Rehn: EU treaty change could require referendum

There is going to have to be significant EU treaty change within the next few years to enable further EU integration, according to the EU Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs, Olli Rehn.

If there is an EU-wide treaty change, then it would mean a referendum in this country, which would be a huge challenge either for this Government or the next administration.

“In the medium-term — 18 months to five years — we envisage further integration involving treaty changes. Our guiding principle is that any steps towards increased solidarity and mutualisation of risk would have to be combined with increased responsibility; that is, with further sharing of budgetary sovereignty and deeper integration of decision-making,” said Mr Rehn.