” “While the second session of the Council of Europe, in progress in Brussels, is starting this morning, there are difficulties to assume a common position in order to go on with the ratifications of the Lisbon Treaty, enabling its coming into force before European parliament elections in June 2009. During yesterday evening’s dinner, the heads of State and government listened to the interpretation of the referendum rejection supplied by Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen. The head of the Czech government, Mirek Topolanek, added that "there are many perplexities" in his country, too, even though the leaders present acknowledged that all countries should pronounce on the Treaty as soon as possible. Every decision seems to be postponed to the extraordinary summit, already fixed by the future French presidency in mid October. The Council did not take any special decisions, not even in relation to the escalation of food prices, referring the proposals of solutions to the Barroso Commission. On the other hand, the 27 member states approved the entrance of Slovakia, which is now waiting to know the exchange of its national currency into euro from Ecofin, on 8th July. Summit conclusions are expected early in the afternoon.
