Irish referendum upsets Brussels

The President of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Poettering, has suggested that the EU enlargement should be suspended after Ireland voted against the Lisbon treaty at a national referendum. Poettering said that Ireland's refusal to back the document which provides for a greater democracy and efficiency in the European Union, is worth a particular regret.

The results of the Irish referendum witnesses the crisis of the European Union, noted Poettering. He believes that until the Lisbon Treaty comes into force, the accession of new members, including Croatia, "should not take place", reports the Russian news agency Itar-Tass.