Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08THEHAGUE597
2008-07-16 06:20:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy The Hague
how-toVZCZCXRO7868 RR RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ RUEHROV DE RUEHTC #0597 1980620 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 160620Z JUL 08 FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1737 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS THE HAGUE 000597
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL NL EU
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS: LISBON TREATY RATIFIED
On July 8, the Dutch Senate voted in favor of the Lisbon
Treaty, completing the ratification process for the
Netherlands, the 21st EU country to ratify the Lisbon
Treaty. This comes after the lower house of Parliament
previously approved the treaty on June 5. Despite the "No"
vote by Ireland, the Netherlands continued to move forward
with the ratification process. Approval of this treaty
comes after the Dutch "vetoed" the 2005 European
Constitutional Treaty through a public referendum. Not
taking chances this time, the Balkenende government decided
to leave ratification up to the Parliament. The government
was able to avoid a popular vote since the treaty had no
constitutional implications, therefore avoiding the
possibility of a public "No" vote on the treaty. Foreign
Minister Maxime Verhagen said, "The Lisbon Treaty
strengthens the position of the national parliaments in
Europe while placing clearer boundaries on the powers of
the EU and the member states. It's a modest treaty without
constitutional aspirations." European Affairs Minister
Frans Timmermans added, "This treaty is essential to making
the European Union work more decisively and
democratically. To achieve progress in important areas
like climate change, energy security, safety and security,
asylum and migration, Europeans will have to work together
more readily and effectively. With a Union of 27 member
states, you need clear ground rules. The Lisbon Treaty
provides them."
Gallagher
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL NL EU
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS: LISBON TREATY RATIFIED
On July 8, the Dutch Senate voted in favor of the Lisbon
Treaty, completing the ratification process for the
Netherlands, the 21st EU country to ratify the Lisbon
Treaty. This comes after the lower house of Parliament
previously approved the treaty on June 5. Despite the "No"
vote by Ireland, the Netherlands continued to move forward
with the ratification process. Approval of this treaty
comes after the Dutch "vetoed" the 2005 European
Constitutional Treaty through a public referendum. Not
taking chances this time, the Balkenende government decided
to leave ratification up to the Parliament. The government
was able to avoid a popular vote since the treaty had no
constitutional implications, therefore avoiding the
possibility of a public "No" vote on the treaty. Foreign
Minister Maxime Verhagen said, "The Lisbon Treaty
strengthens the position of the national parliaments in
Europe while placing clearer boundaries on the powers of
the EU and the member states. It's a modest treaty without
constitutional aspirations." European Affairs Minister
Frans Timmermans added, "This treaty is essential to making
the European Union work more decisively and
democratically. To achieve progress in important areas
like climate change, energy security, safety and security,
asylum and migration, Europeans will have to work together
more readily and effectively. With a Union of 27 member
states, you need clear ground rules. The Lisbon Treaty
provides them."
Gallagher