国际英语新闻：Dutch officials welcome Irish "yes" vote to Lisbon Treaty

BRUSSELS, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- Two top Dutch officials have welcomed the Irish 'yes' vote to the Lisbon Treaty, the Dutch government said on its website on Monday.

Foreign Minister Maxiem Verhagen said: "This is a big step towards a more effective and more democratic Europe.'

    "The purpose of the Treaty is, after all, to simplify decision-making in many areas and give the European Parliament a bigger role," Verhagen said, adding "there will also be a permanent president of the European Council and a High Representative for Foreign Affairs'.

    He said: "These new players will have the scope to represent the EU's interests effectively, while member states will still have a say on important issues. The Benelux countries have already outlined an approach with this in mind, which they will present to the Swedish presidency. Then we can get down to business quickly when everyone is on board."

    European Affairs Minister Frans Timmermans said that the Lisbon Treaty was "good for the European Union and good for the Netherlands".

    'I'm very pleased that the Irish have said 'yes'," Timmermans said.

    He said that Europe faces enormous challenges ranging from climate change, the credit crisis, shifts in the world order to an aging population.

    "For the EU, it's time to stop talking about rules and procedures, and get down to work," Timmermans said, adding "I hope that the Presidents of the Czech Republic and Poland, whose parliaments have already approved the Treaty, will soon add their signatures, so that the ratification process can be completed.'

    Poland has not deposited its papers and Czech President Vaclav Klaus has not granted presidential assent. Klaus, an ultra euro skeptic, now faces enormous pressure to sign the document. He had said he would not sign his name until the Irish voters had approved the treaty.

    The Lisbon Treaty, which aims to streamline decision making of the EU and make further EU enlargement possible, needs to be ratified by all 27 member states to enter into force.