The President of the European People’s Party (EPP), Wilfried Martens, welcomed the positive vote on the referendum for the Lisbon Treaty in Ireland, which according to exit polls is in excess of 60% and expressed his expectation that the Treaty will soon come into force.

“I am particularly pleased with the strong ‘Yes’ vote delivered by the Irish people on the Lisbon Treaty, according to early results – Ireland always was and will continue to be committed to the European project. I would also like to praise Fine Gael leader and EPP Vice President Enda Kenny for his leading role and statesmanship during the campaign; I am convinced that Kenny will soon be given by the people the leading political role in Ireland,” stated the EPP President.

“The Lisbon Treaty has now been ratified by every Member State in the European Union and the only thing remaining is the formal signing by the Presidents of Poland and the Czech Republic before it comes into force. I sincerely hope that the President of the Czech Republic will put aside his personal beliefs on the Treaty and accept the democratic verdict of his country’s parliament, of the parliaments of all other EU Member States, and of the Irish vote – his responsibility is to bring his country forward, not backward,” Martens added.

For more information:

Kostas Sasmatzoglou, Spokesman, Tel. +32-2-2854147
Javier Jiménez, Press Officer, Tel: +32-475480446