PM: Irish rejection will not threaten standard functioning of EU

Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek said on Friday that Ireland’s rejection of the Lisbon treaty was a complication for the European Union. He added, however, that it would not threaten the standard functioning of the union. Mr Topolánek stressed that the final results and further steps would need to be discussed at the European Council meeting in Brussels next week. He also made it clear that the Czech Republic would continue preparing for its EU presidency as planned for January 1 next year.