Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern TD reiterated in Dublin on Thursday that the European Union Reform Treaty would secure neutrality and tax sovereignty.
He told the National Forum on Europe that the reform treaty "secures neutrality and tax sovereignty." "It empowers Ireland to deal with the significant global challenges ahead. It's in our national interest -- that's the bottom line," according to a Foreign Ministry news release reaching here on Thursday.
"We believe that the reform treaty sets up the union to continue to take the interests of all Member States -- large and small -- into account. It recognizes our common interests while atthe same time respecting vital individual national interests, suchas taxation and defense in our case, where decisions can only be taken by unanimity," he added.
Welcoming Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the EU Commission, to the forum, Ahern said: "Throughout your term as President of the commission you have demonstrated especially strong support for the vital principle of solidarity."
According to Ahern, by signing the reform treaty in Lisbon, all27 member states reaffirmed their faith in these principles, which are central to the continued successful operation of the Union in the years ahead.
EU membership has provided Ireland opportunities "to make great progress as a nation -- to improve our standard of living, to stem the terrible flow of emigration and to create a country where we can plan a stable future for the next generations."
Ahern believed that under the reform treaty, the union can continue to make progress. "This treaty will be good for Ireland and good for Europe."
Ireland will be the only EU country which will hold a referendum on the EU Reform Treaty as stipulated by its Constitution. The referendum is highly likely to be held on June 12 although it still awaits the final go ahead from the Irish Parliament. At the moment, all parties in Ireland are busy launching their own campaigns to get the public familiarize with the EU reform treaty.
Source:Xinhua
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