The formal ratification of the Nice Treaty by Ireland was welcomed this afternoon by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen.
"I
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Minister for Foreign Affairs
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am delighted that, in formally ratifying the Treaty of Nice, Ireland has today made it possible for the Treaty to enter into force on February 1st. This is a further vital step towards enlargement, which will now take place on the basis of this weekend's historic agreement at Copenhagen," he said.
"In voting for Nice last October, the Irish people played their part in making it possible for ten new Member States join the Union. They will now sign an Accession Treaty in the spring and become full Member States during Ireland's Presidency of the EU in 2004," he added.