Without the EU, Russia would run rings around us, claims Ahern
Calling for a yes vote in the Lisbon treaty referendum, he said Ireland had enjoyed huge economic benefits from being a member of the EU. Among those was the fact the EU could negotiate as a large trading bloc with Russia on energy prices. If individual member states had to negotiate individually with Russia, they would have far less influence and pay far more for Russian gas, and failing to ratify the Lisbon treaty could see Ireland isolated, he suggested. “We in Ireland are the most dependent of all of the countries in Europe on ultimately, Russian gas,” he said. “The Russians will run rings around us if we are not coherent and united in the negotiations.” This reality did not just apply to energy prices and Russia, he said. It was also true of negotiations with other global powers, such as China over the issue of Darfur. European Affairs Minister Dick Roche pointed out that a no vote could have a negative effect on the euro and the economy. “Ireland as the country that has the most open economy, that is most dependent in terms of creating jobs, most dependent in terms of our economy and exports, will certainly not be serviced by a no vote,” he said.
Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin said the EU was now at a crossroads and Ireland would decide the union’s future path.
