Taoiseach Brian Cowen has welcomed what he said were "measured and constructive" comments by British prime minister Gordon Brown on the outcome of the Lisbon Treaty referendum.
Mr Cowen met Mr Brown in the margins of their meetings with US president George Bush in Belfast today, where they discussed the implications of rejection of the constitutional amendment on the treaty last Friday.
In a statement afterwards, Mr Cowen acknowledged Mr Brown’s comments earlier today when he said the European Union needs time to consider its next move. "The legal position on the Lisbon treaty is that all 27 members need to sign and ratify the treaty before it comes into force,'' Mr Brown said. "A short period of reflection is necessary."
"I believe that prime minister Brown’s comments earlier today, which he repeated in our meeting, were measured and constructive, and recognise the need for the EU member states to work together calmly and constructively to find a way to deal with the undoubted difficulties which arise from the referendum result."
Mr Cowen said he will brief the leaders of all the member states at the European Council on Thursday.
He said that while he understood that the result of the referendum gave rise to deep disappointment among other EU leaders, it would be important for all the member states to work together in finding an acceptable path forward.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Cowen said the Lisbon Treaty had provided "the surest path forward" in terms of making the EU more efficient and, therefore, more amenable to Ireland's interests.
"We have to now deal with the new situation that we face," he said.
On his meeting with Mr Bush, Mr Cowen said the US president had seen "a lot of progress" in Northern Ireland during his tenure.
The US administration had been consistently supportive in terms of helping Northern Ireland through "difficult patches", Mr Cowen added.
"I also think it's important that the Americans have always emphasised the economic dividend in the peace process."