FORMER UN CHIEF:FORMER UN secretary general Kofi Annan has called on Ireland to vote in favour of the Lisbon Treaty.
Speaking yesterday in Brussels, Mr Annan said he could not imagine Ireland "turning its back" on Europe. "I call on the Irish people to vote Yes for the Lisbon Treaty," he told reporters. "We need a strong Europe."
He added that the treaty would enable the EU to deal more efficiently with challenges such as climate change and global problems such as the security of food supplies. Mr Annan paid tribute to the role Ireland plays in the UN, particularly its peacekeeping operations, and said he hoped it would "continue with this tradition into the future".
The former secretary general made the remarks after meeting with the president of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Pöttering.
Mr Annan was in Brussels to attend the Energy Globe Awards. The awards promote the use of clean and renewable energy.