European Commission President Mr Romano Prodi urged Ireland again today to rethink its rejection of the Nice Treaty, saying the EU could be enlarged without its ratification but this would be a mistake.
In an article for Italy's Corriere della Seranewspaper he quoted lawyers as saying the EU could still open its doors to new states even if not all current members ratified the treaty.
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"But the real problem is a political one and, as a politician, I have to warn against the temptation of thinking enlargement can go ahead as planned if Nice fails. That would be a serious mistake," Mr Prodi wrote.
"To my Irish friends I say 'Look at Nice, think about the implications and when you are ready, we will be here to answer your concerns'," Mr Prodi wrote in today's front-page article.
"But remember that the decision, which only you can take, will have a decisive impact on the future of the whole continent," Mr Prodi said.
He said other EU members should discuss openly with their people the implications of the Nice Treaty.
PA