PM: Irish rejection of Lisbon Treaty will not threaten standard functioning of EU

Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek has said that Ireland's apparent rejection of the EU reform treaty, while a complication for the European Union, will not threaten the standard functioning of the 27-member bloc. The Czech leader stressed that the final results and further steps would need to be discussed at the European Council meeting in Brussels. EU leaders meet next week. The prime minister also stressed the “No” vote needed to be taken no less seriously than the rejection of the original EU constitution, turned down by French and Dutch voters in 2005. He did make clear at a press onference on Friday that the Czech Republic would continue preparing for its EU presidency as planned for January 1 next year. The Lisbon Treaty was meant to reform the functioning of the EU, introducing a long-term president of the European Council as well as a stronger foreign policy head. To be adopted the treaty needed to be ratified in all 27 EU states.