By Martin Banks - 28th May 2009
I am optimistic the Irish will vote 'yes' next time
Luc van den Brande
The president of the Committee of the Regions (CoR) said that a second Irish rejection of the stalled Lisbon treaty would be "disastrous" for the EU.
Luc Van den Brande told this website the controversial treaty is "absolutely necessary" to achieve the EU's goals.
"This is not, as has been claimed by some, in order to build a supranational state, a European equivalent of the United States, but rather to build up Europe and give it better governance," he said.
The Irish are set to vote in the autumn for the second time on the treaty, having rejected it in 2008.
"Given that latest opinion polls point to a 56 per cent approval rating, I am optimistic the Irish will vote 'yes' next time," said the Belgian politician.
If approved, van den Brande says the treaty will give the CoR an "enhanced" role in the EU decision-making process.
"For the first time, for example, the CoR will have the power to go to the European courts where the principle of subsidiarity is deemed to have been breached."
In a wide-ranging interview, van den Brande, who is also a member of the Council of Europe, admitted that the CoR still faces an uphill struggle making its voice heard.
While admitting it "could take up to ten years" before its role is "fully" taken seriously, he added, "There is no doubt that people now realise that the CoR has a unique role to play in bridging the gap between Brussels and local and regional representatives in our member states."
Looking to the new parliament, which will emerge after next week's European elections, he said it was "vital" that mainstream political parties unite to resist the rise of the extreme right.
"There is a real threat the far-right could gain a foothold in the new parliament and we must all fight this together," he said.
