply to endorse decisions taken by committees and conferences, meeting behind closed doors, and that `business as usual' is no longer an option.

"I have much sympathy with such sentiments. We do need a new way of doing things in Europe," said Mr Prodi, who was welcomed by the President of UCC, Prof G.T. Wrixon.

Still hopeful that voters will change their minds, he said: "I understand the people of Ireland need more time and opportunity to consider what is actually in the treaty. It is not about issues such as abortion and divorce. It is not about new military alliances, or compulsory military service. It is not about an opposition of interests between large and small member states."

Told by one guest that Ireland is "proud to be the only EU country" to have put the Treaty of Nice to a referendum, he referred to the low turnout, replying: "You are saying that you are proud to have a referendum but very few of you are proud to be proud," he said.

Displaying regular flashes of humour that delighted the audience, Mr Prodi said he had been regularly told before and during the referendum campaign by his own officials that there would be "no problem" getting a Yes vote. Asked if the Government had run a poor campaign, he said: "If you believe that you are going to win in any case then you do not engage. Maybe that is the explanation."

Rejecting charges that he wants a European super-state, he said: "Let me say this quite clearly. The purpose of integration is not to abolish nationhood or to make countries give up any part of their national identity."

The full text of EU President Romano Prodi's speech at NUI Cork yesterday can be accessed at The Irish Times's website, www.ireland.com