Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08THEHAGUE600
2008-07-17 10:55:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy The Hague
how-toVZCZCXRO9589 RR RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ RUEHROV DE RUEHTC #0600 1991055 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 171055Z JUL 08 FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1740 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS THE HAGUE 000600
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