Lisbon vote warmly welcomed in Europe

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso today hailed the Irish “yes” vote to the Lisbon treaty as “a great day for Ireland and for Europe”.

He thanked the Irish people for delivering a “vote of confidence” in the EU after an “intense” referendum debate.

Mr Barroso, deliberately sporting a green tie to mark the occasion, declared: “The Irish people have spoken. They have said a resounding ”Yes“ to Europe. Thank you Ireland.

“I am extremely happy. All member states have now democratically approve the Lisbon Treaty, either by popular or by parliamentary vote.

“I want to congratulate the Irish people on reaching their overwhelming decision after such long and careful deliberation. I see the yes vote as a sign of confidence by the Irish people in the EU and as a sign of their desire to be wholehearted members at heart of the EU.”

Earlier he telephoned Taoiseach Brian Cowen to congratulate him on the result, and told a press conference in Brussels that the result showed that the EU had listened to Irish concerns.

Countering accusations from the “No” campaign of unfair EU interference in a national referendum, Mr Barroso insisted: “I am pleased that the European Commission helped in putting impartial and accurate information at the disposal of the Irish people.”

He said the legal guarantees offered to Ireland after their rejection of the Lisbon Treaty last year had played a “significant” role in answering Irish concerns: “It showed that the EU was ready to listen, and to react,” he said.

Asked about campaigning “scare tactics”, Mr Barroso responded: “Any campaign of fear was generated by the no campaign, with tactics such as posters about a minimum salary being imposed on Ireland by Europe.”

Former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, now leader of the Liberal Democrats in the European Parliament, said: “Today is a beautiful day for Europe. With the Irish yes, all the citizens of Europe, directly or indirectly, said yes to the Lisbon Treaty. Today is the first day of a new future for Europe, united, democratic, effective and strong.”

He went on: “With this new treaty the EU will be able to tackle important problems such as the financial and economic crisis in a more European, coherent and effective way. We will be able to speak with one voice in the world and to provide the answers our citizens need.”

UK Liberal Democrat MEP Andrew Duff added: “By ratifying the Lisbon treaty the Irish people have ensured that their interests and aspirations will always be articulated where it matters, at the centre of European affairs. Ireland has clearly and decisively added its weight to the building of a stronger, more effective and more democratic EU.”

European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek declared that Europe was “back on track” after the Irish vote:

“I strongly welcome the result of the Irish referendum. The Irish people have demonstrated true commitment to the European project. ”They reconfirmed their desire to be in the heart of Europe. This is good news for Ireland and good news for Europe.“

European cooperation would become more effective and fruitful, he said, but now the EU had to work to tackle people’s concerns about jobs, immigration and energy – while remembering that some people said “No” to Europe:

“We should not forget about those who chose to vote no. It is our habit and it is our custom to think about all Europeans. I can assure that I will work very hard to make you feel that this is our common Europe. Let us write our common European history together.”

President of the Party of European Socialists, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, said: “The Irish yes vote is a setback for all those anti-Europeans who wanted to undermine progress for people across the EU. The anti-Europeans are increasingly isolated and not in tune with people’s desire to be part of a common, democratic Europe.”