Rejected Lisbon Treaty is 'serious test' for EU - Protestant group

Ireland's no-vote against the Lisbon Treaty is a "serious test for the European Union", says the President of the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE).

The Rev Thomas Wipf said on Saturday he was "concerned" about the future of the EU and admitted that his group supported the treaty "for the further development of the EU into a community of values".

He argued that the new EU treaty would give people in Europe more opportunities to be involved in the political process, citing the obligation it imposes on the EU to engage in "open, transparent and regular dialogue" with the churches and faith communities.

"From the Protestant perspective, despite some points of criticism, the new treaty therefore represents an improved basis for the co-existence of individuals and states in Europe. In this respect the Irish decision against the Lisbon Treaty is regrettable," he said.

Rev Wipf admitted that the EU needed to become more transparent.

"The problem with the EU is that people no longer understand what is going on at a European level," he said. "It is not just a matter of communicating the content of European politics better. The basic problem with the EU is a lack of democracy. Citizens cannot see how they can influence European decisions."

He maintained, however, that the EU was still a "successful contribution to the safeguarding of peace" after World War II that should be further developed.

"This process must go on. We want the future of Europe to be discussed now, and not just national questions," he said.

EU leaders will meet in Luxembourg on Monday in an attempt to save the treaty before a crisis summit in Brussels on Thursday.