EU leaders tread carefully ahead of Irish treaty vote

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2008

BRUSSELS (AFP) — With a potentially perilous European treaty referendum approaching in Ireland, EU leaders are doing their utmost to avoid any sensitive issues that might encourage a "No" vote and spark a new crisis.

Whether it be defence or farm policy, taxes or the budget, the leaders are keeping a low profile ahead of June 12 when the only referendum on the European Union's Lisbon Treaty of reforms among any of the 27 EU nations is held.

A rejection of the treaty, which will streamline decision making, would be a disaster for the EU, which has barely recovered from the fallout after French and Dutch voters rejected its draft constitution in 2005.

"Let's hope the Lisbon Treaty is ratified. If it is not done, we will all pay a price for it," European...