Sunday, 4 October 2009Irish workers count ballot papers for second referendum on European Union's Lisbon Treaty in Dublin, 03 Oct 2009Irish voters have approved the European Union's Lisbon Treaty, in a repeat referendum on the issue.
Election officials announced Saturday that more than 67 percent of voters supported the treaty in Friday's vote.
IrishPrime Minister Brian Cowen welcomed what he called a "resounding yes"to the treaty, which is aimed at streamlining the decision making inthe 27-nation bloc. Cowen called the vote a good day for Ireland andfor Europe.
EU leaders also welcomed the results.
EuropeanCommission President Jose Manuel Barroso said he sees the "yes" vote asa sign of confidence in the European Union and the role it has playedin responding to the economic crisis.
Irishvoters rejected the treaty in a first referendum last year, because offears Ireland could lose sovereignty on issues such as abortion andmilitary neutrality.
Friday's second vote was held after EU leaders reaffirmed Ireland's control over those issues.
The treaty is a modified version of a proposed EU constitution that failed when French and Dutch voters rejected it in 2005.
All27 EU members must ratify the treaty before it can take effect. Irelandis the only EU member constitutionally required to subject theagreement to a national popular vote.
In addition to Ireland, Poland and the Czech Republic have not yet completed the ratification process.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
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Sunday, 4 October 2009
VOA News
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