French President Nicolas Sarkozy has warned the European Parliament that Ireland holds referendum on Lisbon Treaty ...
Merkel drums up support for EU Treaty in Ireland ... the EU must not waste time on more negotiations over the Lisbon Treaty.
In a speech to MEPs in Strasbourg, Mr Sarkozy said Europe "must not be condemned to inaction".
He said the Republic of Ireland's rejection of the EU's Lisbon reform treaty in June must not lead to "some sort of institutional soap opera".
France aims to propose a solution before the end of this year, he said.
"It is Europe's duty to act right now," he said, presenting French priorities.
France assumed the six-month presidency of the EU on 1 July.
Despite the controversy over ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, France has an ambitious agenda, including reaching a deal on an EU immigration pact and a deal on climate change targets.
The Lisbon Treaty must be ratified by all 27 member states to come into force. Only Ireland opted to hold a referendum on the treaty.
The treaty is intended to streamline EU decision-making following enlargement of the bloc, creating a new EU president and foreign affairs chief.
EU leaders are due to meet in October to hear proposals from Ireland's prime minister about how to move forward after the "No" vote.
"I will go to Ireland on 21 July to listen and talk and try to find solutions," Mr Sarkozy said on Thursday.
"The French presidency will propose a method and, I hope, a solution either in October or in December."
(BBC)
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