Cowen urges Yes vote after EC endorsement

FOREIGN AFFAIRS Minister Brian Cowen said the Brussels announcement that candidate states were ready to join the European Union underlined the need for a Yes vote on the Nice Treaty.

The European Commission effectively gave accession states its seal of approval yesterday, but Mr Cowen said the only question mark that now loomed over enlargement was how the Irish people would vote on the Nice Treaty.

“The candidate countries have made huge efforts, and the transformations they are continuing to undergo have involved commitment and courage. It is now up to the EU to play its part. If enlargement is to take place as planned, Nice must be ratified,” Mr Cowen said.