Ireland could risk isolation in the EU if a solution to the electorate’s rejection of the Nice Treaty is not found, according to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen.
Speaking at Iveagh House this afternoon, Mr Cowen said: "Ireland’s economic, political and cultural interest must be maintained as part of the EU."
He said the Government must establish the reasons why voters rejected the treaty and "solve the problem in a way that respects the Irish voters' concerns".
Mr Cowen was speaking after meetings with ambassadors from applicant countries this morning. He heard central European and Baltic countries were concerned that last Friday’s vote would delay their accession to the EU.
Mr Cowen met with EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg yesterday and thanked them for their "strong support", telling them he believed the Irish people were in favour of elargement.
Polish Prime Minister Mr Jerzy Buzek said today the rejection of the treaty means trouble for the accession states. Hungarian Finance Minister Mr Mihaly Varga said the uncertainty could cause political and financial problems in the candidate countries.
But there are a number of other issues straining relations between the EU and accession states. The Polish Prime Minister has said candidate countries would be second-class citizens in the EU because of what Czech Foreign Minister Mr Jan Kavan has described as "small-minded demands".
Among the causes for concern are protecting accession states from wealthy Western interests seeking to buy land cheaply, and the proposed seven-year moratorium on the free movement of labour for new citizens.
Mr Cowen will meet Slovenian Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Dimitrij Rupel this afternoon. The President, Mrs McAleese, will visit Slovenia later this month.