By Henrietta Billings - 14th June 2005
European Commission president José Manuel Barroso has called on national governments to agree on a 'pause for reflection' before further referendums on the EU constitution.
Speaking in Brussels on the eve of the EU summit, Barroso said that there was a danger of a "contaminatory effect" of further no votes after the rejection of the treaty in France and the Netherlands.
"There are two extremes we want to avoid," said the EU president. "We don't want to just throw in the towel...we can't reasonably imagine a new negotiation.
"And we can't just pretend nothing's happened...as though we were deaf to the significance of the recent votes in the France and the Netherlands."
This scenario, he warned could have a potentially dangerous knock on effect which would trigger further no votes, and damage the public opinion of the EU.
"The best way to save the constitution is to give ourselves more time for reflection," said Barroso.
"I think this requires together we agree on a pause for reflection. I think that's best the way in which we are likely to save the constitution."
"I think we should use a break to deepen our thinking on this - we shouldn't be ashamed to say this. I think prudence is always a great virtue in politics."
Immediately after the French no vote, Barroso publicly said the ratification process should continue as normal, and denied that his appeal to leaders today meant that his stance on the ratification process had changed.
"I'm not saying we should stop the ratification process I'm just saying we should pause for reflection."
Since the French and Dutch votes, said Barroso, contacts with national governments had revealed the possible "domino effect" of the No votes which had undermined public confidence in the treaty.
"People are saying is it really worth it? if we do adopt is the constitution going come into force?"
"The best way of saving the constitution, if we want to save the constitution is to give ourselves more time for reflection."
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